2023 LIBRARY LOVE AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE & #GIVEAWAY

Decided to join this reading challenge! It is only a couple of months long and since I adore Libby which is connected to my library (I use it all the time).....so why not join in and try to win?

The first-ever Library Love Audiobook Challenge is hosted by Angel’s Guilty Pleasures and Books of My Heart.

Details:

• Audiobooks Must Be Listened To During: May 1st, 2023 – June 30th, 2023.
• Audiobooks must be from the library.
• We have a GIVEAWAY for you plus the MAIN Giveaway
• Cross-Posting with other challenges is allowed.
• Any genre.
• The goal is to have fun and use your library's audio. 

Extra Fun Entry:

• Share a picture of the audiobook(s) you are listening to on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
• Tag one or both of the hosts:
• Instagram: @angelsgp17
• Twitter: @BooksofMyHeart or @angels_gp
• Facebook: Angel’s Guilty Pleasures or Books of My Heart
• Make sure to use the hashtags #librarylovechallenge #audiobooklove when sharing.
  

Click HERE to sign up!

Book Feature & Giveaway: A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson

A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson

Publication Date: October 9, 2021

Genre: Historical Mystery

Series: Dr. DuLac, Book 1

For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, Christina Courtenay

Can echoes of the past threaten the present? They are 1500 years apart, but can they reach out to each other across the centuries? One woman faces a traumatic truth in the present day. The other is forced to marry the man she hates as the 'dark ages' unfold.

How can Dr Viv DuLac, medievalist and academic, unlock the secrets of the past? Traumatised by betrayal, she slips into 499 AD and into the body of Lady Vivianne, who is also battling treachery. Viv must uncover the mystery of the key that she unwittingly brings back with her to the present day, as echoes of the past resonate through time. But little does Viv realise just how much both their lives across the centuries will become so intertwined. And in the end, how can they help each other across the ages without changing the course of history?

Available on Amazon

Praise for Julia Ibbotson and A Shape on the Air

“In the best Barbara Erskine tradition … I would highly recommend this novel” Historical Novel Society

“Amazing …a really great book …I just couldn’t put it down” Hazel Morgan

"a beautiful tale … a must-read for fans of time-slip and time-travel" Cathie Dunn

"gripping, with a very real sense of sense of threat and danger, an enthralling mystery focused on hidden treasure, a wholly convincing romance, all across both timelines!" Anne Williams

"Lovely identifiable heroines in both time periods … I love the strength and vulnerability" Melissa Morgan

"Meticulously researched and wonderfully evocative. Loved it!" Anne Harvey

About the Author

Acclaimed, award-winning author Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of resonances across time. She read English at Keele University, England (after a turbulent but exciting gap year in Ghana, West Africa) specialising in medieval language, literature and history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. She wrote her first novel at 10 years of age, but became a school teacher, then an academic as a senior university lecturer and researcher.

She has published a number of books, including memoir, children’s medieval fantasy, a trilogy set in Ghana, and medieval time-slip, as well as academic works. Apart from insatiable reading, she loves travelling the world, singing in choirs, swimming, yoga and walking in the countryside in England and Madeira where she and her husband divide their time.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 13
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Tuesday, February 14
Review at The Book Countess

Wednesday, February 15
Feature at I'm Into Books
Feature at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Thursday, February 16
Feature at CelticLady's Books
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Friday, February 17
Review at Novels Alive

Monday, February 20
Review at Bookworlder
Feature at Tammy Reads

Tuesday, February 21
Feature at Books, Cooks, Looks
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, February 22
Feature at What Is That Book About

Thursday, February 23
Feature at Carole's Ramblings

Friday, February 24
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Feature at Reading is My Remedy

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of A Shape on the Air by Julia Ibbotson!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on February 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

A Shape on the Air

Kickstarter Blast - The White Sails series by Emma Lombard (+ Giveaway!!!)

The White Sails Series: Special Hardback Omnibus by Emma Lombard

If Bridgerton and Pirates of the Caribbean had a love child.

Are you a fan of sweeping romantic adventures?
Do you fall for tall, brooding Naval Officers?
Love a feisty female lead who makes you yell aloud?

Then hop aboard Emma Lombard's hardback Collector's Edition of The White Sails Series, and batten down the hatches!

But Why?

