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Spindrifts
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play -- EXCERPT: Fania’s Journal: An excerpt from Spindrifts by A-M Mawhiney © 2021 I’m supposed to write in my journal every day. Sure. Like that’s the best use of my time. They said it’d be a private place to think, but I’ve wondered about that. I can think in my head without writing my thoughts. Just in case, I always use my disconnected tablet for the real journal, encrypted with three protective codes and in a language I developed myself. I know this might be over the top, but I’ve felt better knowing no one can read my actual journal. So, people can read how excited I am about my apprenticeship, but privately I’m totally dissed. I really want to learn about people From Away, and instead I’m apprenticing with Granny, my great-grandmother, who’s spent most of her life close to home in her research laboratory, two miles down an ancient mine shaft. It used to be where they studied mysteries of the universe! How the heck did that work? I’ve always loved Granny. I’ve felt as though we’ve had a special relationship, and I’ve missed spending time with her. I just never thought they’d give me a responsibility so far removed from what I really want to be doing. Ezma told me I’ve many skills and a strong aptitude for analytical thinking. I know what that means. It means sitting in an underground lab every day for the rest of my life. I guess I wasn’t very good at hiding my feelings because Ezma felt she had to remind me what Granny does is very important. Then she asked me a curious question. “Do you know what she does?” Well, of course I do! I explained, “Granny is the researcher who found the serum. She said it was a fluke.” That comment made Ezma laugh, hysterically almost. “Well, Fania, you’ll find there’s a lot you can learn from Alicia. I hope you’ll keep an open mind.” When I boarded the transport to head home after two years at Immersion, my patch reminded me to change my timer back to the village’s schedule. The health patch is a misnomer; it’s actually an up-to-date example of bio-merged nanotechnology. This latest gen’s so far advanced compared to the primitive models my grandparents used when they were young—those things they wore on their wrists. Now the healer implants the technology at birth where it merges with our brainwaves. It has reciprocal transformational capabilities, but I’ve been told there are limitations so it can’t change the basic personality or natural abilities of anyone. The patch transmits and receives communications, monitors personal health data, and provides all my reading materials. Everyone in our territory has them, so far as I know. 
GIVEAWAY! Hosted by: Happy Publication Day to Dark Tides Kimberly Vale! In this highly anticipated sequel to our favourite pirate fantasy in Crossbones Kimberly Vale is back with another spellbinding story of love, danger, and adventure!  From the blurb: Kimberly Vale’s swashbuckling pirates return for another high seas, high stakes adventure where Csilla and the Bones crew must battle more otherworldly creatures seeping in from Limbo, and threatening to swallow them whole. The Dark Tides are rising . . . When love is an anchor, the sea can swallow you whole. Csilla Abado has a full plate after becoming the first Queen of Bones. While leading Cerulia, she needs to find a way to mend the lingering crack between Limbo and the mortal realm. And when Lorelai and Nara go missing, the crew takes to the seas once more to try and find them . . . facing the worst of the villains and even more otherworldly creatures spilling in from the crack. Kane Blackwater, desperate to find Dominic Rove, washes up at Death’s Cove where he comes face-to-face with creatures who have no place in this world. When he’s wounded, his magic-laced injury seeps throughout his body, spreading an unknown evil into his veins. His time is running out and he must decide what's more important to him: Lorelai’s life or his own. Lorelei Storm isn't the same since her return from the realm of Limbo. A menacing and powerful magic rests under her skin, and she fears it as much as she craves its potential. When she flees Cerulia, she’s captured and taken prisoner by an Incendian Scout, and learning to control her powerful new magic may be the only chance she has at saving her own life. As the war between gods and mortals builds to a crescendo, Csilla, Kane, and Lorelei must not only protect their world from destruction, but also their hearts from looming devastation. The seas darken and not everyone will survive the rising tides.  