Tuesday, February 1, 2022

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~ Samson by Marteeka Karland


Samson
Marteeka Karland
(Black Reign MC, #6)
Published by: Changeling Press
Publication date: February 11th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Charlotte: When I get into trouble, I go big. There was so much pain and fear, I turned my thoughts inward. To Samson. He’s my knight in shining armor. The one man I’ve ever felt a real connection to. Then he was there, killing those who hurt me and sweeping me up in his embrace of warmth and safety. But now he sees me as a victim. Not a woman. It’s up to me to prove I’m made of sterner stuff.

Samson: I had no intention of having sex with the little spitfire, but one look at Charlotte and I knew she was trouble. Our night was the kind of explosive a man can’t walk away from, but I tried. Right up until her daddy showed up telling me she was missing and the last person she was seen with was one of the prospects from Black Reign. Wrangler, the little asshole, had her squirreled away somewhere and I knew if I didn’t find her soon, I might never see her again.

Saving Charlotte from Wrangler will be a piece of cake — after this his days are numbered. Which leaves me with time. Too much time. Time Charlotte’s dad will have to convince her to leave me and come back home. So, how do I fight off another man determined to take my woman from me when that man is her daddy?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Samson shook his head slightly, breaking eye contact with me. “Where’s your ride?”

I shrugged. “I walk. It’s not far, and I need the exercise.”

“Not a smart idea, you know. Woman alone in the city.”

“It is what it is, I guess,” I said. “I just have better things to spend money on than an Uber or a taxi.”

“Yeah. Don’t take an Uber.” He sighed, turning his head away from me and shaking it slightly several times. It looked like he was having some kind of argument with himself. And losing. “Fuck,” he said with another shake of his head. “Get on,” he said. “I’ll take you home.”

“What’s different about riding with a guy I don’t know on a motorcycle versus riding with a guy I don’t know in an Uber? Seems like the first option is more dangerous than the second.”

“‘Cause this guy you don’t know ain’t out to hurt you. Now get the fuck on.”

Yeah. Probably should argue, but I didn’t want to. I was thrilled! Not only did I get to ride a motorcycle, but I got to do it with quite possibly the sexiest man I’d ever met.

Samson was probably in his late thirties or early forties. He was bald, but had a neatly trimmed beard and intense, silver-blue eyes. He wore a sleeveless black T-shirt that showed off heavily muscled arms I was sure would feel like heaven wrapped around me. As I got on the bike behind him, he grabbed one of my arms by the wrist and pulled it around his body. Yep. His abdomen was as rock hard as those glorious arms were.

“Where’s your home?” I gave him the address, and he nodded once. “Hang on.”

We took off smoothly. Soon, we were cruising down the road the mile and a half to my tiny apartment. Once there, I hadn’t nearly had my fill of groping his hard body. Which was kinda twisted, but I was good with it.

He turned off the bike, putting the kickstand down but making no move to get off. He steadied me as I climbed off the back, careful not to touch the pipes and burn my bare leg.

“Thanks for the lift,” I said, grasping at something to say to prolong my time with him. He hadn’t spoken much, but I wanted to get to know this guy. It was like the intimacy of riding behind him was more telling than an hour-long conversation. While I was sure I’d enjoy the conversation, I found I wanted the physical stimuli more. I knew I was taking an offer of help and turning it into something it wasn’t, but I was sure he felt something for me. Maybe it was my youth he liked, or maybe I was just his type. But this man was interested in me. It was only for sex, but I could see it when he looked at me.

He grunted but said nothing else.

“You want to come up for a cup of coffee?” Did I even have coffee in the apartment? No clue. I might be embarrassed if he said yes.

“No,” he clipped, but he didn’t start his bike. Samson didn’t strike me as the indecisive type.

“A beer, then.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you even old enough to drink beer?”

I shrugged. “I’ll be twenty-one in a couple of months. If I happen to acquire a six-pack a little bit early, what does it matter?”

