13 Friday Nov 2015
Posted in anouncement
Want to win some bad@$$ fantasy books? How about a Kindle Fire? Yeah, I thought so.
Well, I’ve teamed up with the above awesome ladies to bring you just that! Enter the Rafflecopter here and spread the word to earn more points. Don’t forget, sharing is caring!
18 Saturday Apr 2015
Posted in anouncement
Feast your eyes on that gorgeous signature!
I realize it’s been a bit silent around here these past few days and I apologize, but I have been busy. Remember that Facebook party I was talking about? Well, we now have 11 awesome YA authors lined up for fun and games on the 25th, not two mention two giveaways going on now!
Sadly, not signed, but brand new. Look, it’s even shining in the photo.
The first giveaway is for a signed copy of Jadie Jones’ Moonlit to whomever can bring in the most people to the event. The second is a random drawing once we reach 250 attendees for a shiny new copy of Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers or, for guests outside the US, the eBook of your choice up to $4.99. You can check out the lineup and times of authors below and find the event here. So invite lots of people, tell lots of people, and don’t forget to join yourself for the chance to win!
Event Schedule ~ Saturday, April 25th. All times CST:
9 am: R E Sheahan ~ Storm of Arannon
10 am: T. L. Shreffler ~ Sora’s Quest
11 am: Nancy Chase, Author ~ The Seventh Magpie
12 pm / noon: Morgan Wylie ~ Silent Orchids
1 pm: J.L. Bond & Val Richards ~ The Primortus Chronicles
2 pm: Intisar Khanani ~ Thorn
3 pm: Melissa Sasina, Author ~ Defiance
4 pm: S.M. Boyce ~ Lichgates
5 pm: Jena Baxter ~ Reflections
6 pm: Eli Hinze, Author ~ No Angels
7 pm: Elisabeth Wheatley, YA Fantasy Author ~ The Key of Amatahns
09 Thursday Apr 2015
Posted in anouncement
Today, I have the honor of announcing that the awesome Melissa Sasina is hosting a grand giveaway for copies of her complete The Priestess Trilogy! Check out the cover candy, the giveaway link at the end of the post, and my review of book one!
Defiance (Priestess Trilogy #1):
Shiovra has been named High Priestess of the village Tara, but she quickly finds herself hunted by the Milidh, a clan born of war and vengeance. With the safety of Tara at stake, it is decided that she is to seek aid from her betrothed, one she considers the enemy.
At her side is Odhrán, a Milidh warrior sworn to protect her and determined to gain her trust. But their journey is fraught with peril and Shiovra learns that darkness lurks in the hearts of her own kin.
Steeped in ancient Irish myth, this tale is spun of love, war, and defiance.
Betrayal (Priestess Trilogy #2):
Shiovra, High Priestess of the village Tara, is set to wed one considered the enemy for the sake of her clan. Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Shiovra decides her fate and faces the truth about Odhrán.
Still hunted by both the Milidh clan and her own kin, she learns that not all enemies are quite what they seem.
Loyalty is brought into question and power lost within enemy ranks in what shall ultimately lead to one thing: BETRAYAL.
Eclipse (Priestess Trilogy #3):
Tensions escalate between two clans, threatening their fragile peace. On one side stand the Túath, on the other the Milidh. The prize: control of the land of Éire. Yet amidst this brewing conflict, another more dangerous threat looms. The village of Tara is ripped apart, not by war, but by the seed of betrayal as the priestess’ own kinswoman, Gráinne, conspires to seize control. Enemies shall become allies and Shiovra is faced with a difficult choice, one that will ultimately engulf her world in an irreversible eclipse.
Coming Soon!
Author Bio:
Born in 1982 in Cleveland, Ohio, Melissa has always been an avid lover of fantasy. In her youth she would write short stories and add artwork to them. Inspired by the encouraging words of her high school English teacher, she decided to change her career path from graphic art to writing. When not writing, Melissa enjoys doing freelance art and is an avid gamer. She still lives in Ohio with her husband, son, cat Trinity, and ferret Rope.
Social Media links:
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Tumblr
Click here for the Rafflecopter!
20 Tuesday Jan 2015
Posted in blog tour
The bloodmage Volcrian is dead, but a new enemy lurks in the shadows. The Shade, a fanatical cult of demonic assassins, is trying to resurrect the Dark God and unleash His power back into the world. In their wake, a deadly plague is spreading across the land.
