Tag Archives: Fantasy Books

When Hope and Treachery Collide – A Glimpse into Celts and the Gladiator by P.C Darkcliff

19 Saturday Jun 2021

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Life is short and cheap in Nero’s arenas. A single stab might cause the death of humanity.  

Rome, 54 AD: In a dazzling twist of fate, Rawena becomes a gladiator, vanquishes an impossible opponent, and infuriates the emperor. Cursed to start a plague when steel pierces her heart, the Celtic woman fears that Nero’s wrath will force her to trigger a catastrophe.

As she fights against her destiny, arrogance, treacheries, and intrusions from magical realms hamper her at every turn.

Then a fellow gladiator, a young, love-struck Briton, promises the unimaginable. His oath and devotion fill Rawena with hope for the future.

But nothing will be clear until the ultimate combat.


A multi-award-winning author, P.C. has always had a vivid imagination.

When he was in kindergarten, he convinced his classmates that his grandma was a tribal shamaness. Then he learned his letters, and kidding his friends no longer seemed adequate—so he started writing fantasy.

P.C. has published two standalone novels and a series. His latest project, Celts and the Mad Goddess, is the first installment of The Deathless Chronicle. The sequel, Celts and the Gladiator, is coming out this summer.

His stories have been featured in various publications, and ‘A Poisoned Gift’ received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. He is Spillwords Author of the Year 2020.

CELTS AND THE GLADIATOR by P.C. DARKCLIFF
CHAPTER ONE – A FREE Snippet ……
As she paraded in front of the vicious crowd, Rawena wondered who of her
‘family’ would try to kill her today.
The spectators filled the amphitheater to the awnings, ready to see her fight.
Nobles, consuls, and priests sat in the first two rows, wrapped in togas against the cool
February air. Behind them, plebeians shouted and placed bets while they watched
Rawena and her familia—the fighters from her gladiatorial school—tread the sand of
the arena. Slaves stood in the back, chatting and enjoying their freedom until the end of
the games when they would carry their masters back home in litters.
Since her enslavement six months ago, Rawena had fought with blunted swords
and pointless spears in a practice arena near the amphitheater. Although she had often
won, bruises covered her body like a mosaic. Today would be her first combat with
sharp, deadly weapons.
None of her familia were aware that a curse hung above her, protecting her from
their weapons and exposing them to deadly peril. She could only be killed by fire or
beheading. If her heart was pierced, though, it wouldn’t be Rawena but everyone around
her who would face death.
Trumpets pealed and cymbals clashed as a horde of guards led the gladiators
past the orchestra and to a projecting podium reserved for the emperor, the senators, and
the veiled Vestal Virgins. A breastwork surrounded the podium to protect the emperor
from wild beasts—although most Romans thought the emperor was the wildest beast of
all.
Nero reclined on a couch inlaid with mother-of-pearl. He wore a purple tunic
and a cloak embroidered with gold. Although he was only twenty-six, he had been
emperor for ten years, and he looked much older. Rawena found him ugly, with a fleshy
neck that connected his spotty face to his narrow shoulders, and with weak, thin legs
that contrasted with his prominent belly.
At the guards’ order, the gladiators knelt in the sand. There were a hundred of
them, all barbarians, and mostly men. Rawena was one of five gladiatrices, or female
gladiators. They all wore breastplates over their tunics, but they wouldn’t get weapons
until the combat.
“Hail Caesar!” they said in unison, as they had practiced before every training
session. “I vow to endure to be burned, to be bound, to be beaten, and to be killed by the
sword.”
Scared of fire, Rawena winced as she murmured the word burned.
Nero yawned and popped a plump date into his mouth. Then he waved his thin
hand, and the gladiators stood. The guards marched them to a large waiting chamber
that had long benches and tables with cups of water and heads of garlic.
Rawena took a few sips from a wooden cup, but she was too tense to sit. So were
most of the others. They fidgeted and looked around as if they tried to guess who had
been chosen to fight against them. According to the veterans, nearly a quarter of the
gladiators lost their lives during each games. Rawena feared that a spear or a sword
would make her an immortal cripple…

Join P.C.’s VIP reader club to get his debut novels for free

Find him everywhere in one click

CELTS AND THE GLADIATOR is available for preorder for just $99! Click here to grab your copy!

The prequel, CELTS AND THE MAD GODDESS, is discounted on Amazon

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~Morgan~

When #Life, #Death, #Mortality and Forever Tangle – #Heavensgate – A #5Star #DarkFantasy Series

09 Wednesday Jun 2021

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Every living creature’s experience of reality is unique; therefore, life and death can be imagined in an infinite number of ways. In Heavensgate there is no line between life and death and no veil between the immortal and mortal. However, not every character realises this essential fact of their existence and those that do are quick to take advantage.

Heavensgate: Faith (Book Three)

Where the line between life and death is erased.

In the presence of Seraphim sent to despatch her violent husband’s spirit, Faith delivers a daughter – Mercy – whose miraculous birth triggers an ancient prophecy, forcing Heavensgate’s inhabitants to seek sanctuary in the high sierra.

The newborn is snatched on Lucifer’s orders, transforming the happy widow into a vengeful mother with immortal powers. Abandoned by the Creator, Faith threatens to destroy belief in both Heaven and Hell unless her lost child is returned.

The desperate search for Mercy, and the battle between good and evil, love and hate, threatens the lives of many creating conflict between the immortal sisterhood, Hope, Joy and Faith.

Only Jake’s redemption can save them… but first, he has to save himself

My 5 Star Review:

If you haven’t partaken of either book one or two, Heavensgate book three: Faith will probably leave you as muddled as its main character(s) Jacob/Jake. He’s one man, but two distinct people. One ‘good’, one, well…not so good. I wont say evil, because honestly, I like Jake. What am I saying, I love Jake! He’s the perfect, imperfect bad-boy that you love to hate, hate to love, love to love. Now, this review isn’t going to give you a bunch of spoilers because like any reviewer worth their salt, I want you to pick up these books. Talk about hidden gems! If you enjoy a great brain-twister, a hint of sex, lust, horror, romance, and good ol’ fashion ‘What-in-the-name-of-Harry-Potter’ is going on here, then you’ll find this little-known series as tantalizing as I have.

