Happy Publication Day to Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe!
From the Blurb:
Set over the course of a day, a girl realizes her life on a glittering, magical island isn’t what it seems in a 1920s-set fantasy, inspired by The Tempest.
The only life Mae has ever known is on the island, living on the charity of the wealthy Prosper family who control the magic on the island and the spirits who inhabit it. Mae longs for magic of her own and to have a place among the Prosper family, where her best friend, Coco, will see her as an equal, and her crush, Miles, will finally see her. Now that she’s eighteen, Mae knows her time with the Prospers may soon come to an end.
But tonight is First Night, when the Prospers and their high-society friends return to the island to celebrate the night Lord Prosper first harnessed the island’s magic and started producing aether – a magical fuel source that has revolutionized the world. With everyone returning to the island, Mae finally has the chance to go after what she’s always wanted.
When the spirits start inexplicably dying, Mae starts to realize that things aren’t what they seem. And Ivo, the reclusive, mysterious heir to the Prosper magic, may hold all the answers—including a secret about Mae’s past that she doesn’t remember. As Mae and her friends begin to unravel the mysteries of the island, and the Prospers’ magic, Mae starts to question the truth of what her world was built on.
Samantha Cohoe writes historically-inspired young adult fantasy. She was raised in San Luis Obispo, California, where she enjoyed an idyllic childhood of beach trips, omnivorous reading, and writing stories brimming with adverbs. She currently lives in Denver with her family and divides her time among teaching Latin, mothering, writing, reading, and deleting adverbs. A Golden Fury is her debut novel.
Are you excited about this new release? Have you read Bright Ruined Things? If yes, did you like it?
Happy Publication Day to The Thousand Eyes, the sequel to A. K. Larkwood’s debut fantasy, The Unspoken Name.
From the Blurb:
The sequel to A. K. Larkwood’s stunning debut fantasy, The Unspoken Name, which was nominated for the Astounding Award for best new writer and two Goldie Awards, for Best Debut Novel and for Science Fiction/Fantasy. Perfect for fans of Jenn Lyons, Tamsyn Muir, and Ursula K. Le Guin.
Two years after defying the wizard Belthandros Sethennai and escaping into the great unknown, Csorwe and her mage-girlfriend are making a happy, quiet life together.
Meanwhile, the walking disaster known as Tal Charossa has returned to his family home to sulk over his heartbreak and unemployment in peace.
Tal, Csorwe, and Shuthmili would each love to never see the smug face of Belthandros Sethennai or an undead follower of the Unspoken One ever again. But when fragments of an angry goddess awaken throughout the worlds of the Echo Maze, they may find that an ancient common enemy is all it takes to bring the band back together.
A K Larkwood is a science fiction and fantasy writer and enthusiast. She studied English at St John’s College, Cambridge. She has worked in higher education & media relations, and is now studying law. She lives in Oxford, England, with her wife and a cat.
It’s Monday! What are you Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, a place to share and discuss what we’ve read in the past week and what we’re in the middle of or are planning to read this week.
What I read / listened to last week:
Illuminae by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – a buddy read with Yesha. I loved the unusual format and all the twists that did keep us on our toes! Yesha was much better at guessing what was going on 🙂 Watch out for her review!
Goodbye Again (Wyndham Beach, 2) by Mariah Stewart. This is the second story about three women in their late fifties, three life-long friends. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about starting this book, knowing that it will deal with the aftermath of a suicide (the protagonist’s daughter) and its effect on the people the person who commits it leaves behind. Mariah Stewart is a wonderful writer and she did deal with this painful topic in a very sensitive way. Now I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
What I am reading/listening to now:
Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cahoe
The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
What I’m reading /listening to next:
Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett
Under One Roof by Samantha Tonge
How did your last week go and what are you reading this week?
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who celebrates it!
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the Blog Blitz for The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan. Today I’m delighted to present a Q&A session with Susan!
Interview with Susan Buchanan
What’s your favourite TV show?
I don’t watch much TV, but right now, I am catching up on 9 seasons of Suits. Mike and Harvey are particularly easy on the eye! And prior to that I had my fill of Tom Ward on Lucifer. I tend to be about a decade late watching anything!
Which book do you wish you’d written?
Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind. I loved this book – this series – and it helped greatly that I had studied Hispanic Studies at uni, as well as having lived and worked in Barcelona.
Favourite book of 2021
I was actually so busy re-releasing my backlist and updating the covers, releasing paperbacks of the backlist for the first time, last year, that I had barely any time to read. However, one book that really stuck with me was Fiona Lucas’ The Last Goodbye. And if I can sneak in a festive read too, I’d add The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane by Jaimie Admans, which I absolutely adored.
Do you have any pets?