Only Sora and her companions know the plague’s true source. As the disease spreads, she must journey to the City of Crowns to retrieve The Book of the Named, her only hope of stopping the Shade. She and her companions arrive just in time for the winter solstice festival, a notorious two weeks of fine wines, grand parties and legendary debauchery. She must don the guise of a noblewoman and infiltrate the First Tier nobility to stop the Shade before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, the assassin Crash is confronted by a ghost from his past. As he uncovers more of the Shade’s plot, he finds himself face-to-face with his old Grandmaster. Can Crash lay to rest his past, or will he succumb to his inner demon and rejoin the man who once made him a killer?
5 out of 5 stars
So. Many. Feelings. I’m reminded why I said this is my favorite ongoing series, just—WOW. I have been waiting for this book since January 2014, annoying the author at every possible opportunity and throwing the series in the face of anyone who asks for a Young Adult Epic Fantasy recommendation (and sometimes even when they don’t).
The plot:
I was told that this was something like 150K words, but once again, it seems hard to believe because the story moves so quickly. I got caught up in it and after three hours of reading, I started to panic because I realized I was coming to the end. It really wasn’t clear how the author was going to end the book, but I was so emotionally invested I prayed. (It’s not weird to pray over fictional characters, is it?)
The characters:
Sora’s character has matured so very much since we first met her at her Blooming in book 1, yet she still has a kind of sweetness and guilelessness that just melts my heart. I do like reading about a heroine who isn’t another smoldering virago, but still manages to pull off daring adventures. She’s much easier to relate to than most of the Epic Fantasy heroines coming out these days and I love her to bits.
Another character I love to bits and who I consider one of my “babies,” is Crash. Read any of my other reviews and you will see plenty on Crash. His struggles and growth have been equal to Sora’s and it was fascinating to look more into the depths of his psyche and what’s going through his head. His relationship with Sora is sweet, complex, beautiful, and irresistible. I’ll be the first to admit that their story is one of my favorite things about this series and I’m in knots over what’s going to happen in Krait’s Redemption.
One thing that surprised me was the part of the book where we see more of what Crash’s demon actually thinks of Sora. That was one of the most interesting sections and again, leaves me wanting Krait’s Redemption.
Now that I have bombarded you with those paragraphs of Crash+Sora fangirling, I should point out this series does have other characters—not that you would know that by reading my previous reviews.
I kind of missed Burn and wished we’d gotten to see just a little more of him, but I was very happy about how much “screen time” Caprion had. There was the subplot of him and his past experiences with the Sixth Race and thanks to reading the prequel novella, I was almost as invested in that vein as I was the one about Crash+Sora. Even if Caprion was always the first to think the worst of my darling little Crash, I could forgive him because it made sense from his perspective.
We learn a great deal about the namesake of this book, Ferran, and his past as well as a surprising twist I did not see coming. Him and Lori are so perfect together and yes, I’ve been at my fictional matchmaking again. There were a great deal of questions raised regarding his family’s dealings and just who they’ve gotten mixed up with—yet more things making me salivate over Krait’s Redemption.
I never thought I would say this, but Cerastes has made me miss Volcrian. At least then, it was just one psychotic serial killer and a few wraiths we had to worry about, now we have a sociopathic, mostly-demon cult leader with his little minions and a mission to destroy all life. Cerastes scares me and I can’t wait for someone—preferably Crash—to kill him. (Just as soon as Cerastes finishes off that Daniellan fellow in some imaginative and nasty fashion.)
Then there’s Krait. When she was first introduced, I did not like her at all and now…let’s just say that the next book’s title has me very excited.
There was one character introduced at the beginning of this book, Cobra, another assassin, who freaked me out at first, but I ended up softening toward him at the end. I mean the very, very end. I can’t say much else because of spoilers, but I felt I should at least mention him.
This review has gone on way too long and turned into more of a fangirling session, so I’ll wrap it up by saying the story just keeps getting better and you all won’t be getting away from my passionate fanaticism any time soon.