Book Three, Faith, dives right in…so don’t cheat yourself….read Hope and Joy first!!! Faith opens with a few beautiful verses about love, motherhood, and the blessing of birth- then plummets you into the tortured, vengeful mind of Jake. He’s the powerful, virile lead and alter-ego of main character Jacob. Like most split personalities, they were traumatized when they were young and have grown into two VERY different people, each aware of the other and strong enough to drive the story forward in ways that entangle the reader into their chaos and confusion.

This story delves into that confusion and chaos, spiraling everyone into a unique and entirely unforeseen variant of the traditional Good vs Evil fable. Characters find themselves on the brink of eternal damnation as well as the bliss of sweet rapture while taking readers on a demented, wild ride that will leave you breathless….for more than a few reasons!

Now, don’t be fooled. This story is about far more than a love-struck, sex-addicted man with delusions of demonhood and immortal goddesses led astray by the aforementioned rogue. Author Kane cunningly weaves the abstracts of morality and virtue into this relentless, head-spinning parable by ingeniously personifying those concepts into relatable characters readers will understand and connect with, find entirely confusing and incomprehensible, out-and-out hate, passionately adore, and, ultimately, never-ever forget!

WANT MORE?  Read on!

Jake – An Insight by Author Leo Kane

The immortal sisterhood of Hope, Joy and Faith become entangled with the key protagonist, Jake, an inimitable personality of Jacob Andersen, a shattered soul suffering from multiple identity disorder who is unable to ground himself in a single reality. Jake’s strength births a charismatic, highly sexual, psychopath who, perversely, serves evil whilst seeking redemption for both real and imagined sins whilst wreaking havoc in the lives of everyone whose path he crosses.

My beloved readers often say that crazy Jake is their favourite character. Who doesn’t love and hate a bad boy in equal measure? However, I am especially fond of the Angel Gabriel – Gabi to his friends. The androgynous, ditsy, dramatic, deceptively dangerous Gabi is a wonderful being who cannot seem to decide whether to smite Jake or kiss him. Gabi and his companion Ruby, the Angel of Redemption, are bright and fearsome Seraphim with the sharpest tongues in Creation.

Books are allegedly created by writers and my name is certainly on the covers. However, Jake often seizes the pen or wakes me in the small wee hours to bully me into writing scenes I never planned. All the sex scenes are his idea. I am too shy to contemplate putting such filth on a virgin page, therefore, I cannot say that any such scene is a favourite, they are all shameful.

Jake lives amongst angels, demons, ghosts, humans, a sweet and unappreciated husky and some downright weird characters. However, he holds special places in his dark heart for the immortal sisterhood of Hope – he hates her; Joy – he adores her and Faith who… Well, I think it’s best you find out for yourselves what he does to her because, quite frankly, I am shocked.

By the way:   If you are in any way offended by Jake’s irreverent shenanigans please remember that the Creator loves a good joke.

Heavensgate: Hope  by Leo Kane

When Jacob is a child, a mysterious girl comforts him at the funeral of the family he accidentally killed.

Years later, grieving for his lost wife and son, Jacob is at Heavensgate. He strongly believes that the dead should stay dead, but sees things other people don’t see.

Even worse, Jacob is besieged by his alter ego: the taunting, foul-mouthed, sex-crazed and dangerous Jake. A personality with a twisted sense of fun and no conscience.

Jacob battles for his sanity and soul, surrounded by supernatural enemies and allies, as he struggles to free the Keeper of the Forbidden Book and ignore the menacing pink Cadillac that drives by his lakeside lodge every night.

Wherever Jacob goes, people die, and the cops are moving in when a terrifying and seductive presence arrives on the frozen lake.

Now, Jacob will discover that even hope has a dark side.

My 5 Star Review of HeavensGate: Hope

I began reading this book with an advantage.  I had recently hosted a Character Interaction between Jacob and Jake on my blog, so I had some idea what to expect; however, as the story began to unfold, its complexities and multi-faceted layers wove a web of intrigue in my mind I could not ignore.  In fact, I could barely put the book down (though I had to) and I found myself more and more curious about the main character…or main characters, perhaps.

The authors approach is both mesmerizing and, like any hypnotist worth his/her salt, equally confusing.  Many times I had to stop and re-read, searching for the meaning behind the meaning; seeking truth where there, perhaps, wasn’t any to find.  I felt the turmoil of the characters and was drawn into their psychosis with frightening clarity.

Hope is a tale not only of Hope, but of trauma and darkness and the slippery slopes of the human psyche.  It kept me thoroughly beguiled and Im looking forward to book two of the series.

My 5 Star Review of Heavensgate: Joy

A Tumultuous tale about tortured souls.

I shall begin by saying that this is definitely not a standalone:  If you haven’t read Heavensgate Hope and think you can jump into the story in this second book, your thoughts will end up more twisted than the main characters.  Yet having stated that, I will also say that Leo Kane has written a masterful sequel to her initial story, filling page after riveting page with confusion, disarray, and enough steam to power a locomotive from the character you love to hate and hate to love: Jake.

As the story delves deeper into the incursions and capitulations of the main character, Jacob, and draws in the new, haunting character of Joy, you are lead down an increasingly twisted avenue into the darkness, connecting you in an extremely powerful way to the tortured soul(s) about which Leo write.  You begin to THINK you understand; then the carpet is pulled out from beneath you, leaving you re-reading frantically trying to figure out just what you missed.  But the truth is, you didn’t miss anything and that is the Brilliance of the author’s writing which allows you to experience the inescapable chaos of the main character(s).

I found myself emotionally and mentally drained after reading this second installment, yet thirsty for more!  Bring on Book Three, Leo…I’m ready….I think.