Well, firstly, let me tell you what my Kickstarter campaign isn't. It isn't a plea for donations, it's not a beg for money, and it's not just another retailer.

Okay, so what is it then?

Kickstarter is a wonderful way for me to give more to my fans.

It allows fans access to a special collector's edition that is not (and will never be) available from online retailers.

It allows fans to have each and every copy personalised, which is just not doable on retailers.

It also allows fans a more intimate view of the story behind my series.

And best of all, it allows fans to get involved in my next series, whether through an exclusive sneak peek of the first draft or even having a character named after them.

Oh, and did I mention there's an opportunity to win the original oil painting of the cover?

Where else in the world do you get all this extra cool stuff thrown in just because you bought a book?

What's in it for you, Emma?

Without wanting to sound too cheesy, I'm beside myself to put such a pretty book out in the world. I'm mean, just look at that dreamy sunset! I'm not going to lie, I love a chunky book. This collector's edition fulfils my ultimate author dream—to be able to hold (and smell) a weighty tome. I'm not the only one—I've had folks walk up to my books at the market and pick them up just to smell them! My kind of peeps!

I know it's taboo to talk about money, but the pledges received for this campaign will help me recoup some of the upfront expenses that I have already laid out, like editing, book cover design, audiobook narration, and it will give me the momentum I need to invest in those same services for my next series, The Gold Hills Series.

You'll be helping keep the indie publishing ecosphere turning, which in turn lets me keep creating more stories.

So, what's The White Sails Series about?

One of my readers described it best: If Bridgerton and Pirates of the Caribbean had a love child.

The idea for this series was born from a tiny nugget of family gossip that my grandmother shared with me. She told me how my 3x great grandmother left her well-to-do family in England to elope with an English sea captain, and live aboard his ship with him.

I took the basic concept of this story and had a blast creating an entirely fictitious imagining of what it might have been like for a woman to live aboard a ship in those days. Quite ironic considering that I get terribly sea-sick myself.

Curious? Never seen what a Kickstarter campaign looks like?

Just looking: Take an exclusive pre-launch look at Emma's campaign to see it in detail, click HERE.

Note: clicking on this link will not sign you up to anything, it's simply an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

To follow the campaign: Open the campaign, and click 'Notify me on launch' button at the top of the page

Note: this will not commit you to any pledges, it's how you will be able to have ring-side seats to watch the campaign play out.

Giveaway

Batten down the hatches, m’lovelies, for a chance to win an exclusive, personalised, hardcover Collector’s Edition of The White Sails Series: Fill out the entry form HERE.

Book Blast Hosts

Books & Benches
Passages to the Past
The Book Junkie Reads
Books, Cooks, Looks
Elodie’s Reading Corner
Carole's Ramblings
My Reading Getaway
Gwendalyn's Books
Bookish Mya
I'm Into Books
Reading Is My Remedy
CelticLady's Reviews
History from a Woman’s Perspective
Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway & Book Review: Half Notes From Berlin

Author: B.V. Glants

Title: Half Notes From Berlin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 256

Published: October 4, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Berlin, 1933. Hans believes he and his family are safe from persecution.

Then, he discovers his family's dirty secret: his maternal grandparents were Jews who converted to Christianity.

Driven by the desire to understand who he is and whether his mother's blood really is tainted, Hans befriends Rebecca, the only Jewish girl he knows. Perhaps if Jewish blood isn't evil, his mother will be ok.

To be a Jew in Hitler's Germany is dangerous. But to fall in love with one is unthinkable.

Desperate to keep both his family's true heritage and his love for Rebecca a secret, Hans attempts to navigate this terrifying new world. He's disconsolate when his Jewish mother is kicked out from the Berlin Conservatory. He's disgusted by his Aryan father's aims to acquire Jewish business on the cheap.

Worst, he must watch helplessly as his classmates target Rebecca with increasing violence and malice.

But when his school announces it will expel Jewish students, Hans is determined to fight for Rebecca — and for the lives and souls of his family.

Review:

Couldn't resist checking this one out when I read the summary. 