Crossbones Goodreads / Crossbones Amazon / Crossbones B&N Dark Tides Goodreads / Dark Tides Amazon / Dark Tides B&N EXCERPT: “I don’t deserve you,” he murmured. “What you deserve is to be happy.” She traced the golden weavings on the collar of his coat. She meant to say more. That he deserved to find happiness with or without her. That he should love with his whole being and forgive himself his past. But his lips met hers before she could say anything else. His kiss was a burst of warmth that spread over her cheeks and down her neck. Then he was gone, shying away from her as he searched her face “Is this okay with you?” he asked, his voice a rasp, nearly pleading. “Is this what you want? She answered by grabbing the collar of his coat with both hands and pulling him to her. He chuckled under her lips and kissed her back, his hands fitting back into place around her like it was where they were meant to be. She bowed into him as his hand traveled up her spine, his fingers twining into her hair. She’d kissed a boy once back in Port Barlow, but not like this. Not with this type of hunger. She could kiss Kane under the stars until they faded into the bleeding light of sunrise and it still wouldn’t be enough. One moment they were holding each other, the next they were stumbling to a nearby pillar. Lorelei’s back pressed against it as Kane leaned into her, kissing her again, deeper this time. Their rushed breaths filled the quiet space of the terrace. His hands roamed over her ribs and onto her hips, clenching the black fabric of her dress. She lightly scratched the back of his neck and he sighed against her lips, the sound of it unraveling her. Sparks started in her core, spreading up her chest, through her arms and into her fingers before she even realized what was hap- pening. Her wild magic summoned itself so quickly, she didn’t have time to bite it back. Like an uncorked bottle, magic poured from her. The moment her sparks left her; Kane jolted. He convulsed under her touch, his entire body shaking like lightning swam through him. She let go of him, her heart in her throat as he crumpled to the ground. Though she no longer touched him, he still shook with tremors, his breaths more like ragged pants. Lorelei moved to crouch down next to him, her trembling fingers reaching. But then she straightened back against the pillar, looking at her hands, afraid she’d lose control again. Attempting to make fear a stranger had only left it clawing at her door. “What . . .” Kane said between breaths. He groaned as he rolled onto his side. “What was that?” Her tongue turned to sand. Words were lost to her, swept away with the sea breeze. “Lorelei?” he looked up at her from the ground, searching her with concern. “What happened? Were you harmed?” Her heart throbbed. He worried over her even though he was the one shivering on the ground. She’d put him there. Her lack of control could’ve killed him. The more she thought of her grave mistake, the brighter the spark inside her grew. She glanced down at her hands, her breath hitching. Her fingertips looked like they’d been dipped in gold. The terrace melted away and she was back in Limbo, her arms coated in the very same gold. In that realm, the power of her storm magic was unfathomable. Perhaps monsters weren’t the only thing slipping through the cracks in Limbo. Lorelei rubbed her fingertips together, but the gold remained like paint smudged into her skin. She couldn’t stay there. No, she couldn’t stay anywhere near the ones she cared about. It was foolish of her to think that she could find a sliver of peace, even for just one evening. A cloud of regret hung over her. Kane grunted, drawing her attention back to him as he crawled onto his knees. He lifted his head back to look at her, blinking as if trying to see clearly. “What’s wrong? Was it—was that you?” His expression was unreadable. She’d never seen him look at her like that before. It was a mixture of shock and wonder, but did she detect disgust or was that her mind playing tricks on her? “I’m sorry,” she managed to say. Her voice didn’t sound like her own, like she was speaking from behind a glass window. “I didn’t mean to. I can’t believe I—” Kane rose to his feet, the movement wobbly and labored. “Shh, I’m fine.” He reached out and cupped her cheek with his palm. “Are you?” His thumb softly stroked her cheek and sparks pricked at her fingertips again. She stepped away and curled her fingers into fists as if her golden fingertips would cease to exist if she couldn’t see them. “I have to go.” Lorelei’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry, but I have to go.” She turned away from him, her face cold, her stomach churning, but she couldn’t take the chance of hurting him again. “Wait,” he rasped, grabbing her wrist. His hand was warm. She wanted so much to hold on to it tightly. “Please. Stay.” The pools of his eyes and the scratch in his voice nearly pinned her where she stood. She’d stay with him. She’d let herself lie in his arms until the sun woke up. She’d kiss him and he’d kiss her like nothing else mattered, like they were the only two in the world. But she couldn’t risk it. She tore herself away from him before she caved in. “I have to go,” she said, unable to hide the way her voice quivered. “Please. Let me go.” Kane dropped her wrist, his warmth leaving her skin much too fast, the evening chill sweeping into her quickly. Tears welled as she half-ran away, spilling onto her cheeks as she stumbled through the empty side halls of the courtyard. Faded guitars and laughter drifted on the wind, deepening the cold in her heart.
