Title: From the
Grave Author: Karina
Espinosa Genre: Urban
Fantasy Narrator:
Nicole Poole Cover Designer:
Covers by Christian Audio Publisher:
Tantor Audio Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
Secrets don't stay buried forever.
Mackenzie Grey
is a lone wolf who's earned her fair share of battle scars from the past, but
that's all over now. Or so she thought.
Known as the
Freedom Princess, her heroic deeds have come with a heavy price when a
mysterious new villain emerges, one who's intent on killing Sebastian. As a new
breed of danger lurks on the horizon, secrets between Bash and Kenz pile up and
her worst nightmare is realized.
Mackenzie spent
the last three years learning who she was in Origins. Now she will face her
greatest challenges in Trials....
Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy Author of the Mackenzie Grey novels and The Last Valkyrie series. An avid reader throughout her life, the world of Urban Fantasy easily became an obsession that turned into a passion for writing strong leading characters with authentic story arcs. When she isn't writing badass heroines, you can find this self-proclaimed nomad in her South Florida home binge watching the latest series on Netflix or traveling far and wide for the latest inspiration for her books. Follow her on social media!
“One is an opportunity. Two is a threat. Three is an invasion.”
For hundreds of years, strange things have been washing up on the shores of Darcentaria. But when a young foreign woman named El is found unconscious on the beach amidst the burning wreckage of a strange metal craft, the villagers of Odessa are immediately suspicious—is she an agent of the Dalriadan Empire, their cruel oppressors for as long as they can remember? Or does she come from the Outside, the vast and legendary lands beyond their borders from which no man or woman alive has ever returned?
Torsten Eiselher, a talented young swordsman, has spent the last nine years of his life wrongfully imprisoned by his uncle, the Empire’s ruler. Betrayed and deceived at every turn, Torsten has survived by keeping a firm grip on his sword—and by staying well away from anything to do with the Outside. But when his young sister is murdered, Torsten finds himself irrevocably drawn to El despite her Outsider heritage—and he begins to question everything he has been told about her world.
Intrigued by the existence of a powerful and dangerously advanced world within his reach, the Empire’s ruler, Jurien Arminius, launches a hunt for El and the two Outsiders that arrived with her—the ones who could help him win his war against Torsten and the rebellion that threatens to topple his Empire.
Suddenly, Torsten is forced to choose between defeating his long-term enemy or saving the woman he has come to love . . .
When the guards stopped before the bars of one cell and held the lantern aloft, she recognized Eiselher’s build immediately, an imposing figure in the semi-darkness. Her eyes met his, and she recoiled instinctively, feeling an icy rush down her spine. He looked as if he’d seen Hell itself and returned with the fierce heat of it still simmering in his eyes. She’d never been so afraid of any man. Or so drawn.
The guards had made sure that he was well-restrained—more for their sake than hers. His hands were cuffed in front of him, his ankles chained together. She saw that a long chain ran though the links of his leg manacles, shackling him to the wall. Yet he could, she saw, come almost halfway across the cell she was to share with him. She wondered what this man—whose name was spoken with such fear by the guards—had done to incite the personal wrath of Jurien Arminius, whom she now knew as the marque, the ruler of the Dalriadan Empire. He did not, she thought, look like an innocent casualty.
Recalling the death of the previous marque the day she arrived in Antaris, she wondered if he was royalty. There was a wild, animal pride to the set of his broad shoulders that stood out to her. He was very tall—that much she could tell even from him sitting down—and he was dark-skinned, although not as dark as the other Dalriadans she had seen. She saw that his face was uncommonly handsome, despite the stoniness. An unkempt beard concealed most of his mouth, and there was a thin scar across one of his cheeks, just below his left eye. She knew that it was his eyes that drew her. Beyond the fierce anger and hatred, she thought she saw something like bleakness.
Other Books in the Series
The Secret of Fire
(The Darcentaria Duology #2)
By J.J. Fischer
Christian Historical Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
July 13, 2021 by Ambassador International
Only one can save them.
The Rebellion has fallen.
The door to the Outside has been opened.
And the one who opened it—Jurien Arminius—is now the most powerful man in Darcentaria.
But everything they have known is about to change forever.
Separated by Arminius but fighting to get back to each other, El and Torsten encounter unlikely allies that reveal stunning truths about each other, the Outside, and the very beginnings of Darcentaria itself.
Jasmine (J.J. Fischer) is living proof that it is possible to be addicted to tea and coffee simultaneously. Both made it possible for her to complete her Bachelor degree in English Literature and Creative Writing in 2012.
Jasmine is married to David, and together they are the proud owner-parents of five warring pet chickens who tolerate each others' existence—most days. When tempted away from the keyboard, she enjoys reading, thinking about lasagna almost as often as Garfield the cat, and working towards her black belt in karate. She vows to one day write the perfect fight scene.
Jasmine makes her home near Sydney, Australia, where most animals want to kill you and drop bears enforce a daily reign of terror. If you're reading this, please send help.