Here we follow Hans. He lives in Berlin with his parents and it is 1933. Things have changed. Germany now belongs to Hitler. Society is changing and to be a Jew is not safe. Hans thinks he is safe...until he overhears his parents and learns that his maternal grandparents were Jews who converted to Christianity years ago. Driven to understand more about his Jewish blood, he befriends Rebecca the only Jewish girl in his school. He soon realizes that he may have feelings for her but he must watch helplessly as his classmates target Rebecca with increasing violence and malice. 

I found this perspective very interesting and refreshing. Things are just beginning to get really bad. You could see some people wanted to be blind to it...some people saw the writing on the wall and left. It was sort of eerie seeing the poison of hate take over even the youths. It's tragic and scary how quickly it spread.

Honestly, I couldn't put this down!! I finished it in a day. Hans and his story had me drawn in right from this first page. 

One can't help but hope, but Hitler's Germany lives little room for hope and you know things will not go well for people who are Jewish or who sympathize with Jews.

The ending made me want more. There is a sense there might be a sequel. One can hope!!! I think we need one for sure because there felt like there were more stories to tell. I want to see more of Hans.

In the end, I really enjoyed this but it did make me sad...as it should. You can't help but want the best for Hans and Rebecca, but you know that bad things are heading their way. I would love to read a sequel. There seems like there are way more stories and adventures for Hans. I recommend this. 5 stars from me. 

 

Giveaway 

Enter to win a paperback copy of Half Notes from Berlin by B.V. Glants! We have 10 copies up for grabs! 

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on December 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter. 

Embed Code: Half Notes From Berlin

Graphic Novel Review: José and the Pirate Captain Toledano

Author: Arnon Z. Shorr
Illustrator: Joshua M Edelglass
Title: José and the Pirate Captain Toledano
Genre: Historical Fiction, Children’s Graphic Novels, YA 
Pages: ebook, 96 pages*
Published: January 1st 2022 
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion

*Available in Print and ebook

Summary: 

Set in the shadows of the Spanish Inquisition, this is the coming-of-age story of José Alfaro, a young refugee who forms a powerful bond with the mysterious Pirate Captain Toledano. It’s also a dynamic pirate adventure on the high seas, with hand-to-hand combat and ship-to-ship action, and the powerful story of a dark time in history when people took different paths to survive. José Alfaro is a cocky, rambunctious teen in the 16th-century colony of Santo Domingo, pulling pranks and dodging the authorities. One day, José’s mischief lands him in serious trouble. Hoping for a fresh start, he stows away on the Laqish, not knowing that it’s a pirate ship. From his hiding place, he watches the pirates divide their loot and plan their attacks on long days at sea. He also takes note of the respect they have for their captain, the intimidating Toledano. But the captain has a secret―like José, he is a Jew. For him, piracy is not about the gold; it has a different purpose. Under the tutelage of the ship’s quartermaster, José learns the intricacies of pirate life. But when he can, the captain finds ways to pull José away from the crew, to teach him about his ancestors.

View Trailer Jose and the Pirate Captain Toledano by Arnon Z. Shorr

Review: 

 When I was a wee thing myself I LOVED anything pirates so I know this would've been perfect for me so I knew I had to check this out. That cover...the storyline...the title....perfection!

Here we follow José Alfaro who is a young refugee. After certain events, he finds himself on a pirate ship and forms a powerful bond with the mysterious Pirate Captain Toledano. Set during the Spanish Inquisition, José and the captain have a secret that is dangerous for themselves and their crew. 

I finished this in one sitting. I literally couldn't stop reading! I had to know what was going to happen to our hero, his family, his friends, and his crew. No one is safe during the Spanish Inquisition! Such a dangerous and dark time. 

It made me sad watching José be forced to grow up so quickly. He went from a standard rambunctious and carefree teen to a young adult with a dangerous secret and worry and sadness. But he never lost his spirit! 

I loved watching him and Captain Toledano form a friendship. It was nice seeing the captain take José under his wing. 

By the end, I found that I enjoyed it, but it also saddened me. Some people are just so evil. Humans can really stink, but I loved the ending message here. There is hope for humanity, but it is a rough road. 

I loved, loved, LOVED the art. It was perfect for this story. It was a perfect balance of realistic vs animated. I think kids will really like it.

The only thing I consider an "issue" is that I felt like we needed more. I would've loved to see/read more of José's lessons with Captain Toledano. Learn more about the history of the Jewish people and the religion. Maybe see more about what it takes to be a pirate like fighting, etc. Maybe an extra couple of pages? I think that would've been an extra cherry on top.