About the author:
Kimberly Vale is a reader, a bit of a hopeless romantic, and started writing on Wattpad as a teen. In the years since then, she has accumulated millions of reads online and has volunteered her time to mentorship programs and other efforts in the writing community. With a BA in Education, Kimberly teaches remediation and dyslexia intervention in public schools and lives in Arkansas with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She also enjoys playing video games, trying new recipes, and coming up with ridiculous theories about her current tv-obsessions. Attention all fans of Kimberly Vale's Kingdom of Bones: the wait is almost over and the highly anticipated sequel to the unforgettable adventure Kimberly took us on in Crossbones is about to hit the stores!  From the blurb: Kimberly Vale’s swashbuckling pirates return for another high seas, high stakes adventure where Csilla and the Bones crew must battle more otherworldly creatures seeping in from Limbo, and threatening to swallow them whole. The Dark Tides are rising . . . When love is an anchor, the sea can swallow you whole. Csilla Abado has a full plate after becoming the first Queen of Bones. While leading Cerulia, she needs to find a way to mend the lingering crack between Limbo and the mortal realm. And when Lorelai and Nara go missing, the crew takes to the seas once more to try and find them . . . facing the worst of the villains and even more otherworldly creatures spilling in from the crack. Kane Blackwater, desperate to find Dominic Rove, washes up at Death’s Cove where he comes face-to-face with creatures who have no place in this world. When he’s wounded, his magic-laced injury seeps throughout his body, spreading an unknown evil into his veins. His time is running out and he must decide what's more important to him: Lorelai’s life or his own. Lorelei Storm isn't the same since her return from the realm of Limbo. A menacing and powerful magic rests under her skin, and she fears it as much as she craves its potential. When she flees Cerulia, she’s captured and taken prisoner by an Incendian Scout, and learning to control her powerful new magic may be the only chance she has at saving her own life. As the war between gods and mortals builds to a crescendo, Csilla, Kane, and Lorelei must not only protect their world from destruction, but also their hearts from looming devastation. The seas darken and not everyone will survive the rising tides.
If you still haven't discovered this spellbinding series, here are some links: Crossbones Goodreads / Crossbones Amazon / Crossbones B&N Dark Tides Goodreads / Dark Tides Amazon Pre-order/ Dark Tides B&N Pre-order
#Blog Tour #You Should Have Seen This Coming by Shani Michelle #YA Thriller @Xpresso Book Tours15/4/2022
You Should Have Seen This Coming
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My thoughts:
When I read this amazing blurb I just knew I needed to read it! Being able to discover someone's deepest secrets just by touching something that belonged to them sounds like a wonderful gift ...that could of course get you in all sorts of trouble. Do you ignore it, use it to help others to get justice (call it a modern version of Robin Hood) or try to gain something for your benefit? Seeing future could be even more problematic for all sorts of reasons. What if you happen to see something personal that will hurt you or people you love, but feel you can't change the course of events? Do you try anyway or just brace or emotionally distance yourself? These are the dilemmas Hayden and Cassie, the protagonists of Shani Michelle's amazing YA thriller You should Have Seen This Coming grapple with on a daily basis. Now imagine one of them gets kidnapped and it's up to the others to save her life? You see why I simply couldn't put the book down? To be honest, I was gripped from the word go. There's just something special about Shani's writing style and the way she structures the narrative. Chapter after chapter, I needed to read on and find out how Hayden's visions of past and Cassie's prophecies are going to help them survive. The pace was perfect- everything seemed well-developed, but there was never a dull or slow scene. Both Hayden and Cassie are likeable protagonists. Don't let Hayden's prickly attitude at the beginning fool you. You'll soon discover what has made her feel and behave that way. One of the best things about this book is seeing how she finds new, true friends and finally gets a chance to have a stable, 'normal' life. I loved the dual POV narrative which takes the phrase 'put the events in perspective' to a whole new level. Overall, it was a very entertaining, fast-paced YA mystery (with a touch of paranormal) that I would have no trouble recommending to anyone who loves the genre. Thank you to NetGalley and Swoon Reads for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. 