Again, he grunted.

Then something caught his eye. I wasn’t sure what it was, but his gaze hardened and followed something behind me. I turned and saw a man walking down the sidewalk in front of my building. He wasn’t paying us any attention and kept going, but Samson seemed to have taken his presence as a threat.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll walk you up.”

“I’ll be fine, you know. This is a pretty safe neighborhood. The studio apartment I rent is overpriced, but I figure it’s because the area is pretty secure.”

“You can’t be too careful,” he quipped. “Come on. Besides, maybe I want that beer after all.”

When he took my arm and gently urged me forward, my heart sped up. Was this really happening? God, I hoped so! I wasn’t a virgin, but I knew I’d only scratched the surface of sex and pleasure. Could this guy do it for me? I was sure as shit turned on enough for him to. But would he?

“Know that look, girl,” he said gruffly as we walked up the three flights to my tiny apartment. “You’re too young for what I want.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How do you know until you try?”

“Oh, I know.” He waited until I opened the door, then followed me inside muttering, “I’m so fucked.”

Author Bio:

Romance author by night, emergency room tech/clerk by day, Marteeka Karland works really hard to drive everyone in her life completely and totally nuts. She has been creating stories from her warped imagination since she was in the third grade. Her love of writing blossomed throughout her teenage years until it developed into the totally unorthodox and irreverent style her English teachers tried so hard to rid her of. Now, she breathes life into faeries, space hunters, werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters, and a few just plane ole ordinary people. She loves to see the awkward, self-conscious band geek get the captain of the football team and make him beg for it.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY ~ Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly


Thorn of Secrets tour banner

This is my stop during the bookstagram blitz for Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly. Thorn of Secrets is the second book in the My Darkest Secrets series, a gripping emotional coming of age series.

This bookstagram blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. This bookstagram blitz runs from 1 till 4 February. See the tour schedule here.

Don’t miss the tour wide giveaway! One winner wins a $10 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly. You can enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Thorn of Secrets book cover
Thorn of Secrets (My Darkest Secrets #2)
By B. Truly
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Coming of Age
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 25 January 2022

Blurb:
In love with the same face that haunts me…

The falling leaves of autumn are like the deceit in my family lineage. Closing the door on the infinite cold—winter blossoms into the spring of new beginnings. In the next season of my life, I’m mending the pieces back together. Opening myself up, I even begin to date, which is a big step for me.

After graduating from high school, a shocking development causes me to be on alert. When nothing comes of it, I move forward, wanting desperately to put the past behind me.

About to start college, I bump into someone from my complicated past, and my heart is torn. The dilemma I struggle with: Do I let other people’s opinion define who I am? I must decide if I’ll push through the ridicule and pave my own path. Could the face that’s scorned me be the key to my resolve? I’ll never know if I take the easy way out.

I’ve unlocked my darkest secret only to have it return to torment me. As the thorns of his obsession encompass me, I discover I’m part of a twisted ploy. If I don’t figure a way out of this predicament, then the life I’ve known may cease to exist.

Don’t miss the riveting sequel to Madison’s story that will have you dangling on the edge of your seat.
Links:

Check out the first book in the series:
Scorn of Secrets by B. Truly (My Darkest Secrets #1)

Scorn of Secrets

“I must keep it locked away—the memory of my darkest secret….”

Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon


B Truly author picture
About the Author:
B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old. She is grateful to have accomplished this dream. B. Truly has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of suspense and sci-fi. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, sci-fi, dystopian, and paranormal genres.

B. Truly likes to explore conflicted plots of romance with thrilling twists. She also loves creating impossible situations for her characters to grow from and try to overcome.

B. Truly has three wonderful children, and a husband who defines the person that she is today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Houston, Texas.

Author links:

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the bookstagram blitz for Thorn of Secrets. One winner wins a $10 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly.