You can connect with Leo Kane at:

HGleokane@hotmail.com

Twitter

Facebook 

Heavensgate Website 

Amazon Author Page

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You can read more about the characters of Heavensgate through a recent Character Interaction I hosted between Jacob and Jake. 

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~Morgan~

#Celts and the Mad Goddess: A #Spellbinding #Fantasy Thrill Ride Through Time.

27 Sunday Sep 2020

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Do you enjoy Fantasy, Celtic culture, Goddesses and Magic?  P.C. Darkcliff’s fantastic Historical Fiction is Sleeping Beauty and Faust all rolled up into one!

A young Celtic woman called RAWENA runs into an army of Germanic invaders. The soldiers pursue her, but she shakes them off and hides in a vast swamp. There she awakens the Goddess PANDEMIA, who has been sleeping for millennia. The meeting shocks Rawena, but Pandemia also wonders: she thought she wiped all humans out with pestilence.

Pandemia plots to destroy humanity to preserve other animal species. She wants Rawena to infect her tribe and spread the plague around the world. When Rawena begs her to spare her, Pandemia gives in… but she orders Rawena to bring another human to the swamp.

Rawena seeks GARUX, a tribesman she loves, hoping that he would catch a Germanic scout and bring him to Pandemia. That’s when she realizes that Garux loves her younger sister ARVASIA.

Mad with jealousy, Rawena kidnaps Arvasia and drags her toward the swamp. When Garux attacks her in the woods, Rawena stabs herself through the heart.

The Celts bury her, but Pandemia brings her back to life and makes her immortal. She turns Rawena into a pawn in a mad game: Rawena must unleash pestilence whenever somebody stabs her through the heart. If she doesn’t, Pandemia would turn her into an eternal rat and trap her in the swamp. The same fate would await Rawena if she let someone behead her or burn her to ashes.

Fearing that the Celts would burn her as an evil spirit, Rawena seduces ORTAVER, the Germans’ high commander, and asks him for protection.

The Germans overtake the Celtic town. They imprison Garux, who has recently become the chieftain, and enslave the tribe.

Four years later, just as the Celts start a revolt, Rawena dresses as a Germanic jailer to free Garux—and Arvasia sneaks into the prison and spears her heart. As a battle breaks out, Rawena crawls into safety. Pandemia mends her and gives her a month to unleash the plague.

Garux and Arvasia look for her all over Bohemia but cannot find her. The king refuses to help them; their druidess fails to reclaim Rawena’s soul. And the Germans plot revenge.

Pandemia tells Rawena that Ortaver and the remnants of his army have settled in an abandoned Celtic village. Rawena joins them there and infects Ortaver with her pestilential blood. Just before he dies, Ortaver spreads the plague among his men.

The Celts corral the Germans and contain the outbreak, but Arvasia falls gravely ill. Although she fears it’s the plague, it’s only morning sickness. Garux and Arvasia rejoice about the pregnancy. Then Arvasia miscarries.

They corner Rawena and are about to behead her to prevent her from causing another outbreak, but Pandemia rushes to save her. Before she takes Rawena away, Pandemia tells Garux and Arvasia that their baby died of the plague. And that she made them immortal to witness Rawena’s work of doom.

Garux and Arvasia swear they will not rest until they destroy Rawena and defy Pandemia. 

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BIO

When he was in kindergarten, P.C. managed to convince his classmates that his grandma was a tribal shamaness. Then he learned his letters, and kidding his friends no longer seemed adequate—so he started to write.

Apart from Celts and the Mad Goddess, P.C. has published two standalone novels and an anthology. His short stories have been featured in various publications.

He has lived in six countries and on three continents. Although ruinous to his bank account, the seminomadic lifestyle has been hugely inspirational, and many of his adventures have spilled into his stories. He and his wife have settled in southern Spain, where he goes swimming and cycling whenever he isn’t too busy writing.

Join his VIP reader list to get his debut novels for free!

Find him everywhere on social media in one click

Website

PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon  OR  Other ebook retailers
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I would like to thank P.C. Darkcliff for sharing his amazing story with BnV and WMM.  (Word Mongery and Musings!)  It’s always a delight to share new books by new authors : )
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~Morgan~

Jaspar the Amazon Parrot – An #Interview with a #YABook #ChildrensBook #Writer

26 Saturday Sep 2020

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Jasper is no ordinary parrot.

He lives in the rainforest, which secrets he’s eager to explore. Jasper loves his home and his family, and he’s also in charge of his younger brother Willie – a responsibility Jasper takes very seriously.

When he meets Charlie – a spider monkey with a penchant for food and a laid back attitude – he realizes he’s in for an adventure he never thought possible.   Even if this means getting into danger and worrying his mother to no end.

Exploring the boundaries of the forest, Jasper understands that there is more to the world around him. Who are the strange new creatures that have come there? With Willie and Charlie by his side, he will soon find out.

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Sharon C. Williams is a native of New England and was raised in Northern Maine. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son and a flock of birds.

Sharon has a B. S. degree in Chemistry. Plus, an A.S. degree in Biology and in Math. She loves to read, sketch, take pictures, walk, exercise, go to the movies, and listen to music. She is a budding bird watcher, and knits on the side. She is a huge sports fan of baseball, basketball, hockey, and football. She is also a shutterbug and is always looking for the next big shot.

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Hi Sharon…let’s dive right in, shall we?  Tell us what do you love most about Writing? I love the freedom it gives me. You can write about anything you want. All one has to do is look around, feel or do a picture or word prompt. Literally all I have to do is be observant. Making things up out of thin air is magical. I guess it is hard to explain the love I have inside when I write. Perhaps only other writers might get it. It’s pure joy. It’s just hard to explain but yes, pure joy.

I entirely understand!  How did you get your start writing?  My husband had told a friend of mine earlier that he felt I wrote well. Upon her telling me this I thought to myself, “Why not?” I started seriously writing in the Fall of 2009. I had a story in my head that would not let me rest. Having two surgeries at the end of 2009, non-related, gave me a lot of free time to put to paper the story.