From the blurb: In this stunning YA fantasy debut, first in a duology, Lizz Huerta introduces us to a fantastical version of an ancient Mesoamerican world and a lineage of women seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed.Indir is a Dreamer, able to enter the Dreaming and see beyond reality. But when a new king takes the throne, he plans to end the time-honored tradition of Dreamers—and he’ll have the opportunity if he discovers the two secrets Indir keeps. Saya is a seer without training. Her mother exploits Saya’s talent, passing it off as her own. When Saya discovers she has more gifts, she begins to suspect that her life is a carefully-constructed lie. She will risk it all in search of answers. With a detailed, supernaturally-charged setting and topical themes of patriarchal power, female strength, and the horrors of family separation, The Lost Dreamer brings an ancient world to life, mirroring the challenges of our modern one. Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) Publication Date: March 1st, 2022 384 pages Purchase  tMy thoughts: Delicate, dream-like, powerful, full of songs and stories- one of a kind! When the blurb promises you stunning, it doesn't lie- the Lost Dreamer is as beautiful as it is unique in the genre of YA Fantasy which is rapidly becoming overcrowded with strong, 'sassy' heroines and battle magic. The two narrators of this gorgeous epic, inspired by Mesoamerican tradition are Indir and Saya. Both have to undertake a journey - both a physical journey and that of self-discovery and sacrifice in order to save their world which is about to succumb to chaos. Indir's mother, her aunts and her sisters are all Dreamers- women who enter and communicate with a special magical realm (think a parallel world full of spirits) called the Dream. The temple is the only life Indir has ever known. She is asked by the dying king to keep the last dream she entered on his behalf secret. Now the old king's heir, sent away to enemy tribe to cement peace talks, arrives in their secret city and is threatening the traditions and the whole tapestry of their society, the Dream itself. Indir must flee her secret city and face the wider world she knows so little about in order to find the legendary Lost Dreamer Kind and selfless Saya is used to being controlled and punished for a slightest mistake by her mother Celay. Their life is harsh and they are always on the move to escape an unknown and unmentioned threat. The only safe place for Saya is,,, the Dream which she can enter and where she used to roam and play as a child. Changes are coming into her life too. Saya's mother has been passing Saya's gift to Dream as her own and has been profiting from it. Now it's time for Saya to discover the freedom of making her own choices. To tell you more is to give away the plot which deserves being discovered step by step, chapter by chapter, image by image. The worldbuilding is gorgeous and so well-thought-through. Among different kinds of gifts that belong to these people are shapeshifting, wielding Fire and using Songs for healing and as a means of connection to all the living world. The Dreamers themselves are also different- Indir dreams in truths, while her sister sees possibilities. Liz Huerta creates a beautiful, magical world with stunning, rich imagery. Indir and Saya are both young and inexperienced. They have been leading 'protected' lives and both of them need strength and courage to face the changes. Indir's strength comes from her family and their love, while Saya is much more curious and trusting- she isn't following any script or any tradition, just her instincts and what she perceives to be true, she is writing her own story. Fabulous debut from Lizz Huerta! Can't wait to read her next book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy provided in exchange for an hoest opinion.  Lizz Huerta is a widely-admired Mexi-Rican short story writer and essayist, published in Lightspeed, The Cut, The Portland Review, The Rumpus, Miami Rail, and more. Her short story, “The Wall,” is included in the anthology A People’s Future of the United States. Huerta has also been a 2018 Bread Loaf Fellow, a five-time VONA Fellow, and the winner of the LUMINA fiction contest, selected by Roxane Gay, who called her writing “a menacing inescapable seduction.” She has appeared on CSPAN’s BookTV to discuss the erasure of Mexican American Studies in Arizona, and has taught creative writing to homeless youth through San Diego nonprofit So Say We All. lizzhuerta.com Twitter @lizzhuerta