In the end, I really enjoyed reading this. Can this please be made into a TV show or a movie??? I would for sure watch that! The story, the characters, the message...bravo. If you like historical fiction you'll enjoy this. I think this would be a good story for kids...especially if they like pirates. It has a great message at the end. Overall, I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

This giveaway is for 2 print copies One for each of 2 winners. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on July 1, 2022 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt & Book Giveaway: QUEEN OF HELL by Danae L. Samms

Queen of Hell by Danae L. Samms

Publication Date: November 9, 2020
Paperback & eBook; 446 pages

Series: Persephone, Book One
Genre: Historical Fiction

1765. Persephone Nicholas has lived her twenty years with a father she cannot stand. Secluded on their plantation, Persephone feels she has a life destined for spinsterhood. "Life is Heaven for men and Hell for women" is her mantra. But on a visit to her cousin's wedding, she meets young Mr. Elijah Parker. Opportunities show that things can be much sweeter, and Persephone begins to question her thoughts on life. As the world continues to throw her hardships and struggle, Persephone chooses to fight and master the life she's been handed to become Queen of the Hell she living in.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Danae L. Samms has always been a creator. Loving books, television, and being outside fueled her imagination. Her writing began when she was four with her first play, and continued to grow to a degree in journalism. Finding newspapers terrible and websites tolerable, she paid the bills as a freelance writer. Eventually, her creativity produced a novel and a thousand ideas waiting to become novels. Regularly, she keeps up with a blog of Unqualified Advice on Writing and Everything Else. The only thing she’s been doing longer than writing is horseback riding. While horse shoes were never her forte, Danae has spent plenty of time riding and training. Most of that is with her horse Maggie.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 24
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, May 25
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Excerpt at Carole's Ramblings

Wednesday, May 26
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Thursday, May 27
Review at Two Bookish Babes
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Friday, May 28
Review at Booking With Janelle

Saturday, May 29
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Monday, May 31
Review at Novels Alive
Review at Rajiv's Reviews

Tuesday, June 1
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, June 3
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink
Review at Probably at the Library

Friday, June 4
Interview at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of Queen of Hell by Danae L. Samms!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on June 4th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Queen of Hell

EXCERPT:

Feature & Giveaway: A Flame Through Eternity by Anna Belfrage

A Flame Through Eternity by Anna Belfrage

Publication Date: December 2, 2019

Timelight Press

Series: The Wanderer, Book Three

Genre: Historical Fiction

It started 3,000 years ago. It ends now. Who survives the final confrontation?

 According to Helle Madsen, being the protagonist of a time-spanning epic love story has some things going for it, primarily Jason Morris. Because seriously, meeting up with your fated lover after 3 000 years apart is not badóat all. Unfortunately, where Jason goes, there goes Sam Woolf, yet another very, very ancient acquaintanceówith the fundamental difference that Sam is not into Happily Ever After. Heís into destruction, more specifically of Jason and Helle. Helle may believe in second-chance love, but she sure doesnít believe in reincarnation. Okay, she didnít believe in stuff like that until she met Jason Morris a year or so ago. By now, she has accepted that sometimes impossible things are quite, quite possibleólike an ancient princess being reborn as an ambitious financial analyst. Finding Jason was like finding the part of her that had always been missingóa perfect match. But handling Sam Woolf, the reborn version of their ancient nemesis is something of a trial. No sooner do you have him well and surely beat, but up he bounces again. Sheesh, will it take an oak stake to permanently rid their lives of him? Sam Woolf is a powerful adversary. Too powerful, even. Jason and Helle will need help from unexpected quarters to finally bring this tangled, ancient love-and-hate triangle to some sort of conclusion. Question is, will they survive the experience?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, sheíd have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17^th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The Kingís Greatest Enemy which is set in 14^th century England. (Medieval knight was also high on Annaís list of potential professions. Yet another disappointmentÖ) With Jason and Helle, Anna has stepped out of her historical comfort zone and has loved doing so. Find out more about Anna by visiting her website, www.annabelfrage.com, You can also connect with Anna on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 2 paperback copies of A Flame Through Eternity! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter. ñ Paperback giveaway is open internationally. Only one entry per household. ñ All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen. A Flame Through Eternity

GIVEAWAY & Book Review: The Bridled Tongue by Catherine Meyrick

Bridled Tongue

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on March 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

Author: Catherine Meyrick
Title: The Bridled Tongue
Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance
Format: ebook
Pages: 356 
Published: February 1st 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



England 1586

Alyce Bradley has few choices when her father decides it is time she marry as many refuse to see her as other than the girl she once was—unruly, outspoken and close to her grandmother, a woman suspected of witchcraft.