What Inspired you to write your book? I started with the idea of writing a book for any future grandchildren I might have. Thinking on  what kind of story to even begin with I literally looked around my house. I was hoping for something to hit me in the face.

Laying my eyes on him it hit me. Jasper. You see I live with my main character. How many people can say that? He is our Amazon Yellow Cheek parrot who we rescued and adopted in 1999 at the age of five.  Knowing I could use my knowledge of birds it just meshed together for me to connect the dots.  Learning about where he is from, the Amazon rainforest, made me want to write about the issues there. Plus, I wanted to engage kids in entertainment and also educate them at the same time.

Pets are such a blessing…and in this case, not only to you! Thats awesome.  So, when you’re writing, are you a painstaking plotter or are you a discovery writer? I’m a discovery writer. I love letting my characters decide where my manuscript goes. I also don’t want to take the time to plot. I feel, as far as I am concern, that it restricts my creativity. I love to free style. Majority of my books have arrived from me free styling.

Although it’s often hard to select just one, do you have a favourite or least favourite character?   You’re right, it is hard. But I would go with my main character, Jasper.  This is do to the close connection and interactions I have with him. We rescued and adopted him in 1999 at the age of five. He has been with us for 20 years now.  He is truly a special animal. His personality and his mannerisms are all over this series. So you see I was already in love with him prior to writing the book.

Ok, that was kind of a gimmie.  How about tips for aspiring writers…what would you best advice be? Believe in yourself and your book. Sometimes you might be the only one who does.

I say that too, but it’s so true.  If you don’t love your book, who else will?  Besides your own, what types of books do you like to read and does this differ from the genre that you prefer to write? I grew up loving horror and mystery. That has not changed. I always been someone who love watching horror films and that just translate to books. Being from Maine I am fortunate to have the great one, Stephen King, in my mist. The genre I prefer to write in is a hard one to answer. I write in a variety of genres and they all excite me- children’s, (I’m known for this one), true life, comedy and action and adventure.

As a writer, but also a reader, is there a book you consider a must-read- and if so, why?   Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. In fact anything by him will help you in some way. I had never heard of writing a book in the way he breaks it down in such an effective form. I just about highlighted the entire book and earmarked the rest. His methods are simple but just so effective.

OK, here’s the hard one…at least, I think so…what is the hardest part of editing- grammar checks, reducing content, or something else? For me it would be grammar checks. I am too good at using past tense and the misuse of commas in my WIPs. But the real hard part is I hate to edit. I rather be writing away coming up with characters, plots and conflict than to take time and work on edits.    I am not one of those authors who edit as I write. I rather just write. So when it comes to this part of the puzzle I am filled with dread.

And just because ….Do you have a Mantra- a Quote you try to live by?  Love your book like no other. If you don’t love it why will anyone else?

I’d like to thank Sharon for sharing her stories about Jaspar with us.  The series sounds perfect for YA readers…or anyone who wants a smile of a read 🙂  

Please look for Sharon’s books on Amazon

Sharon’s Author Page

Goodreads

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~Morgan~

#Review My Books #FreeBook #Giveaway

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Dark Fey, The Mercy Series

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I confess, this is a blatant, no holds barred Invitation to Readers/Reviewers who find themselves interested in my books to provide a review in return for a FREE Ebook.   BooknVolume now has a new dedicated page (At the top of the homepage) to REVIEW MY BOOKS that I am sharing with all of you today.  Thank You for your Kind Support, For Any Shares/Reblogs you choose to Offer, and, if nothing else, for humouring me 🙂

……

This page is information about Dark Fey and The Mercy Series for those who may be interested in providing a review of my books.  A FREE Ebook is available in return for an honest review.  My only proviso being, please post your review on your Amazon marketplace, Goodreads and your blog or website.

After looking through the provided information, if you find yourself interested, please contact me via the contact info at the end of this page.

Additional Links for Information about my books:
Cynthia A. Morgan Author Website

Creativia Author Page

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Ayla was discovered at a very young age to have an especially rare combination of gifts: empathic telepathy, discernment, and the gift of healing. She was dedicated by her parents to become a Guardian of Childfey and spent her young years in the seclusion of the Temple where she studied magic and the ancient rites; where she was taught about the mortal enemy of all Fey of the Light, The Reviled; and where she attempted to learn how to protect herself from the emotions and thoughts of others, although never successfully.

Gairynzvl is a Fey of the Light who was abducted by The Reviled at the age of seven and suffered the intentionally cruel process of neglect, abuse and deprivation is designed to turn childfey from the Light and twist them into monsters. Now fifteen years later, he is a Dark One. He comes in shadows and silence; lingering near Ayla and trying to communicate with her. After many months and while she is alone guarding a childfey, Gairynzvl crosses into her home, but he is also unlike anything she ever imagined a Dark One could be. Rather than opening a portal for his Legion so they may enter and take what they want; he commits an act of treason against his own kind and closes it; protecting her as well as the youngling in her care from their cruelty, but what he wants from her is just as terrifying and equally as dangerous as a full Legion of Reviled. Through her extraordinary gifts she listens to him when no others will; she touches his pain and discovers she cannot turn aside from helping him, but the conflict that unfolds is vicious and exceedingly costly, pushing them to their limits and forcing them to grow beyond them.

Dark Fey The Reviled is an epic fantasy filled with suspense, mystery, action, magic and romance. It shares the inspiration of positive hope; the resilience of love, and the power of forgiveness through a tale that is rich with beauty and horror alike.

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Gairynzvl risked everything to escape his captivity in the darkness, including committing an act of treason against the Reviled. Yet, in spite of the dangers involved and the very great risk of sparking full-scale war with the Reviled, Gairynzvl has an irrepressible need to go back into the darkness to rescue as many of the childfey trapped there as he can find. The success of his plan will hinge upon more than courage and military strategy; it will call upon the unique skills and magic of each individual who chooses to join his band of Liberators, and it will require a level of dependence upon each other for which few of them are prepared.  Their actions will test all of their limits, could easily divide loyalties, and will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years.