One winner will receive print copies of The Sword in His Hand and The Secret Fire, a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card and a $5 discount code to Ambassador International's store (US only)
All I wanted was to get away from my coven and its archaic rules. My dream is to live a regular human life, but when my wish to leave the coven is granted, of course there’s strings attached. Given to the shifter pack near us, freedom is even further away.
The only good thing about my new life is the sexy, new alpha of the pack, Ryder. But submitting to this life still means captivity, and no matter what kind of attraction we have, I refuse to accept it regardless of what fate may be trying to tell me.
Ryder
I needed magic to save my dying father, and what I got instead was a witch who wants out of the supernatural life. She gives me more than I bargained for when I realize she’s my future. We reach an understanding, but she’s bound and determined to leave the pack and coven life behind.
But I won’t let her go, as even if she’s chosen to fight me on this, she belongs with me.
♦ ♦ ♦
M.L. Philpitt is Canadian-born and raised. As a Ravenclaw, she loves education, having undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Sociology, a certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences, and a MA in Counselling Psychology.
She writes in various romance new adult genres including but not limited to paranormal, fantasy, dark romance, and contemporary. She has lots of crazy trapped in her head for readers to enjoy.
When M.L. Philpitt isn’t making up stories, she’s enjoying those imagined by other authors. Her love of reading began when she was a young child and only grew with age. She likes many genres, as reflected in her writing preferences. Despite being an author, she’s an active ARC reader, book buyer, and moderator for The New Adult Book Club on Goodreads.
The USA Today bestselling author of the Oyster Bay series invites readers to return to Evening Island for a heartwarming, stand-alone story about three sisters at very different crossroads in their lives who reunite for one unforgettable summer at their family's lake house.
The Taylor sisters spent every summer at their family’s lake house, but as they grew up, they also grew apart. Now, in honor of their late mother’s wishes, they reunite on Evening Island, each hoping to find the best part of themselves they’d left behind.
Kim is just weeks away from what should be her dream wedding, but as the big day draws closer, her doubts only grow stronger. Some time away may be just the thing she needs to help clear her head…or change her heart.
Heather has always been the reliable sister, but a recent divorce has made everything feel uncertain. When a second chance with an old flame comes along, she must decide if a summer love can last a lifetime.
Andrea’s career is her top priority, even if her heart is no longer in it. When her boss suggests a vacation, a couple of weeks on the island leads to the inspiration she was searching for, and not just for work…
Thanks to the beauty of the island and the memories they share, the sisters come together, search their hearts, and discover what the future holds for each of them at summer’s end.
From USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Miles comes the first in a collection of stand-alone novels set on the fictional shores of Evening Island—just a ferry ride across the lake from Blue Harbor, home to the newest heartwarming series!
The Morgan sisters spent many blissful summers at their family's lake house growing up, but as they grew older, their lives took very different paths.
Hope adores her twin girls, but she doesn't love being a stay-at-home mom. When her workaholic husband doesn't support her career aspirations, she packs up the kids and goes to Sunset Cottage, thinking that some time apart will help her decide what she really wants-but when the life she dreamed of becomes a possibility, she is more torn than ever.
Gemma was supposed to be planning her wedding, not trying to get back deposits. And she was supposed to be finished writing her latest romance novel, not staring at a blank screen. Lost and down on her luck, she heads north to Evening Island, hoping to find the inspiration she needs to fill the page, and maybe, her heart.
Ellie is almost perfectly content living in the house that once belonged to her grandmother, even if it does get a little lonely sometimes. Still, work is steady at her art studio and the island continues to serve as a muse, especially when her first love makes a surprise return.
In the course of a month, the Morgan sisters learn that despite their differences and their personal struggles, they might just have more in common than the old summer cottage that they inherited.
“I don’t think I’ll get married again,” Heather said tightly, and Kim could only stare at her. At thirty-one, her sister was only three years older than she was. She was young and pretty and funny when she was in a happier state. She was an excellent cook and a shark at cards, and she was a wonderful listener, too. In other words, she was a catch.
“You say that now, but in time—”
But Heather was shaking her head. “No. I…I’m not cut out for marriage, I’ve learned.”
Kim swallowed hard, falling silent. What did that even mean, not cut out for marriage? Maybe she wasn’t cut out for marriage—the obligations and sacrifices were already piling up, and she was already struggling to balance her needs with Bran’s, and they were only engaged.
Was she just not cut out for it? Was she unwilling to compromise? Was she incapable of holding up the promises that she’d already made, much less the vows she’d intended to say?
Her stomach felt a little queasy and she set down her coffee. Her diamond ring glittered in the morning sunlight. She felt like it was trying to tell her something.