You can enter the giveaway here

Or use the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lola's Blog Tours graphic

Monday, January 31, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ ~ Secrets and Lies by L.L. Hunter


Title: Secrets and Lies
Author: L.L. Hunter 
Genre: YA Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Mystery
Cover Designer: Emily Wittig
Publication Date: January 31st, 2022
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

It should have been the perfect escape…

New cities. New beginnings. New love.

The teens leave Summervale behind and start their new lives elsewhere.

Apart from Bobby. He’s still there. He has a new job and a possible new love interest…

They begin planning for the future, and are just starting to relax, when a mysterious blood covered note appears, plunging the teens back into a life of fear, murder and mysteries to solve.

Darcie had hoped to start a new life in California with Dane, write a book on her life and be done with her past. When uncovering the secrets of her father’s legacy only deepens the mystery, she knows she can’t truly leave Summervale in the rearview mirror.

In the thrilling fifth book in the bestselling Summervale series,

it goes to show, you can’t truly escape your past.

It will eventually come back to haunt you.



L.L. Hunter is the author of over 20 published works, including The Legend of the Archangel Series and The Garden of Eden. She has studied everything from veterinary nursing, forensic science, and dramatic arts, but has always known her true calling was to be an author. 

She has been writing since her teens - everything from fan fiction, to song lyrics, to plays and musicals. When not working on her next paranormal romance, she can be found at home in Australia, reading somewhere comfortable with one or both of her “fur babies.” Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @llhunterbooks, and her blog - http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au.

Author Links:





COVER REVEAL ~ The Hate Between Us by Vera Hollins




Title: The Hate Between Us
Author: Vera Hollins
Genre: Enemies to Lovers High School Romance
Cover Design: Rasha Savic
Release Date: March 11, 2022


BLURB

One moment. That’s all it takes for your life to do a one-eighty. One moment to have your dreams shattered and freedom stolen. One moment to forget who you are.

The night Caroline Adams decided to drive drunk and ended up striking me as I stood on the sidewalk was when that moment happened to me. Nothing has been the same since.

In a wheelchair and broken, I’ve started my senior year at Lake Gate High, where I have to deal with the humiliating stares and whispers. Moreover, I have to see him—Jason Adams, Caroline’s brother.

He doesn’t hide the fact that he hates me for being the reason Caroline ended up in juvenile detention, and that he wants me to stay away from him. But that might prove to be impossible when we’re cast as the leads in our school play and that line between us gets blurred.

But I won’t let my old feelings for him resurface.

Not when he’s a jerk.

Not when that moment keeps haunting me and reminding me of the darkness.

The darkness of that night I might never be able to escape from.







PRE-ORDER LINKS

$2.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Only available at the following
retailer for a limited time







AUTHOR BIO

Vera Hollins writes emotional, dark, and angsty love stories that deal with heartbreak, mental and social issues, and finding light in darkness.

She’s been writing since she was nine, and before she knew it, it became her passion and life. She particularly likes coffee, bunnies, angsty romance, and anti-heroes. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, plotting her next book with as many twists as possible, and watching YouTube.


AUTHOR LINKS



BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~ Unmeasured by Alyssa Turner

 

Unmeasured
Alyssa Turner
(Unmatched, #1)
Publication date: March 15, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

SHE’s a good girl, or at least she tries to be. People think Samantha Hunter lives a fairytale life. Only this young, wealthy American in Paris has a secret. If she lets it free, there’s no telling what she’ll do. Being the wild child is one thing. Letting her dark fantasies run wild is quite another. How could she? The better question is…how could she not?

HE wears a suit, but he is not entirely civilized. Oleg Balashov is often hungry for something he’ll probably never find. His closest friends have similar appetites and the private club they own is the perfect place to feed their desires. Oleg is ready to pay an old debt with an arranged marriage, mafia style. Then Samantha appears on a bar stool with just enough curiosity to get her into trouble. She’s in way over her pretty head. Or is it the other way around? The Masters of Club Duval have a new pet and she isn’t so easy to tame. Samantha Hunter is about to rewrite all the rules for these Doms and nothing will ever be the same.