Slipping into the darkness through darkness is easy.  Escaping out again with terrified childfey is another matter, but if they are captured by the Reviled, the band of Liberators will pray for death long before it comes.  The risks are enormous and the possibility for success is doubtful, but the compulsion to do what is right and what is necessary is too great to ignore.

Inspired in part by the true-life events of the Lord’s Resistance Army or LRA, a rebel militant group in Uganda that commonly abducts children and forces them to commit horrifying acts of violence against each other and their own people in combat, Standing in Shadows reaches deeper into the darkness, but never strays entirely out of the Light.  Relating a tale of both fear and hope, the story allows readers to share Gairynzvl’s journey into a restored life; his challenges in making new friends and forging alliances, and the struggle to trust, rather than fear, those around him.

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Breaking into the Light relates the inspiration of Hope and the power of forgiveness through a tale that is brutally beautiful.

The Reviled are the enemy; merciless, untrustworthy.  They embody brutality and devastation.  The Fey of the Light have lived with these truths for millennia.  Daring to think otherwise invites tragedy.

Gairynzvl was a Reviled Fey and lived the riotous life of all Dark Ones; yet now he is rescuing younglings from the darkness.  The actions taken by him and his band of Liberators are fulfilling Ancient Prophecies and proving long-accepted beliefs to be inaccurate. Those who have lived in the Light all their lives, who enjoyed the luxuries of abundance, are suddenly faced with unavoidable questions.

How is Peace achieved?  Can Light unite with Darkness?

Will the Fey of the Light sacrifice everything to achieve that which seems impossible or will they turn their heads and ignore the shadows weeping all around them?

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It’s the year 2446, and the first three Horsemen of Revelation’s Apocalypse have ridden.
Pestilence, War and Famine have changed the world into a dictatorship ruled with an iron fist. Commoners have few rights, and liberty is a distant memory.
Before the final Horseman is released, the Archangel of Mercy – Tzadkiel – makes a bold plea, asking for permission to find even one human who remembers the meaning of mercy and compassion. He is given 100 years, until Death will sweep across the land.
Taking human form and coming to Earth, he finds a place ruled by greed, hatred and fear. With time running out and Death growing impatient, can Tzadkiel find what he’s looking for… and how much will he need to sacrifice?

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It’s the year 2446, and the final horseman of apocalypse – Death – is preparing to ride.

The Archangel of Mercy, Tzadkiel, has come to Earth and found the last merciful person among the callous human throng. Together, Tzadkiel and Lourdes escape to the French countryside, but are relentlessly tracked by a sadistic officer determined to control the Archangel and claim Lourdes for himself.

Forced to make choices neither ever anticipated, they discover more than simply how to survive. Yet while love blossoms, Death grows impatient. Unable to ride until released by the Archangel, he unleashes a calamity that will push them to their very limits. To succeed they will need more than hope and love.

They will need a place of mercy.

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Review Request 

If you find yourself interested in reviewing my books, please complete the following and I’ll reach out to you about delivering your free eBook 🙂

Note: Please only apply if you have time to read this FREE EBOOK within 30 days from date of receipt.

IMPORTANT: You will NOT be paid to write a review. Amazon does not permit reviews that are posted in exchange for compensation of any kind, including payment. Amazon accepts authors giving a free or discounted copy of their book up front in exchange for a review, whether it be positive and negative feedback. If you receive a free book in exchange for your review, you are welcome to say it was for a honest review.

Thank You Ever So for your interest in my books.  I shall contact you soon.

~Morgan~

 

 

 

Assassins Rising – A #ReverseInterview – One #Readers Thoughts on a #Dystopain #DarkFantasy

23 Sunday Aug 2020

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Aliens. Assassins. And the Apocalypse. They killed his mentor. They tried to kill him. And now, they are trying to kill her. Tortured by his past and uncertain of his future, the Assassin Core’s most promising apprentice, Aero, vows revenge on the time-shifting Anarchists, but soon finds himself caught in a web of lies, deceit and espionage. The Central District is under attack from above and within: the Alien Hosts have been silent for days, the Assassin’s Core has a mole, and when Aero discovers Fletcher, the man like a father to him dead, it’s all but too late and things spiral out of control. On the run, he encounters Astrid, the undefeated decagon champion who seems to be at the center of the murders, and despite his best efforts, seems to always be one step behind. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape the Anarchist’s clutches-and if they fail, they’ll lose everything, including their lives… Hit “Buy Now” and start your ya scifi, cyberpunk journey today. ★★★★★ A short, heart-pounding thrill-a-minute, post-apocalyptic dystopia!

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Tell us your initial thoughts of Assassin Rising?

I don’t typically read much science fiction, but I do read a lot of dystopian futures. I loved the unique twist that Assassin Rising has, and how simple yet well thought through the characters are.

What was your favorite aspect of Assassin Rising?

I love how anything goes. Aliens, alternate universes, Neuralink technology, why not? It seems like it would be overpowering, but there is just a pinch of everything and it ties it together.

Who was your favorite character? Why?

Even though he was only in Assassin Rising shortly, I loved Ben. I loved how he interacted with the other characters, and was mature and professional enough to not lash out against Aero or respond to Aero trying to get a rise out of him.

Who was your least favorite? Why?

I don’t have a specific least favorite character, but I do remember when I first read through I had a dislike for Larissa. I’m not quite sure why, as reading through a second time, I see nothing that she did or say that would make me dislike her. In fact, after reading it again I have to say I like her character more, and loved how she interacted with the others in the second scene she’s in.

If you were to compare Assassin Rising to any other book, which would it be? And why?

I can’t really compare Assassin Rising to anything I’ve read before, as this is the first time I’ve read something like it! It’s something fresh and new, yet still has the dystopian aspect like in The Hunger Games.

Who would you recommend read Assassin Rising?

I would recommend Assassin Rising to people who love dystopian futures. I’ve already recommended it to a few friends who love books like Divergent, The Giver, and Legend. It’s not your typical dystopian storyline, but instead takes it and twists it into something new and exciting.

What sparked your interest in this story that made you want to read it?