About the Author
Olivia Miles is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming women’s fiction and small-town contemporary romance. She has frequently been ranked as an Amazon Top 100 author, and her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and USA Today. Treasured by readers across the globe, Olivia’s novels have been translated into German, French, and Hungarian, with editions in Australia and the United Kingdom. After growing up in New England and later living in Montreal, Olivia traded salt water for fresh water, and is most happy reading on the sandy shore of Lake Michigan, or spending time with her husband, daughter, and two lovable dogs.
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the DOPPELGANGER by William Michael Davidson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
David
Anderson is a mild-mannered English professor until he walks into the classroom
one day and discovers the corpse of one of his colleagues. She has been
murdered. With all eyes on him, another woman, this time a former student of
his, is also found murdered. In both cases, the killer has done the same thing:
taken photos of the body and posted them anonymously online. Because of this,
the media has dubbed him the Voyeur Killer. When it happens a third time,
Detective Grimm, the cold and ruthless woman leading the investigation, narrows
her sights on the English professor and begins to close in. Yet David, who has
exhausted himself convincing others that he isn’t guilty, begins to question
his own sanity. Is he the one committing these murders? Has he been doing it
without his own knowledge? Desperate to clear his own name and discover what is
happening, he begins to unravel the secrets of a twisted and depraved mind. The
only question: is it his own?
Praise
for DOPPELGANGER:
"If you
love James Patterson, you will love this!!I am an avid mystery reader. This was
definitely a page turner. I judge a mystery on how quickly I can figure out
"who dunnit". I didn't see the ending coming. If you love James
Patterson, it is reminiscent of his style yet the author definitely has carved
out his own niche. Great Read!!" Amazon Review
"This
story is very compelling and David is a character that cared about, could
relate to in his ordinary-ness. I like to read books like this that keep me
glued to the page, wanting the best for the character but having this niggling
worry he's not all he seems to be. The evil narrator filled me with such dread,
pure evil with hope of redemption, a human horror story." Amazon Review
"Wow.
Honestly, this isn't really my genre. It is just not the type of book that I
generally seek out. But I started reading it, and once I did, I could not put
it down." Amazon Review
Book Trailer:
The spark will ignite.
The fuse will be lit.
It reminds me of what my grandmother said on her deathbed: “It is almost time to strike off.” I can see her emaciated face, her wrinkled grin. The lights in her eyes blow out like two matches, leaving twin threads of smoke.
I stand at the bottom of the campus stairwell and look up as the woman descends. Her heels click like hammers on the concrete steps, and her scarlet skirt flutters about her legs. She is sexy, yes. The kind that doesn’t know it—and that is always the best kind.
She doesn’t see me standing in the shadows, but she will when she turns the corner. And that’s when I will have to put on my mask. Not a literal mask, but the facade I’ve created. The one we all create.
I was only a young boy when I learned this very importantaspect of human nature. It was my mother who told me this in the backyard over a glass of Jack Daniels. She held the glass in her left hand, adorned with its third wedding ring, her cigarette perched in the other hand, and she slurred her words: “I just don’t get you. School called again today and said you were brattier than usual. I don’t see you act that way here. How can you be two different people?”
That was when it started.
At least, I think.
It was like the first time I pulled a dirty mag from under Stepdad Number Three’s side of the bed and saw it for the first time. That same sensual euphoria. The hot arousal.
I can be two people. Split. A doppelganger. A soul in stereo.
My mom didn’t know it was me when I killed the stray cat that wandered into our yard. She didn’t hear it scream when I sliced its throat, when I felt its blood pour over my hands. It was the first of several. Cats sound a lot like children screaming when they die. So much so that I worried the neighbors would call the police because it sounded like I was murdering a child. My mom didn’t know that I was the reason our bird died, too. She didn’t see when I held it underwater in the bathtub with both hands and brought it up minutes later, limp and dripping tepid water.
All of that was in preparation for this.
Because I’ve taken so much—YOU ARE A HORRIBLE—of her—LOSER OF A CHILD—and the world—AND I HOPE YOU DIE—and the wait is over. I will unveil my art in defiance.
Her voice is still in my head, like barbed wire.
I have been two people.
And so when the woman descends the stairs, I will put on my face. The face she likes. The face she knows. But the world will soon see that she is the first bit of fuse that I will light. The first domino that I will knock over.
Because I’ve learned to master this art. I’ve done it for years, so much so that I wonder if the other half of me even knows about this. I have fooled even myself, because when I slip out of this self—like a snake shedding dry scales—I will refuse to admit this to myself.
She sees me and walks toward me.
I see that sexy smile, so I smile back.
She shakes my hand, a courteous hello, and her fingers are strangely cold.
I look into her eyes and grin. She doesn’t know that very soon, like my grandmother, the light in her eyes will flicker out and her hand will feel much colder than this.
Time to strike off.
About William:
William
Michael Davidson lives in Long Beach, California. A believer that "good
living produces good writing," Davidson writes early in the morning so he
can get outside, exercise, spend time with people, and experience as much as
possible. He is a writer of suspense and speculative fiction. If he's not
writing, he's probably at the beach.