Thomas Granville, an ambitious privateer, inspires fierce loyalty in those close to him and hatred in those he has crossed. Beyond a large dowry, he is seeking a virtuous and dutiful wife. Neither he nor Alyce expect more from marriage than mutual courtesy and respect.

As the King of Spain launches his great armada and England braces for invasion, Alyce must confront closer dangers from both her own and Thomas’s past, threats that could not only destroy her hopes of love and happiness but her life. And Thomas is powerless to help. 



This intrigued me from the moment I looked at the cover. Plus I needed a good historical fiction!


The story follows Alyce Bradley. She has always been independent and have a wicked tongue. Now that she is older her father is forcing her to marry but he is letting her have the final word on which suitor. In the end she picks Thomas Granville who is an ambitious privateer. The don't expect more than mutual courtesy and respect but it turns to love. Their happiness and love is threatened when dangers arise.


Awww I adored Alyce. I just wanted her to be happy. I liked Thomas as well, but I was worried about him at first, but he grew on me. 


Ooooo Isabel. I felt bad for her, but I wanted to smack her. Blaming Alyce for all your problems is not cool! Ugh. Honestly everyone sucked. They are soooooo petty and want to put the blame on everyone and anyone else. Sure Alyce has had a wicked tongue, but she is a good person. So sad. Bad things happen people! 


I was honestly hooked from page one! So good! I finished this in just a couple of sittings. 


I was worried near the end though. I didn't know what was going to happen. There was a moment there I had my worries about our characters. The ending bugged me a tiny bit. I can't put my finger on it, but something felt like it was missing. Maybe it was because I wanted more in the epilogue? I felt like it was too short.


Overall, I really enjoyed this! It was really good! Sure, I wanted more from the ending but all-in-all this is one I highly recommend it. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Blast and Book Giveaway - CLASH OF EMPIRES by Paul Bennett

Clash of Empires by Paul Bennett

Publication Date: December 8, 2016 Paperback & eBook; 224 Pages ISBN-13: 978-1540666628 Series: The Mallory Saga, Book #1 Genre: Historical Fiction     

In 1756, Britain and France are on a collision course for control of the North American continent. The eventual result can be described as the first world war, known as the Seven Year’s War in Europe and the French and Indian War in the colonies. The Mallory family uproots from eastern Pennsylvania, and moves to the western frontier, where they find themselves in the middle of war. Daniel, Liam, and Liza (the three Mallory siblings) become involved in the conflict in ways that lead to emotional trauma for each. The story focuses on historical events and includes historical characters. Clash of Empires is an exciting look at the developments leading to the events of July 1776, which are chronicled in the sequel as we follow the exploits and fate of the Mallory clan.

"I feel both educated and thoroughly entertained by Mr. Bennett’s debut novel ‘Clash of Empires’. Rich in detail mined from the author’s clearly painstaking research, we find lessons that should have been learned from the distant past rising to the fore once more; cannons boom, bullets fly and tomahawks spin through the air as the war builds towards a brutal climax. A fresh voice and a cracking tale. Recommended!" - Author Gordon Doherty

Amazon US | Amazon UK | IndieBound

About the Author

Paul’s education was of the public variety and when he reached Junior High he discovered that his future did not include the fields of mathematics or science. This was generally the case throughout his years in school as he focused more on his interest in history; not just the rote version of names and dates but the causes. Paul studied Classical Civilization at Wayne State University with a smattering of Physical Anthropology thrown in for good measure. Logically, of course, Paul spent the next four decades drawing upon that vast store of knowledge working in large, multi-platform data centers, and is considered in the industry as a bona fide IBM Mainframe dinosaur heading for extinction. Paul currently resides in the quaint New England town of Salem, Massachusetts with his wife, Daryl. The three children have all grown, in the process turning Paul’s beard gray, and have now provided four grandchildren; the author is now going bald. For more information, please visit the Mallory Saga Facebook page. You can also find Paul on his Blog, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Book Blast Schedule