The first sentence really pulled me in, but what really caught my interest was the tie in with events happening in our current year, how it affects the rest of the timeline, and how they deal with it.

What surprised you about the story that you didn’t expect?

I was not at all expecting the end of the book. The last few chapters were a big surprise, especially the thing with Astrid. I especially loved chapter 15, the final chapter, due to how different it is from most books and movies.

Which scene has lingered with you the most? Why?

I can’t stop thinking about the scene in chapter two, where we get a backstory for what has happened. I love how Assassin Rising talks briefly about COVID and nuclear wars. That scene also had me wondering about other things that were mentioned, and to top it all off, I loved the interactions between Ben and Aero.

If you could ask the author anything about the book, what would it be?

I’d love to learn more about the Sky Wars, as it’s just mentioned once or twice, enough to keep the reader interested and needing more information.

What are you hoping to see happen as the story moves forward?

As a tie in to the previous question, I’d love to dive deeper into the backstory of the Sky Wars, and learn what went down in 2044. I’d also love to read an interaction with the Hosts, and meet them

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Ryan Carriere broke out in 2019 with the bestselling Eternal Stones series and is back with a new sci-fi, time-travelling, cyberpunk dystopia!

Assassin Rising: 2044 The Alien Gene Project is the first novella in the series. Stay tuned for next in the series, coming out late 2020!

Find Ryan:
Books2Read

Website

Facebook

You Tube

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~Morgan~

Kings of Muraine – #BookReview #Spotlight with #Author J.R. Vaineo

10 Monday Aug 2020

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Book Description

My Review

Everything he thought he was, he wasn’t. Everything he thought he understood he had to re-discover to actually learn the truth. Tyler, a 13-year-old who has lost much very early in life stumbles into a shocking revelation that makes such a loss seem inconsequential at best.
Author J R Vaineo has crafted a unique, imaginative and truly fascinating realm of fantasy and magic where things are not as they seem. Readers are taken on an exciting adventure, following Tyler and his companion, Gemma, who seek to unravel a mystery that will ultimately change his life forever.
Cryptic clues and paradoxical numbers confuse and, often, confound both the characters as well as this reader, as the plot thickens. Characters pour out of the pages in droves, and like the many people we run into in our daily lives, some are important and some are just there to fill the void. I might have liked a glossary to help keep the multitude sorted, but having read Charles Dicken’s Bleak House (where there are more characters then you know what to do with) the imaginative array was not overwhelming. They added to the complexity of the tale and gave a true-to-life feel to the story.
Kings of Muraine is the first book in The Journals of Ravier and end with a perplexingly pleasing puzzle that points readers to part two, Hunt the Dragon Within. Thrilling and bewildering at the same time, this is a tale readers will find as difficult to put down as it is to unravel. Recommended for readers who love to not see what’s coming next!
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Behind the Story with J.R. Vaineo

Let me tell you a little about the beginnings of creating this story. I’m thirty years old now. But the idea for The Journals of Ravier series started back when I was fifteen. It was in the Fall, the first week of school. Oh yeah! I almost forgot to mention I was homeschooled K – 12th grade. Though not an ideal way to grow up, as I spent a lot of time alone, I survived. A lot of things happened, prior to school starting that year. I was never the same. This story helped me to stay sane, during a time in my life when I was lost and lonely; hurting so, so bad inside. I needed an escape. And I got it through writing that first horrible, ugly draft in a spiral-bound notebook. It’s true what the battle-scarred authors say. First drafts are never pretty. The original story began with something like this: ‘What if horses had wings, and could fly? A boy once found this horse, and he named her Angel. He found her in the woods by his home. A boy named, Tyler Craven. This is their story.’ Not a good beginning, I’ll admit. But it was a beginning.

In 2005, around the time Hurricanes Katrina then Rita hit, is when I made the start. It was such a sad year. Yet a good year. Lovely Texans opening their hearts to their Louisiana neighbors . . . that was a beautiful thing. Recently home from a lengthy visit to Texas, my heart was bursting with so many emotions. Through it, I found a love for writing. And here I am, fifteen years later. My third book will be out, at the end of this year or sometime at the start of 2021.

In 2013, I changed the focus of the story. I made it better. Closer to what it is now. Caucasian Tyler Craven became Tyler Malik Ravier—half Caucasian, half Iraqi. Angel was renamed to Awngelic and then finalized as Awngeleik, similar in sound to the name of Angelique. I won’t even mention what Gemma Galloway’s name used to be. I will say this, however. Tadashi’s name was Ted! Amira was Gloria. All the characters were Caucasian. But I changed that, in 2013. Started thinking of new things. New names. New storylines. Then I wrote a rough draft, in 2015. That draft became the foundation for the first three books in Tyler Ravier’s series.

I’ve spent countless hours dreaming of the landscape of Muraine, tweaking it as needed . . . I wanted something unique. See, I grew up in a place with few trees around. Southwestern Wyoming. Always took twice as long for trees to grow to a “normal” size. It was a place at risk of droughts, well, quite a lot. Very dry. Unbelievably windy. Lots of snow, in the winter (usually). As you can imagine, I wanted a place vastly different to escape to. A place with lots of trees. Hence, Paragon was born. A model of excellence. The ideal sort of place I’d love to escape to. I later realized it needed a foreign name. Therefore, Pawv’Ragaen it became. I think that was in 2014.

Writing the books in this series has been a wild ride. I never thought I’d be an author. Though I’m self-published, I’m proud of it. Proud of the work I’ve put it. My writing isn’t perfect, but it is heartfelt. I’m honored to be the author, who’s steering Tyler’s story. Being a writer is so many things, really. I hope the product of my imagination wins you over. And know that I’m just warming up. I can feel it. Tyler demands that more be said than what the three books contain. And who am I to stand in the way of an amazing story being told through his eyes? Truly, there are days I simply feel like the characters are writing the story. That I’m their voice. Lol! I feel what they feel. I laugh with them, cry with them, cheer for them. As they grow, I grow. Not the other way around. Being a writer has changed who I am, as a person. I’m better, kinder, stronger. I actually like who I am. I didn’t, before. I simply existed. But that’s not living.