Trigger warning: Oleg owns a whip, and he knows how to use it. After the happily ever after ending, the epilogue of this book will be an introduction to the prologue of book 2, Unleashed.

Goodreads / Amazon

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

—

EXCERPT:

Finally, he spoke. His voice was a raspy and feral version of itself. “Your safeword… Scream it loud. Scream it at the top of your fucking lungs, because I need your screams today for all the wrong fucking reasons.”

He cracked the whip again, and it snapped her shoulder blade with the thinnest of cuts, sounding like a gunshot, feeling like a hornet’s kiss.

“If I hurt you…” he said.

She turned around, and her gaze locked first on his trembling hand and then his tortured eyes. “I will survive you.”

“If you survive me, then you can have me, because truly I belong to no one else.” The whip cracked above her head.

“Turn the fuck around!”

When she did, he snapped a sideways strike across her ass. Her flesh lit with fiery agony. She balled her fists and inhaled deeply, trusting his control over the nine-foot length of braided leather.

Then a loud thud sounded, and a crash followed. She turned around to see Oleg stalking toward her, his whip strewn across the floor next to a broken vase.

Heavy, billowing breaths blew past his lips. He scratched his chin and then rubbed the back of his head. One last swallow, and he steadied himself. The worst of the storm had passed and she’d survived. In fact, she’d more than survived. Samantha had stood in the eye of the storm and remained on her feet.

“Where the hell did you come from?” he demanded, grabbing both of her shoulders, shaking her once, though she was certain he wasn’t concerned with the name of her hometown.

She didn’t flinch. His hold on her was nothing to fear. Then his thumbs swiped at the teardrops on her cheeks before he decided to sip on them instead. She melted right there. “How did you find me?” she asked the same unseen knower of all things.

God, how badly she wanted this man inside of her. She pawed at the chastity belt, angry at it so suddenly. Danger wafted off him in invisible waves, unspoken, ultrasonic, undeniably magnetic. The beautiful, broken monster had revealed himself, raw, untethered, and she devoured his anger, his pain. It had given her peace even as she hungered to know the limits of his pain, to be at the sharp edge of his despair with him. But why? What could be found in dark, bottomless pools that made her want to jump in? She’d been asking herself that question all her life and still didn’t have an answer.

Author Bio:

Alyssa believes that when characters speak to you, you've got to listen. She's been all ears and writing stories in all lengths since childhood. She only wonders where those notebooks of handwritten dramas ended up.

Almost everyone tags her romances as habanero hot, and with her proclivity for the ménage genre, Alyssa is often recognized for weaving complexity and emotional depth into her characters. She has so much fun writing, she can never be relied upon to put the wash into the dryer any time after 10 PM. Luckily, she is married to the most understanding husband in the world.

The Love Has No Regrets collection of novels by Alyssa Turner includes several series with familiar characters threaded into each story. Her LHNR world is ever growing, spanning from Manhattan to Paris, with Polyamorous love that answers only to the heart. Read more about Alyssa Turner and preview her published works on her blog.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~ Between by TJ Amberson


Between
TJ Amberson
Publication date: January 24th 2022
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Lana Hathaway wasn’t supposed to die. But when she suddenly finds herself face-to-face with a handsome guardian angel named Kade, Lana learns she has just drowned in her best friend’s swimming pool. Kade explains that because of her untimely death, Lana has become a Watcher like him—a soul stuck in limbo between Earth and Beyond. However, not wanting Lana to suffer his same fate, Kade breaks eternal rules and releases Lana back to Earth.