I have a three-year-old Labrador called Benji. He is more of a polar bear though as he’s enormous. He is the biggest softie in the history of Labradors. He even smiles, I kid you not!
Do you get writer’s block and if so how do you deal with it?
I don’t get writer’s block, thankfully. I do get writer’s fatigue sometimes! And writer’s overload. And I definitely get writer’s ‘you’ve messed up your timeline, go back and fix it’, but I tend to be able to write myself out of a corner fairly easily. Plus, I never run out of ideas. I have the next 8 books planned, and in fact, I actually buy myself Papier notebooks, personalised with the name of the book on it, so I feel I have to write it!!
Which writers who have now sadly passed on, do you think have left a great hole for readers?
Well, definitely Michael Crichton, who wrote Jurassic Park among other books; Carlos Ruiz Zafón; Henning Mankell – the Swedish author who wrote the Wallander books; Maeve Binchy, Irish author of many romantic novels including Circle of Friends and Evening Class, not just because I miss reading her books, but because from her books I learned how to craft believable, relatable and characters we wanted to be friends with; Stieg Larsson, author of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series.
Which character(s) in your genre do you particularly like?
I loved Bridget Jones (and was often compared to her – possibly for my culinary skills – blue soup would have been totally possible from my kitchen a decade ago!) I also loved Rebecca Bloomwood in Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, even though the only shopaholic tendencies I have relate to books.
What do you hope to achieve in 2022?
Quite a lot! I have 3 more books to write in the Just One Day series. I’m looking forward to going on a couple of writing retreats this year, so hopefully I can get the words down!
I also hope to be taken on by a publisher (for a book that is still out on submission).
I’d like to find the right work/life balance – don’t we all?
All my books will be in paperback in 2022, but by the end of the year, I would like to have one or two in audio book too. You heard it here first!
Thank you, Susan, and all the best to your new release
The Dating Game!
The Dating Game
Work, work, work. That’s all recruitment consultant Gill does. Her friends fix her up with numerous blind dates, none suitable, until one day Gill decides enough is enough. Seeing an ad on a bus billboard for Happy Ever After dating agency ‘for the busy professional’, on impulse she signs up. Soon she has problems juggling her social life as well as her work diary.
Before long she’s experiencing laughs, lust and … could it be love? But just when things are looking up for Gill, an unexpected reunion forces her to make an impossible choice. Will she get her happy ever after, or is she destined to be married to her job forever?
Author Bio – Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband, their two young children and a crazy Labrador called Benji. She has been reading since the age of four and had to get an adult library pass early as she had read the entire children’s section by the age of ten.
Susan writes contemporary fiction, often set in Scotland, usually featuring travel, food or Christmas. When not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, Susan loves reading (obviously), the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!
Twitter /Facebook / Instagram
Giveaway to Win Paperback copies of Just One Day – Winter and The Dating Game (UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books (directly from their authors or Netgalley and Edelweiss, books you’re given as gifts, physical copies, ebooks and audiobooks.
NetGalley/Edelweiss/ Blog Tours:
Purchased:
Fingers crossed none of these will spend long time on my gigantic tbr and will quietly move to the read shelf very soon! Here is to wishful thinking 🙂
Happy Reading to all of us!
What did you add to your shelves this week? Do any of these books appeal to you?
Love & Other Forbidden Things: What you don’t know, can’t hurt… by Lyndsey Gallagher (The Professional Players Series, #4) Publication date: February 10th 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Amy Harrington is struggling to readjust to life at home in Ireland after the cosmopolitan buzz of London. Sick of being the only singleton on the shelf, she longs to find the right man, but the second any potential candidate realises who her famous rugby playing brother is, they spend more time worshipping him than her.
Irish rugby player Ollie Quinn is newly single and ready to mingle. When he meets a brunette in the players’ lounge, he promises to show her Ireland can be every bit as exciting as London, before realising she’s Eddie Harrington’s little sister. Despite the explosive chemistry between them, it’s one promise he can’t keep – everyone knows messing with your friend’s sister is forbidden.
When Amy lands her dream job, physiotherapist to the rugby team, the two are forced to face the growing chemistry between them. Injuries on the pitch seem minimal compared to what Eddie might do if he discovers their dalliances.
Is it simply the temptation of tasting forbidden fruit? Or will forbidden turn into forever?
Perfect romantic reading for fans of Lyssa Kay Adams, Tessa Bailey and Sally Thorne.
Lyndsey Gallagher is the kindle bestselling author of six contemporary romance novels, with many more on the way! An unashamed romantic, forever in search of the next happy ever after, her debut novel The Seven Year Itch was inspired by the weekend she met her husband. Lyndsey lives in the West of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. She enjoys long walks, deep talks and the occasional G & T!