In parting, I must tell you . . . if you want a dream badly enough, chase it. Don’t give up. Just know that it takes time. Persevere.

Bio

J.R. Vaineo is a self-published indie author, residing in Salt Lake City, UT. In 2018, she published her first book: Kings of Muraine. When she’s not writing, she and her husband, Jessie, have many adventures together. Mostly in cooking, hiking, photography, analytical talks, and fawning over their two adorable fur-babies.

While J.R. Vaineo writes mostly fantasy fiction—combining elements of epic, portal, paranormal, and dark fantasy—she enjoys reading all genres; except, perhaps, for horror stories. After finishing a creative writing program, through the Institute of Children’s Literature, she continued to improve her craft of writing. In 2013, she graduated with her AA degree in psychology. During that time, she expanded on many things, especially focusing on what would prove invaluable for fleshing out characters and plot twists. What started out as a writing prompt, in 2005, has now become a nine book series she is currently working on: The Journals of Ravier. Sometimes, she is quite jealous of the characters’ abilities, found within her own writing. If that is a sign of anything, it is this: Obsession.

All the best,

Julie

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Find Julie on:

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Instagram

JR Vaineo Author website

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Where to Purchase

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

Books2Read / Other

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Thank you so much to Julie for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her story with BnV and Word Mongery and Musings 🙂

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~Morgan~

Official #Author Website – #FantasyBooks #YAFantasy #InspirationalBooks for All Ages

25 Saturday Jul 2020

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BooknVolume has been my home away from home for seven years – yes, can you believe that – Seven Years!  Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere, BUT, I do now have a vacation cottage in addition to my BnV mansion.

Today it became official (whatever that means, exactly)  the Cynthia A. Morgan Author website is up and running and waiting for you!  Pop on by, say hello, check it out and let me know what you think?

Personally, Im delighted, but I’m also open to feedback.  Is it easy to navigate?  Easy to read?  Does it have too much? Too Little?  OR is something missing you’d really like to see?  I’d love to know.

 

 

The Other Magic – A Reverse Interview into an #AwardWinning #Fantasy

24 Friday Jul 2020

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Winner – Pinnacle Book Achievement Award.

Runner-up – Independent Publisher Book Awards.

Finalist – Foreward INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

Finalist – National Indie Excellence Awards.

Darkness stirs in a world that is ill-equipped to confront it.

A prophesied king is born, but not all will benefit from his foretold conquests. In a realm where only clerics are permitted to practice magic, Kibure, a mere slave, draws the attention of much more than just his master after wielding an unknown force in a moment of desperation. In a twist of fate, Sindri, the priestess hired to strip Kibure of his power, defies the law, revealing designs of her own. But trust is in short supply in a land ripe with deceit. This wayward pair will have to work together if they hope to evade capture at the hands of the Empire’s most potent wielders.

Halfway around the known world, Aynward’s knack for discovering trouble drives him deep into conspiracies within which he does not belong. Too arrogant to accept counsel, he will have to learn the hard way that some actions have consequences that cannot be undone…

This epic fantasy series will be especially enjoyed by fans of Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Michael J. Sullivan, Patrick Rothfuss, and Michael Wisehart. .

In a unique Reverse Interview, Author Derrick Smythe interviewed on of his readers for more insights into the book:

What sparked your interest in this story that made you want to read it? First, it has a great cover, and that drew me in right away. Then I read the blurb for the book and knew I wanted to give it a try.
Who is your favorite/least favorite character and why? My favorite is Aynward and my least favorite is Grobennar. Anyward because he is the most fun and Grobennar because he’s such a jerk. He is fun to dislike, though, so I guess he’s not all bad.
If the story was made into a movie, can you see any specific actors portraying certain roles? No, I’m awful at that.
What surprised you about the story that you didn’t expect. There were more points of view than I expected, although it was not an unpleasant surprise. Quite the opposite, I thought it added additional complexity to the story. The fact that the author did a fantastic job of making these characters very distinctive and believable meant each new point of view brought an additional set of characters to life for me to discover and get to know.
What are you hoping to see happen as the story moves forward? All of the characters from the different points of view coming together and interacting. I know it’s going to happen and I can hardly wait.
Which scene has lingered with you the most? Why? I don’t want to give anything away but there is a scene near the end where Aynward loses some things that were more valuable to him than he realized and as he processes the losses he grows. It was moving and memorable.
Did you disagree with any of the characters’ decisions and why? Of course! Aynward makes tons of bad decisions and the things that happen to him because of it don’t seem to stop him the next time. It is a part of his charm.
If you could ask the author anything about the book, what would it be? When does the next book, the Other Way, come out? I read the sneak peek at the end of book one and I am ready for more.
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The Other Magic audiobook was recently release by Podium Audio, and is performed by Audie Award-winning narrator Greg Patmore. “Greg did such an amazing job. Listening to his voices for each of characters has given me new insight into the very characters I created. I’m finding myself hearing his version of each now as I continue working through the second book in the series. It’s absolutely incredible!” – Derrick Smythe
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Derrick Smythe has been fascinated with all things elvish, dwarfish, and magical since his days of running through the woods with sharpened sticks in defense of whatever fortification he and his brothers had built that summer. After consuming nearly every fantasy book he could find, he was driven to begin work on one of his own. When he isn’t dreaming up new stories, he can be spotted hiking the Adirondack Mountains or traveling the world. He currently resides near his hometown in Upstate New York with his enchanting wife, ethereal daughters, and his faithful-if-neurotic Australian Shepherd, Magnus.
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Find Derrick:

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~Morgan~

Whats Half-a-Million? – #Live #Author #Interviews

02 Tuesday Jun 2020

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I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a LIVE Radio Interview.  Chat and Spin Radio, a UK Based Internet Radio Broadcaster invited me to share a little bit about myself, my books, and why I wrote them.

Did I mention it was LIVE?

Yes, Live!