Soon, Lana and Kade discover that releasing her back to Earth had profound and unexpected consequences: now Lana is being hunted by those who dwell Below, including an enigmatic soul named Damien. With both their eternal destinies on the line, Lana and Kade must decide if Damien is an enemy or an ally as they race against time to save themselves . . . and if they fail, they will remain Between forever.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

As the sounds of the conversation finished drawing me out of my slumber, I stirred and opened my eyes. I was lying in bed in my room at home. The golden sunlight of late afternoon was streaming in through the window at my right, casting a glow upon three people who stood at the foot of my bed. The people were talking amongst themselves, seeming not to notice that I was watching them.

Ignoring the dull ache in my head, I pushed myself up to a seated position. “Kade?” I mumbled in weary confusion, rubbing my eyes. “Is that you?”

All three of them snapped their heads in my direction. I stared back. I didn’t recognize the other two members of the trio, but the person who stood farthest to the right was definitely Kade, the same hot-guy hallucination I had seen when I drowned the evening prior. As before, Kade wore a gray t-shirt and jeans, and his dark hair was slightly tousled. This time, though, Kade’s brow was furrowed in a way I didn’t like. A sense of apprehension crept over me. Something was wrong—something even more wrong than the fact that I was apparently experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations, that is.

Author Bio:

TJ Amberson hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and nutty cocker spaniel. When she's not writing, TJ might be found pretending to know how to garden, riding her bike, playing the piano, enjoying a hot chocolate, or scouring the Internet for cheap plane tickets. She adores all things cozy, seasonal, and holiday-themed; she cheers for happily-ever-afters; and she believes there's no such thing as too much seasonal decor. With a love of multiple genres, TJ writes sweet romance and romantic comedies for adults and advanced teen readers, and clean fantasy adventures for teen and advanced tween readers.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

Thursday, January 27, 2022

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY ~ THE THIEF'S RELIC by Angela Knotts Morse



On Tour with Prism Book Tours


The Thief's Relic
(Son of Avaria #1)
By Angela Knotts Morse
Young Adult, Fantasy
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 394 Pages
December 4, 2021 by An Encouraging Thought Publishers

Eamonn never wanted to be a thief. 
 
So when a risky mission goes awry and he receives the chance of a lifetime, he leaves behind everything, even his newfound family in the Thieves’ Guild, to pursue an apprenticeship as an honest merchant. 
 
Traveling the country means he sees and hears everything. Civil unrest, rebellions against the monarchies, and rumors of a usurper bent on uniting the provinces under himself with a mythical form of magic. Few suspect he’s not chasing a dead end, including village girl Leyna, a believer in the magic of ancient histories. Eamonn’s skeptical heart is also swayed once he finds himself the tyrant’s target, unknowingly possessing the key to harness the dangerous power. 
 
To protect it, Eamonn's only choice is to flee. But now that it’s the mission of his former brothers in the Guild to hunt him down, keeping magic out of their hands might be harder than either Leyna or Eamonn thought possible. If they fall, though, their world does too.

(Affiliate links included.)


She strode down the lane and up the slope to the house, finding the door to the barn flung open and noises coming from within. Dorylss must have been making his last preparations for the journey. 

Leyna advanced toward the barn, her footfalls silent. At least, she thought they were silent.

“You’re earlier than I expected,” Dorylss said from inside the barn. 

Leyna stopped at the open door and leaned against the doorframe, a corner of her mouth turning up. “I wanted to make sure you didn’t leave without me.”

Dorylss came out of a stall, leading Bardan out into the stable before guiding Eamonn’s horse Rovis out of his stall as well, saddled and ready to go.

“You saddled Rovis for me?”

“Well, there’s no one here to look after him if I’m going to be gone, so…” his voice trailed off and he caught Leyna’s eyes in the dim light. “I knew either you would come with me, where I can keep an eye on you, or you would try to go about in your own way and land in a mess of trouble.” He came toward her with reins in each hand. “So I chose the former.”

Leyna bit her lip to try to suppress the smile she felt tugging at her cheeks. It seemed Dorylss knew her pretty well, after all.


