Giveaway to Celebrate the Release of Applegate Farm

Win a Kindle Fire ereader and all the stories and books in the Antrim Cycle! Applegate Farm released May 24th

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Book Review: Alora: The Wander Jewel by Tamie Dearen

Alora is a fifteen-year old girl living in Montana with her Uncle Charles. She has two good friends, Beth and Wesley and is a fairly high-school student until she starts having visions of a boy with green eyes. Kaevin lives in a different world, but he is having visions of Alora also. That's when Alora finds out that she has the power of traveling to his land and bringing him to her own.
I don't want to give too much away. Alora and Kaevin, with the help of their friends, must fight to stop a war between the Clans in Kaevin's land that was instigated by her father, a sorcerer and leader in one of the Clans. Alora's power to transport things is key to winning the war.
Alora and Kaevin are destined soul-mates. This is definitely YA fantasy and I am always a little wary of teenage 'mean-for-each-other' romances, but this is a sweet story that will appeal to teenagers and older.

Link to Amazon

Book Review: Forest of Demons by Debbie Cassidy

Forest of Demons in the first book in the Sleeping God series by Debbie Cassidy.
The author says the book was inspired by her father's love of Hindu mythology and I found the story very interesting. Priya is a young woman, living with her parents and a little old by the standards of her village to be unmarried. The reason she is unmarried is because she is in love with her friend who is engaged to her other friend. Demons live in the forest all around the village and occasionally, one of the inhabitants is killed by them. This is what happens to Priya's friend who is engaged to marry the man Priya loves.
Meanwhile, the blacksmith Ravi looks out for Priya also and wants to marry her. The story is entertaining and the characters introduced are interesting, each with their own secrets that are discovered as the book proceeds.
Then the book suddenly switches to another culture and lead character, Aryan, a warrior in a militarized city. Again, the myths told and the customs of the new city are interesting though for most of this part of the story, I didn't understand the connection with the first part of the book. Eventually, the stories mesh and some of the background is made clear.
Forest of Demons is good story-telling. I would have liked something up front that hinted at the divergent stories; it was disconcerting to suddenly switch. I also am a person who is not fond of cliffhangers, though I deal with them better if I know upfront. While the paperback apparently indicates this is Book 1, I couldn't tell from the ebook edition until I reached the end and saw the author's note about Book 2. However, this is my own personal quirk and it probably won't bother most people.
I will read the next book because the story is good and the culture and mythology engrossing.

Link to Amazon

Book Review: Atlantis after Midnite by Lisa Kulow

Atlantis after Midnite is the first book by Lisa Kulow. The story is an alternate tale of what happened to Atlantis.

The land of Atlantis has been struck by a plague and other disasters. A maiden named Yew'll is the one person who is immune to the disease and King Urian orders her to be brought before him so he can learn her secret. His son, Prince Kyrian, falls in love with her beauty and the two begin a romance. Meanwhile, the king tries to save his people from the destruction coming from the gods. I don't want to give the rest of the story away, but suffice it to say that this is a different twist to the Atlantis myth.

There are a lot of characters and the story alternates from person to person, making it someone confusing at times. The book could benefit from an editor. There are a lot of steamy scenes so be prepared.

Link to Amazon

June Issue Fantasy Worlds emag is out!

June issue...out now!!!! You can download the pdf from media fire..or read online via ISSUU - http://www.mediafire.com/…/huwzr8nh38fe…/June_Issue_2016.pdf
http://issuu.com/fantasyworldsemag/docs/june_issue_2016

Trad Tuesday: I am Stretched On Your Grave - sung by Kate Rusby

"I Am Stretched on Your Grave" is a translation of an anonymous 17th-century Irish poem titled "Táim sínte ar do thuama" It was translated into English several times, most notably by Frank O'Connor. It was put to music by musician Philip King in 1979.

It is set to the tune of "Taim Sinte ar do Thuamba", Hymn #47 in Danta De: Idir Sean agus Nuad (the Trinity Sunday hymn "Dia an t-Athair do shealbhaig flaitheas naomhtha"). The hymnal says the tune is from Munster. (from Wikipedia)

Kate Rusby is one of my favorite singers. She comes from Barnsley, Yorkshire, England and is one of the most noted contemporary folksingers.

Book Review: The Purse by Julie Burns

The Purse is an interesting mystery, full of twists and turns. Lydia Blackwell comes home to visit her dying father and finds out that the mother she thought died when she was little is still alive. She meets a stranger at his funeral who gives her an antique purse that belonged to her mother. This sets off a trail of murder, kidnapping, and family secrets revealed.
Lt Sonja MacIntosh is assigned to  investigate one of the murders and she and Lydia have an instant attraction to each other. Together, they work to unwind the story of Lydia's mother and who the mob figures are who have so impacted Lydia's life.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the relationship between Lydia and Sonja and how it evolved. Overall, I liked the evolving twists in the story, though I thought a few were a bit too coincidental (her highway car breakdown was one). Still, the writing was good and I will definitely read more by this author.

Link to Amazon