T. L. Shreffler lives in Los Angeles, CA. She loves diversity, fantasy, romance, iced tea, long walks, philosophy, and thrift store shopping. She recently graduated with a BA in Badass (Creative Writing) and her poetry has been published consecutively in Eclipse: A Literary Journal and The Northridge Review. She is author of The Cat’s Eye Chronicles (YA/Epic Fantasy) and The Wolves of Black River (PN Romance.)Follow This Author!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tlshreffler
Twitter: @catseyeauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5138153.T_L_Shreffler
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Series website: www.catseyechronicles.com
Writing Blog: www.tlshreffler.com
Sora’s Quest, Cat’s Eye Chronicles book 1 {FREE everyday!}
Viper’s Creed, Cat’s Eye Chronicles book 2
Volcrian’s Hunt, Cat’s Eye Chronicles book 3
Caprion’s Wings, Cat’s Eye Chronicles book 3.5
Ferran’s Map, Cat’s Eye Chronicles book 4
02 Wednesday Apr 2014
Posted in anouncement, just for fun, my books
After months (okay, years) of procrastination, I’m finally getting around to setting up a mailing list. This will be a way for you guys to stay updated on my cover reveals, latest releases, and other earth-shattering news without having to stalk me all the time. (Not that I mind. 😉 )
To celebrate the creation of this mailing list, I am giving away signed copies of The Key of Amatahns and Fanged Princess as well as ecopies! So fill out the Rafflecopter below and don’t forget to tell your friends. Vita Beata!
16 Thursday Jan 2014
Posted in cover reveal, Uncategorized
Tags
awesome, cover reval, epic fantasy, fantasy, Giveaway, indie author, intisar khanani, thorn, ya
This book was incredible and one of the very first I reviewed here on Inspelled Faery. I think the new cover does a better job of capturing the story’s feel than any of its previous incarnations and I hope you’ll check it out!
For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she’s never had … until she’s betrayed.
Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family’s cruelty and the court’s contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.
But powerful men have powerful enemies—and now, so does Alyrra. Betrayed during a magical attack, her identity is switched with another woman’s, giving Alyrra the first choice she’s ever had: to start a new life for herself or fight for a prince she’s never met. But Alyrra soon finds that Prince Kestrin is not at all what she expected. While walking away will cost Kestrin his life, returning to the court may cost Alyrra her own. As Alyrra is coming to realize, sometimes the hardest choice means learning to trust herself.
Amazon | B&N | Apple | Diesel | Sony | Goodreads
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five.
Intisar currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Until recently, she wrote grants and developed projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department—which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy.
Intisar’s latest projects include a serial novella project titled The Sunbolt Chronicles, about a young thief with a propensity to play hero, and her arch-nemesis, a dark mage intent on taking over the Eleven Kingdoms. She’s also developing a companion trilogy to her debut novel Thorn, which will feature a new heroine introduced in her free short story The Bone Knife.
“Princess Alyrra,” the king says. My eyes flick up to his, my legs frozen in their curtsy. He studies me as if I were a prize goat, his gaze sliding over me before returning to my face, as cold and calculating as a butcher. “We have heard tell of you before.”
“My lord?” My voice sounds unnaturally high even to me.
“It is said you are honest. An unusual trait, it would seem.”
I open my mouth, close it, force some semblance of a smile to my lips. My brother has gone rigid, his hands pressed flat against his thighs.
“You are most kind,” my mother says, stepping forward. The king watches me a moment longer, leaving my mother waiting. I cannot say what he thinks, why he would mention something sure to raise old grievances, why he would care. Or is he only toying with us? Laughing at us?
He turns to my mother, offering her a courtly smile, and at her words he accompanies her up the three stairs and through the great wooden doors of our Hall. My brother and I trail behind him, a mix of our nobles and the king’s entourage on our heels.
“Honest Alyrra,” my brother mocks, his voice loud enough for those nearest us to hear. “What a very clever, sophisticated princess you must be.”
I bite my lip. It is going to be a long week, watching my back and hiding down corridors. And with so many guests, the wine and ale will flow freely, which will make things even worse. Just leave, I think at the king’s back. Just go home and leave us alone.
04 Monday Nov 2013
Posted in interview
Tags
eBook, fantasy, Giveaway, indie author, indies, janeal falor, just for fun, magic, mine series, paranormal, self-published, series, ya, you are mine, young adult
Today the very awesome Janeal Falor has taken the time to drop by and talk a little about her YA fantasy series and herself! Take a peek at her answers to my wildly creative (okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating) questions and don’t forget to check out her links and the giveaway below!
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.
What was the first book that made you want to write one?