Heart of the Impaler
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My thoughts:
I'm always interested in discovering new authors and Alexander Delacroix is definitely one to watch out for. His debut novel Heart of the Impaler sets out to explore the dark, dark world of Vlad Dracul's Wallachia and Transylvania before this notorius historical character came into power. I loved the premise and really enjoyed delving into the emotional side of Vlad's descent into his madness. Some readers hate love triangles, but the truth is they do make excellent plots and allow the author explore the characters' complex feelings-jealousy, loyalty, gratitude, embarrassment, confusion...In Heart of the Impaler we're thrown into this emotional landscape from the word go, when we meet Ilona Csaki, the elder daughter of an impoverished Transylvanian noble, as she is observing an impromptu sword fight between Vlad,, the younger son of the great Vojvode, and his cousin Andrej, and the battle for Ilona's heart begins. Ilona might come across as slightly passive, limited in her autonomy and decision making, but this rings true to the historic reality of the role of women who were forced to stay behind the scenes. It is obvious that the author did a lot of research and added lots of details to help the reader imagine what life was like in this historical period, but my favourite part is the evolution of Vlad's character (after all, wasn't this why I picked up the book?) from a confused second in the line, 'a spare' to his elder brother Mircea into the power hungry, ruthless politician and ruler the whole world has heard about. Overall, Heart of the Impaler is an interesting debut and I would really like to read more from this author in future. Thank you to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours, Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. 
#Book Blitz #Of the Lilin (The Sage Chronicles, #1) by Paulette Hampton #YA @XpressoBook Tours1/9/2021
Of the Lilin
-- TEASERS: Sage describing her depression: I didn’t deserve happiness. Those joys shouldn’t exist without my family’s and friend’s presence. I should have to endure more suffering for what I had done. I no longer pressed my memory to find out what I was guilty of. It was a blur, a blip in my mind, but it was there. I felt it, and I needed to suffer for it. Sage, when her dark side appears, describing her feeding: From his wanting mouth, I began to inhale his essence, his spirit. It was exhilarating and decadent. I was filled with what was flowing and still, energetic and peaceful, awe-inspiring and banal. The dichotomies fit like two puzzle pieces. There was not one without the other. This was the only moment that existed. It was completeness.
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Don’t Forget To Breathe
-- EXCERPT: The black corners of my room softened into a silvery gray. I turned my head to check the alarm clock, 4:45. I begged the heavens, “Please, let me sleep,” and smothered my head underneath my downy pillow. A nanosecond after slamming my eyelids closed, I was immediately transported to a year ago…” My walk down the hallway to my parents’ bedroom became sluggish. She’d been complaining of not feeling well and had stayed home from work today. Was she sick and needed to rest and forgot about the boiling water? The door was shut. I knuckled the frame softly. “Mom?” My hand twisted the knob and inched it open. I gagged on the smell. An awkward, half-naked body draped the mattress—porcelain skin sliced apart, and silky blonde hair fanned the floor. Dripping red blood—gobs of blood. Eyes filled with terror watched me. Dead eyes. My jaw moved. Mommm—but no sound. I shuffled a foot forward and doubled over, spewing lunch. That was when I noticed a bloody dagger next to her fingers. Forged in a peculiar camber design like something I’d see in a museum. Arms swallowed me from behind, “I’m not going to kill you. Not yet.” Then everything faded to black. I woke with a start and gasped. My heart ached. Struggling upright I crisscrossed my arms over my chest and gripped my shoulders. Tears sprinkled my face—sorry for my loss, sorry for myself.