About the Author


Angela Morse has been writing since the fourth grade when a teacher wrote an encouraging note on one of her assignments. The note read, “I would not be surprised if I go to the library one day and pick up a book by Angela Knotts!” That simple note lit a fire within Angela and she developed a passion for writing stories. Though she has dabbled in a few genres, Angela’s favorite to write is Fantasy. Her audience is typically New Adult (NA) or sometimes Young Adult (YA), depending on the age and maturity of her characters and intended readers. Angela currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and cat.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a signed paperback copy of The Thief's Relic by Angela Knotts Morse (US only)

Ends February 2, 2022

 
Grab Our Button!

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY ~ Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage by Susan McCauley



Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage

by Susan McCauley

Genre: Epic Middle Grade Arthurian Fantasy

Twelve-year-old Pip must embrace his magical powers to rescue his family from slavery—or help the king save the realm—a decision that will tear his world apart.

Desperate to keep his family together, Pip hides his power so he can be sold with them. But when his father and brother are sold to different mages and the slavers attempt to separate his mother and sister, Pip loses control and injures a slaver with magic. The uproar catches the attention of the southern king’s druid advisor, Merlin, who quickly offers a place to Pip, his sister, and his mother. On the road to King Arthur’s court, bandits attack their camp, and his family is further torn apart. Pip has no choice but to work with Merlin—who may not be the evil mage Pip assumes him to be—to learn to harness his powers so he can help King Arthur stop Mordred. Only then might Pip have a chance to see his family together again.

Goodreads * Amazon



Rain slapped Pip’s face and slithered beneath his tunic, running cold down his back and into his britches. These weren’t the usual autumn mists, but bone-chilling rain. Mud churned beneath his feet, sticking in clumps to his tattered, tired boots. They shouldn’t be out trudging the roads today. They shouldn’t be out at all. No one should. But today they didn’t have a choice. Today all the villagers had to attend a summons. 

No one knew what this summons would be about. The magistrate had already issued a proclamation setting a new harvest quota for the ordinarius, and if it wasn’t met, King Mordred would take more than just taxes. He would take flesh. 

So they’d all had to help. Even his little sister, Mary, had worked her tiny fingers raw pulling turnips in the garden. If only they lived south—in King Arthur’s realm—then surely their lives would be easier. King Arthur was supposed to be a fair king. Pip sighed and trudged along behind his parents. Mother and Da had said maybe the taxes would increase, or maybe the rations would decrease. Pip knew that whatever the magistrate had to say, it wouldn’t be good. He was a pig who only cared for himself.

The rain dulled to a heavy mist, and a group of ravens flew and twisted in the sky, their wings nearly blacking out the pale winter sun. One dove toward Pip, its caw shattering the cool morning silence and filling Pip’s belly with dread. He stopped and stared, watching the flock disappear into a smear of darkness. 

“Pip. Hurry up, lad! Stop your daydreaming,” his father bellowed. “We can’t be late for a summons.” 

A shiver of power tingled over Pip’s skin as he watched the last of the ravens disappear into the morning mist and then ran to catch up with Da and the rest of his family. 

“Did you see the ravens, Da?” Pip whispered so his little sister Mary couldn’t hear. 

Da stopped and looked at the sky. He crossed himself and shook his head, his brow furrowed with worry. “I didn’t see any. And I pray to God there were no ravens, lad. There’s too much darkness about already.” 

Pip’s stomach twisted in knots. Da hadn’t seen any ravens, only Pip had. Maybe it was another vision. They’d only come since he’d discovered he was magus, and he still wasn’t used to having visions. Real or imagined, though, surely ravens were an omen of things to come. But the magus wouldn’t possibly take more from the ordinarius families. They’d taken enough already.

“When I’m a mage,” Pip swore to his sister, “I’ll make sure every ordinarius and magus is treated fairly. Then none of us will need to worry about village summons or selfish magistrates.” 