Me! 🙂

Oh boy, was I nervous…I was pacing around the place two hours ahead of time.  Why?, well, I’ve never spoken in front of upwards of a half a million listeners before! :O

Yes, half a million!

Ok, it was only 5 minutes, but still, it was the most nerve-wracking and exciting 5 minutes of my life…..

PHEW!   It was a joy, it was terrifying, it was amazing!

And yes, that’s a lot of exclamation points, but I really do mean all of them.

Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t allow me to upload the nifty video I created (If I do say so myself) to share the interview.

So I have only one option, but to share the link to the video (which is on Facebook)

I hope you will pop by and give it a look/listen.

Chat and Spin Radio Live Interview

And if I haven’t mentioned it in a while….THANK YOU!  Because without you, this would all be fairly pointless, now wouldn’t it?

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~Morgan~

#Free #Fantasy #Trilogy Preview

05 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Dark Fey

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Grab a #FreePreview of all three of the #DarkFey #Fantasy #Trilogy.

The Reviled https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/WMqxhogU

Standing in Shadows
https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/aKESrwV9

Breaking into the Light
https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/cHhmzrR0

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This story shares the Power of Hope, Acceptance and Forgiveness through the ideal that you can change the world, if you take Positive Action to Create Change through doing what is Right.

Praise:

★★★★★ – “The Reviled has everything you could want from an epic fantasy adventure.”

★★★★★ – “This author has an incredibly visceral and intense writing style. I loved the interplay between the light and the darkness.”

★★★★★ – “Morgan is a master of description. If you want something fresh, try out the Dark Fey Series.”

Simple Joys- of #books #SciFi and #Poe

21 Thursday Nov 2019

Posted by in Dark Fey

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I was delighted and honored when a reader sent me this picture of their bookshelf.

Just placement after all, but WHAT a place to be. I couldn’t help smiling and…. obviously…. couldn’t keep myself from sharing😊

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~Morgan ~

The Kalis Experiments- A #Sci-Fi #Fantasy #Steampunk #Mystery Epic #Read!

20 Sunday Oct 2019

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The Kalis Experiments (Tides Book 1) Kindle Edition

by R.A. Fisher

Syrina is a Kalis: a master of disguise, assassin, and spy. Her kind has served the High Merchants’ Syndicate for a thousand generations.

She receives a surprising gift from her master, and she realizes something isn’t right. The High Merchants don’t do anything without a reason.

When things don’t add up in an otherwise normal investigation, she follows the trail to the steam-powered city of Fom. There, she learns of a machine that could end civilization a second time.

Will Syrina stave off disaster, or seek revenge?

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My 5-Star Review:

An absorbing Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Steampunk/ mystery saga that makes me wish for a T.V. Series!

The Kalis Experiments, Book One Tides, has opened a brand-new world of Sci-Fi adventure.  The world building is immaculate, in-depth, and so original I found myself re-reading entire chapters just to fully appreciate all the subtle details and intricacies R.A Fisher has woven into his exceptional tale. The main character is equally unique, well-conceived, and thoughtfully introduced, allowing readers to identify with her despite her alien nature.

Thoroughly enjoyable and written with a likable prose style, I am eager to see where the author takes the story through the rest of the series.

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Biography

Robert Fisher has lived in Hiroshima, Japan with his wife and five-year-old son since 2015, where he occasionally teaches English, writes, and pretends to learn Japanese. Before that he lived in Vancouver, Canada where he worked in the beer industry and mostly just cavorted about, getting into trouble and eating Thai food.

He placed fourth in The Vancouver Courier’s literary contest with his short story The Gift, which appeared in that paper on February 20, 2009. His science fiction novella The God Machine was published by Blue Cubicle Press in 2011 under the name Robert Fisher.

He has been trying to write stories since he was four years old

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~Morgan~

#TheHobbit Meets #Dungeons&Dragons – #Epic #YA #Fantasy #Review

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Dark Fey

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The third installment of the Dark Fey Trilogy was recently compared to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and R.A. Salvatore’s Drizzit Do’Urden, a character from Dungeons & Dragons :
4-Star Review by SAG Actress April Wahlin:
Two warring factions of Fey clash in this third installment of the series.
With well-detailed action packed into every sentence, we are dropped right into the fray as Light Fey struggle to rescue a group of Younglings from the Demon Fey. Coming fresh off this conflict, the Light Fey seek to heal their wounded hero and take their next action against the child stealing antagonists.
Along their journey they gain new allies and band together against the brutally of the vicious Demon Fey Lord.
Full of ancient prophecies, colorful fey, and the horrors of battle, this book is definitely for adventurous readers.
If you love tales of Hobbits or the lore of Drizzt Do’Urden, this narrative style will be right up your alley.

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The Reviled are the enemy.  They embody brutality in every form. The Fey of the Light know only too well how savage the Dark Fey can be and daring to think otherwise invites tragedy.

Gairynzvl was once one of the Reviled and lived the riotous life of all Dark Ones, but his acceptance by The Fey of the Light has changed all that.  Now, he is opposing The Reviled by returning into their dark realm and rescuing childfey. The actions taken by him and his band of Liberators are not only changing lives, they are fulfilling ancient prophecies and proving long-accepted beliefs inaccurate.

Those who have lived in the Light all their lives are suddenly faced with unavoidable questions. How is peace achieved? Can Light unite with Darkness? Can all the atrocities the Dark Ones have inflicted really be forgiven?

The Fey of the Light have a deadly choice to make:  ignore the emerging truth or risk the tranquility of their realm and go to war to offer the Reviled a chance to change.

Read Breaking Into The Light’s Editorial and Reader-Rated 4 and 5 Star Reviews

Discover more at the Official Dark Fey Website

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~Morgan~

 

 

A Request … #Fantasy #Trilogy #CoverContest

26 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Dark Fey

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Last push..Breaking Into The Light is only down by a few votes! Please stop by, even if you voted already. You can vote each week and it’s super appreciated 😊😊😊

Thank You for your generous support. It means the world to me 🙂

https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/5093/

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~Morgan ~