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A Thousand Salt Kisses
The complete series: -- EXCERPT: Mine @2 I double checked the message again. I was restless, I wanted to see Rosie now. What is this big secret? What does it have to do with Llyr? I would now have to wait until two o’clock to find out. I have a vivid imagination and it was rattling around in my skull like a hurricane right now. Is Llyr some kind of criminal on the run? Does he have to hide in the sea or something? Maybe he was a Starfish native and that was why only islanders knew of his hiding place… Where does he sleep?! He must get really cold out there all the time… Surely, he would drown at some point or catch pneumonia. What had he done anyway, and should I turn him in? Surely I couldn’t let my insane crush on him get in the way of justice. I did a Google search on my phone, typing in ‘Most Wanted’ and ‘Coney Bay’. A jokey news article came up about a kid who had released their goldfish into the sea and now wanted it back. I screamed with frustration and threw my phone on the sofa, storming out into the back garden and down the ocean stairway. It was a blazing hot June Sunday, but I didn’t care. I would search for answers. When I got to the jetty, I marched to the end of it, and I stood there gazing out to sea. I must have looked a little strange to the neighbours standing so determined on the edge of the jetty, fists clenched at my sides, my hair yellow in the sun. I was a woman on a mission, but with nowhere to mission to. My eyes scanned the sea, begging for something, but asides from a fishing boat and a couple of gulls, the surface was barren. “Darling!” It was Mum. She was making her way down the stairs. I sighed. “Hi Mum” “Are you alright, standing around in the boiling heat like this?” she shouted. “Yeah, I’m fine Mum,” I said distractedly. She made her way down the jetty. She wore a big floppy black sun hat and a black fitted strappy dress. “Are you off to a funeral?” I joked as she neared. It was surely not normal to wear such dark colours in the summer. “I suppose I’m mourning London, Crystal,” she said putting her arm around my shoulders. God, she’s so melodramatic. She’s probably trying to give Dad a guilt trip. “It’s nice here,” I said reassuringly, as we looked out to sea. “I missed London to start with, but I’ve not thought about it one bit in the past few weeks.” I was still scouring the waters. “That’s great,” she said watching my face carefully. “But you don’t really seem yourself.” “Oh… well, I’m fine,” I pretended. My mum was silent, and I knew she was waiting for me to explain myself. “Oh, it’s just this guy.” “Oh, well, say no more,” she said, looking relieved. “Now, my motherly advice is keep cool, kid.” I laughed, “Okay Mum.” “Let them do the chasing.” No danger of me chasing Llyr, I thought. I wasn’t even totally sure if he existed. 
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Neptune’s Window, Deep Stare
-- EXCERPT: Setting her laptop on the kitchen table, she turned it on. “Don’t do it,” a spirit said. Halfway through a bag of chips, she opened a can of soda. If everybody else knows, shouldn’t I? “Ignorance is bliss. You already know that you’re not going to like what you find.” I hate that expression. Ignorance is a nicer way of saying I’m stupid. Which is what everyone must think. It’s time I know the truth about Cory. “Suit yourself. But it’s not wise to participate in their drama.” You have a point. But I can’t control myself any longer. I have to know. With curiosity getting the best of her, she didn’t care who the spirit was, and ignored the warning. Clicking onto the site, she typed in her password while sipping some soda. “It’s only going to cause you more problems.” I appreciate the warning, but here I go. She scrolled back to the night of the homecoming dance. “Oh my God.” 
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