“Shhhst,” Mother hissed, eyes like whips, head twisting from side to side to see if anyone had overheard. 

Da grimaced, and Galen glared. Galen. Pip scowled; his older brother always sided with their mother. Pip had never been close to Galen. His brother was old enough to work the fields when Pip was born, and they’d never spent much time together. The only time Galen ever spoke to Pip was to criticize him on his handling of a chore or to try to stop him from using magic. No wonder he was Mother’s favorite.

Pip gazed at the barren field around them. The closest villagers were several paces away. “There’s no one close enough to hear us,” he protested.

“I said not to speak of it.” Mother’s words were clipped, her eyes colder than the morning rain.

Pip held his breath and then let it out slowly instead of speaking his mind. He was glad to be a magus, even if he was new to his power, which had come after his twelfth birthday, just passed. But his family had told no one. Not yet. Mother had been especially strict that no one should speak of it. No one should know. Maybe it was because he’d only discovered his power. Maybe it was because no one else in his family had any magic. Mother was just being suspicious when she should be proud.

Pip wrapped his arm around his little sister and whispered. “When I’m apprenticed to become a mage, I’ll be sure to learn more than a few tricks to keep you safe and happy.” He tweaked her nose and she giggled. 

They made their way along the muddy lane to their village, which lay south of the hill fortress at Etin, a two days’ march north of Hadrian’s Wall. Both magi-soldiers and battle mages sometimes skirted their village, yet they never stayed. It was a poor place, but the local mage lord who oversaw the ordinarius farms was kind enough. It was Mordred’s edicts that were harsh, forcing ordinarius families to cut back on their own rations to provide more to his court and the magus class ruled by the cruel northern king. And all because ordinarius had no magic. Because they were not magus. It was so unfair. At least there were more ordinarius than magus in the world; otherwise, there would be no end to the work they did for the magus class.  

When they arrived at the small muddy square that marked the village center—usually decorated for festivals or alive with peddlers selling their wood or tin or cloth—it was empty of festivities. Armed magi-soldiers dressed in black and blood red, Mordred’s colors, lingered at the perimeter. Their swords gleamed in the pale morning light and their wary eyes darted from face to face. 

Mordred’s soldiers were here. Fear shot through Pip’s veins. He peered around the square taking in the magi-soldiers’ armor, embossed with silver runes. Da had long ago taught him and Galen to identify the magi symbols to stay clear of trouble. He saw none of the plain clothed magi with their green sashes, nor any magi marked with the golden runes or red sashes of a battle mage. Still, they’d never had soldiers here for a proclamation before. Something was different. Something was wrong.




Susan McCauley is an award winning author of paranormal, fantasy, and horror for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. She first fell in love with the paranormal when she was three years old and scared witless on Disney's Haunted Mansion ride, but begged her parents to ride again and again! Susan has lived on all three coasts of the United States, as well as having spent a few years in the U.K. She loves to travel, snorkel, practice taekwondo, read, try new restaurants, watch movies, and go to the theatre. She’s also passionate about animals and has a special place in her heart for cats.

You can visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon

Jan 25

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
@reeree.reads 
Write. Read. Live. 
bookblogarama  
Canadian Book Addict 
Reading Stewardess  
nanasbookreviews 
Lady Hawkeye  
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog 
4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ 
❧Defining Ways❧ 
ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ 
eBook Addicts    
Literary Gold 
Sapphyria's Book Reviews 
Jazzy Book Reviews  
Reading Authors Network 
Character Madness and Musings 
BookZone Reviews 
Westveil Publishing    
Books a Plenty Book Reviews 
Books all things paranormal and romance 
Girl with Pen 
Inside the Insanity 
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read   
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'     
Sylv.net   
Teatime and Books   
A Pinch of Bookdust 
Bedazzled By Books 
Craving Lovely Books   
Insane Books

a Rafflecopter giveaway