Ooohhh. Good question! It’s been so long it’s hard to remember for certain, but it was probably A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. It transported me to another world in a way I could relate to and then made me want to figure out how to make that type of magic happen.
Why this is what I’ve wanted to be asked, no idea, but: Yes! Most definitely. Except… I believe very strongly in realistic happily ever afters. If there’s not a dose of realism, it’s hard not to roll my eyes and then not want to think about the story again. A touch of reality to endings makes the happiness more believable and usually gives me more to think about.
18 Tuesday Jun 2013
Posted in anouncement, blog hop, fantasy art
I must admit that I’m more than a little scared writing on the topic of the cause I’m passionate about because I’m not really sure how many of you will hate me forever after reading this. This isn’t something I’ve discussed openly before, so forgive me if I come across as a bit strong. I have friends who disagree with me and even family members who hold different beliefs. This is going to be a lot heavier than the posts I usually write and I promise we’ll be more peppy, lively content after this, but this is what I believe and I think I have a responsibility to share it.
I would like to talk about the human right to life. I am convinced that no human being should be denied their right for the chance to live. Every day in the United States alone, more than 3,000 children are denied that chance. In New York City, for every African-American child delivered, the mothers of more than 1,400 chose not to have them. Ninety percent of children pre-natally diagnosed with Down Syndrome are never allowed to be born.
I think it upsetting that in an age where we claim to live in the most advanced era mankind has yet seen, that we so blatantly trample the rights of the smallest and most helpless of our race in the name of choice. We speak of freedom for women, but too easily forget those who cannot even speak for themselves or, in some cases, overlook the fact that a woman has chosen to terminate her pregnancy with a girl in hopes of later conceiving a boy. The unborn have done nothing to warrant a death sentence. In the case of unwanted pregnancies, there are many alternatives which do not involve ending an innocent life.
And though it is an extremely unpopular way of thinking, I do not believe that how a child came into being should dictate whether or not they are allowed to live. None of us had any say in how we came to exist and I think it unjust that babies be punished for what they cannot control.
I’m probably going to be metaphorically taken out and shot for this post, but I hope that people will keep an open mind and agree to disagree if they feel differently. As controversial and politically incorrect as it is, I believe that a person is a person from the moment of conception and that every person should be given the chance to live in this beautiful planet we call home.
~~~
“A Cause for Concern” celebrates the release of Sunbolt, a YA fantasy novella by Intisar Khanani. Sunbolt tells the story of Hitomi, a young woman with a propensity to play hero when people need saving, and her nemesis, a dark mage slowly amassing power in a bid to control the Eleven Kingdoms. Stories often have an issue at their heart, however big or small, global or personal. This week offers a chance for bloggers (and readers) who love stories to share the issues that are close to their hearts. What do you wish you could change in the world?
~~~
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life
~~~
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Until recently, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. Intisar’s next two projects include a companion trilogy to Thorn, following the heroine introduced in her short story The Bone Knife, and The Sunbolt Chronicles, a novella serial following a young mage with a propensity to play hero, and her nemesis, a dark mage intent on taking over the Eleven Kingdoms.
~~~
02 Tuesday Apr 2013
Posted in cover reveal
Tags
Cover reveal, fantasy, Giveaway, intisar khanani, novella, sunbolt, ya, young adult
Today I am thrilled to help unveil the cover for a new book by one of my favorite authors ever! I helped with the beta-reading for this story and believe me, the world is in for a treat! Don’t forget to check out the link to the giveaway at the end of this post!
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she conceals her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to bring down the powerful and corrupt Archmage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she has to escape with her life.
About the Author:
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Until recently, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. Intisar is hard at work on two new projects. The first is a companion trilogy to her debut novel Thorn, following the heroine introduced in her free short story The Bone Knife. The second project, The Sunbolt Chronicles, is a novella series following the efforts of a young mage as she strives to bring down her nemesis, a corrupt and dangerous Arch Mage who means to bring the Eleven Kingdoms under his control.
Giveaway
Three digital Advance Reader Copies of Sunbolt, to be provided to winners by mid-May, preceding the official release date.
12 Monday Nov 2012
Posted in just for fun
Tags
Hi, guys! Kanchi over at Hidden Gems is hosting her first-ever giveaway and I’m helping get the word out! Check out her blog and enter the rafflecopter to win! Good luck and…