Thursday, September 20 Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots 
Friday, September 21 Passages to the Past 
Monday, September 24 Donna's Book Blog 
Tuesday, September 25 Impressions In Ink 
Wednesday, September 26 SilverWoodSketches 
Thursday, September 27 The Book Junkie Reads 
Carole Rae's Random Ramblings 
Friday, September 28 Jathan & Heather 
Monday, October 1 Book Nerd The Lit Bitch 
Tuesday, October 2 Just One More Chapter
Wednesday, October 3 Svetlana's Reads and Views 
Thursday, October 4 A Darn Good Read 
Friday, October 5 100 Pages a Day 
Monday, October 8 CelticLady's Reviews 
Tuesday, October 9 Maiden of the Pages 
Wednesday, October 10 The Book Review 
Friday, October 12 Bri's Book Nook

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a signed copy of Clash of Empires to one lucky reader! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. 

Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US/Canada only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Clash of Empires Blast

Book Blast & Giveaway - Raven's Eye by Adam Gowans

Ever since magic caused his mother's death, Ha-Neul, crown prince of Balhae, hates witches and the magic they wield. He has instituted harsh laws against all magic users.

Lisa is a young witch working undercover as a servant in his palace, hoping to gain freedom for her people. The last thing the two expect is to fall in love. But when Ha-Neul learns that Lisa is not only a witch, but the daughter of the Prince of Vires, land of witches, he banishes her. Distracted by heartbreak, he is caught off-guard by a military coup.

In hiding and on the run, Ha-Neul swallows his pride and travels with his siblings to Vires, planning to beg Lisa's aid, only to learn that she has mysteriously vanished.

Now his only hope in reclaiming his kingdom and reuniting with Lisa lies in the remote Northern Mountains, a country no one has ever penetrated and rumored home of a powerful magic source. There, Ha-Neul learns that a being powerful beyond comprehension has been carefully guiding his destiny. But if Ha-Neul can't let go of his hatred of all things magic, and accept the new path offered to him, it will mean the destruction of his entire world.

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 

Adam Gowans is the youngest of five Air Force brats, out of which his siblings have voted him the weirdest. He loves anything that deals with stories, including movies, novels, television dramas, music, video games, manga/manhwa, and webtoons.

In his mid-twenties, he lived and taught English in South Korea for four years before returning to the States to live, like many LDS authors, in Utah.

His first novel is On Angelic Wings, which has a planned sequel, but the sequel will be released after two other novels that are calling for his attention.

~ Facebook ~ Website ~

~ Amazon ~

Excerpt 2:

After they ate a filling breakfast, they ordered a picnic from the café and walked to a large park. There, they played on the playground like the children. Eventually they were playing with the children as well. He usually played the monster or bad guy since he was the scary-looking one of the two, but sometimes Lisa would join him in chasing the children when they least expected it. When they or the children got tired, they left the playground to sit on a bench and share a water bottle from their picnic basket.

They ate lunch a little after one. Both were flushed and tired from playing so much. They laid out the blanket that came with the basket and began eating cold-cut sandwiches, fruit, salad, and brownies. At one point, Lisa pulled out her cell phone and held it up to take his picture.

“What’re you doing?” He smiled.

“Capturing a memory,” she said and took the picture.

He laughed. “Why capturing?”

She smiled, but something in her smile caused him to become concerned. She seemed to notice and unexpectedly sat in his lap, her legs on either side of his so her knees brushed his hips. Her hands went to his shoulders, near his neck, and she stared into his eyes. His heart raced, and he felt his insides shift with the want of having her so close and to pull her closer still. Involuntarily, his breath drew in a little more ragged, and he had to fight down his excitement.

“Capture,” she said with quiet sincerity, “so these memories never fade, so we can always find them.”

His eyes went to her lips as his hands slid to her hips and tugged her closer. She leaned in as a hint of a smile played at her lips, then she kissed his forehead, causing his hands to clutch her tighter as he let out a sigh of pleasure. She looked down into his eyes and smiled when she saw the effect she had on him.

“You see?” she whispered. “I’ve already captured you.”

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