Wishcraft by Ali Lucia Sky (The Powers That Be, #2) Publication date: February 8th 2022 Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Synopsis:
With Michaela in the debt of Shayteen, Whisper is finally free of the Hell World he suffered in for hundreds of demon years. But there seems to be a price for Whisper’s all-new freedom and it has made Whisper’s life just as, or even more complicated. Whisper is serving his true nature and dealing with Michaela’s service to Shayteen, all while trying to hang on to a stubborn soulmate, who won’t forgive him for the most ridiculously perceived transgressions in this life, and one or two from some previous ones. Stuck in the middle of everything, is a broken hearted Gabriel, whose odd obsessions with cooking shows, has turned him into Suzy Homemaker.
~ It’s best to know, you leave those you care about before they leave you. I’m Theadora Langdon … and EVERYTHING sucks.
Ali Lucia Sky is the author of The Powers That Be series. She lives in Southern California with her husband and a house full of kitty cats and a yard full of crows.
She loves laughing, drinking good coffee, the smell of pizza, and supporting animal rescues.
When she isn’t writing or dreaming of new stories, she can be found planning her next vacation because traveling is LIFE.
If you encounter her in the wild, don’t be offended if she should run away. She’s timid with strangers, but can be plied with shiny things and pictures of your cat or dog.
Perky by Julia Kent (Do-Over, #2) Publication date: July 30th 2019 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
AN ALL-NEW STANDALONE FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR JULIA KENT
One hundred years ago when I was young and impulsive (okay, it was five, alright? Five years ago…) I let my boyfriend take, let’s just say…compromising pictures of me. (Shut up. It made sense at the time).
Surprise! The sleazy back-stabbing jerk posted them on a website and, well, you can guess what happened. That’s right. I’m a meme. A really gross one. You’re seen the pictures. And if you haven’t – don’t ask. And don’t look!
As face recognition software online improves, I get tagged on social media whenever anyone shares my pictures. You try getting a thousand notifications a day, all of them pictures of your tatas. So. I’m done. It’s time for revenge. Let him see how it feels! But how do you get embarrassingly intimate pictures of your jerkface ex who double-crossed you five years ago? Especially when he’s a member of the U.S.House of Representatives now? Getting sweet between the sheets with a congressman is pretty much every political roadie’s dream, right? I’m one in a crowd. Except to this day, he swears he didn’t do it. Pursued me for months after I dumped him five years ago. Begged me to take him back. And I almost did it. Almost. I was weak and stupid and in love a hundred years ago. Okay. Fine. Five. But I still have the upper hand. Second chance romance has all the emotional feels, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to punch him in the feels. All I need to do is sleep with him once, take some hot-and-sweaty pics of him in… delicate positions, and bring him down. That’s it. Nothing more. Pictures first. Revenge after. And then I win. At least, that’s how it was supposed to happen. But then I did something worse than sexting. I fell in love with him. Again.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 1.5 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 16 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French and German, with more titles releasing soon. From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men’s room toilet (and he isn’t a billionaire). She lives in New England with her husband and three children in a household where the toilet seat is never, ever, down.
The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith Publication date: September 29th 2015 Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.
“A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!” 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, will the boys be able to defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.
K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards, is an author, screenwriter, and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. She inspires people of all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational, and life pursuits. Visit K.N. Smith at www.knsmith.com.
A Court of Crows by Eliza Eveland (Talons and Tethers, #1) Publication date: February 10th 2022 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis:
A young queen in peril. A city under siege. An elven mercenary with a dark desire.
Nineteen-year-old Eris Telari was never supposed to rule Brucia. She’s always been more interested in swordplay than courtly intrigue.
After her brother’s assassination, however, Eris has no choice but to take up the crown and defend her city against an invasion led by an undefeated elven warlord.
With Brucia’s forces decimated, and a siege looming, Eris needs help. Who better to repel the elven invaders than a band of elven mercenaries?
Their leader, Ruith, is as charming as he is deadly, and used to getting what he wants. Six thousand swords strong, his Crows have a reputation for winning against impossible odds. He won’t take a fight he can’t win, and now he has his sights set on Eris…
Is it her kingdom he wants? Or her?
With assassins and traitors still lurking around every corner, and an army nearly twenty thousand strong at her gates, Eris cannot afford to turn away the Crows’ assistance. Even with their help, the battle for Brucia will be hard-won.
And the most dangerous threat may already be inside her walls and vying for a place at her side…
A Court of Crows is the first book in the gripping Talons and Tethers Saga, a new adult fantasy romance series. Expect courtly intrigue, assassination plots, plenty of heart-pounding action sequences, and strong heroines who do their own rescuing.
NOTE: This series contains four separate slow-burn romances that unfold over several books. Ruith and his Crow commanders have varying and diverse tastes when it comes to romance, but all of them enjoy plenty of spice, so grab your copy and prepare to meet your next book boyfriend(s)!
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