Tag Archives: #fantasy

WOODS AND WINGS by M.W. Devers – LSLL Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

WOODS AND WINGS

by M.W. Devers

YA / Fantasy / Action & Adventure

Publisher: Midnight6 Publishing

Pages: 430

Publication Date: November 19, 2024

SYNOPSIS

She never sought the path of a hero. Destiny had other plans.

In the peaceful village of Rhigov, where traditions hold sway, fifteen-year-old Astraya Myna dreams of little more than escaping the confines of her kitchen duties. But when a malevolent force known as Vronti shatters the village’s tranquility, Astraya is thrust into a journey she never imagined.

Guided by a legacy she barely understands, Astraya joins forces with her brother, Raustra, and a small band of allies.

Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect their home from wingroans, dragon-like creatures whose powers are as formidable as their intentions are mysterious.

As shadows of betrayal and hidden truths close in, Astraya navigates a world where loyalty is tested and power proves both elusive and dangerous. With each step she uncovers more about her family’s past and her own untapped strength, until she must decide: how far will she go to save her people and what is she willing to sacrifice to discover the truth about herself?

CLICK TO PURCHASE:

Amazon | Bookshop.org| B&N | Signed Copy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M.W. Devers has been crafting stories since childhood, drawing from a lifelong love of reading that began at age three. The idea for Woods & Wings took root during a family vacation to a theme park, and he’s been dedicated to bringing it to life ever since, beginning in 2022. This is his first published work of fiction.

MWD enjoys the quiet magic of early mornings spent world-building and shaping characters, all from his home in New Braunfels, Texas, where he lives with his family.

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REVIEW

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I always turn to reading when I’m looking for an escape from an increasingly tumultuous world. Normally, I prefer Romance, but sometimes, I choose to lose myself in the pages of Fantasy books. This is one of those times. In Woods and Wings, I found solace in the heroic adventures of the Myna family — Astraya, the fifteen-year-old Stonebreaker; her brother Raustra; their grandfather Amir; and their mother Elizabyth — as they try to save their town from the menace of the dragon-like sibling wingroans Vulmen and Vronti and the cruel machinations of a person in power.     

Decisions made on behalf and for the good of others have a way of creating their own kind of curse.”

With the effective use of multiple points-of-view narration (including those of the fearsome creatures), M.W. Devers created a fascinating world that consists of elements both original and familiar. He told it in a language that reaches a wide range of audiences not just in age but also in levels of literacy. The exciting action scenes are balanced with emotion as the characters develop within themselves and their interpersonal relationships.

As usual with the genre, this story has many named characters. The author capably made them distinct and memorable — be they protagonists, antagonists, or supporting cast. I could not pinpoint which character grew the most because they all did by the end of this first story. I expect more revelations as the series progresses. 

Keep your family close and anchor your courage around those bonds of love.”

I found the fight scenes riveting and thought them cinematic in scope. I could totally see this book adapted to the big screen. The strong family core differentiates this from other series out there with orphaned main characters fighting against the world. In fantasy and real life, having people you love around you will always lead to winning.  

4 Four-half-stars

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WOODS AND WINGS by M.W. Devers – Book Blitz and Giveaway

WOODS AND WINGS

by M.W. Devers

YA / Fantasy / Action & Adventure

Publisher: Midnight6 Publishing

Pages: 430

Publication Date: November 19, 2024

SYNOPSIS

She never sought the path of a hero. Destiny had other plans.

In the peaceful village of Rhigov, where traditions hold sway, fifteen-year-old Astraya Myna dreams of little more than escaping the confines of her kitchen duties. But when a malevolent force known as Vronti shatters the village’s tranquility, Astraya is thrust into a journey she never imagined.

Guided by a legacy she barely understands, Astraya joins forces with her brother, Raustra, and a small band of allies. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect their home from wingroans, dragon-like creatures whose powers are as formidable as their intentions are mysterious.

As shadows of betrayal and hidden truths close in, Astraya navigates a world where loyalty is tested and power proves both elusive and dangerous. With each step she uncovers more about her family’s past and her own untapped strength, until she must decide: how far will she go to save her people and what is she willing to sacrifice to discover the truth about herself?

CLICK TO PURCHASE:

Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Signed Copy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M.W. Devers has been crafting stories since childhood, drawing from a lifelong love of reading that began at age three. The idea for Woods & Wings took root during a family vacation to a theme park, and he’s been dedicated to bringing it to life ever since, beginning in 2022. This is his first published work of fiction.

MWD enjoys the quiet magic of early mornings spent world-building and shaping characters, all from his home in New Braunfels, Texas, where he lives with his family.

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AMAZON ◆ GOODREADS ◆ FACEBOOK

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FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH BLOG PARTICIPATING IN THIS TOUR.

AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS – Pop-Up/Blog-Hop: Review and Giveaway

AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS
by
Kellye Abernathy
YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 296 pages
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Scroll down for a giveaway!
“This is a night for being brave.”
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.
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… how much cozy comfort there is to be found between the pages of a good book.”
     Filled with wonderful characters, vivid descriptions, and emotive prose, Amethyst, The Shallows is a transportative work of fiction that is simply magical.
If you have a book, you’re never alone.”
     This tale takes us to the mystical Dipitous Beach with its tight-knit community of children and adults who navigate highly relatable true-to-life issues like losses and illnesses as well as friendships and love. The book also transports us to the wonders of the underwater world with its amazing creatures, both imaginary and real.
Everything comes back to love.”
     While every one of the named characters is fascinating in their own right, I can’t help but have a favorite– the special little boy Tad Finch. His courage, intelligence, maturity beyond his years, and feeling with colors endeared him to me. I wanted to hug him whenever he appeared on the page. Truly, Ms. Abernathy made me care about the characters in this book–Lori and Casey, Condi and Isaac, Grand Ella, Andy, Trippy and Fancie, Kait and Vinnie, and even Figment, the octopus, and Guardian, the parrot.
     She also made me impatient to read the next installment in the series. I am totally invested in these stories now and am looking forward to enjoying them in the years to come.
… age never matters; these things are about bravery and heart.”
5 stars
Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!
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TO RESCUE A WITCH by Lisa A. Traugott – Cover Reveal Book Blitz

TO RESCUE A WITCH
By LISA A. TRAUGOTT
Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Fantasy
Coming March 1, 2024
Preorder here: Amazon
It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.
William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.
Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained “Devil marks” trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.
To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.
Now available for preorder.

Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist — who also spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.

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PRINGLE PRAWN by Michael Scott Clifton – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

PRINGLE PRAWN
by
Michael Scott Clifton
Contemporary Urban Fantasy / Fairies / Humor
Publisher: Book Liftoff
Date of Publication: September 19, 2023
Number of Pages: 310 pages
Scroll down for the Giveaway!
Move over Tinker Bell. There’s a new fairy in town!
Ben’s luck is changing. He has his iconic VW bus, a hot, wealthy girlfriend, and he’s managed to buy an old fixer-upper in an upscale neighborhood—just the thing to convince his girlfriend’s influential father that he’s husband material. But his new home has a secret, and when Ben opens a mysterious grandfather clock, he finds himself dropped into a magical land. There he meets Pringle, a six-inch prawn with a supercharged attitude and a pouchful of fairy dust. She saves his life, and when Ben returns to his world, Pringle returns with him.
Pringle’s adjustment to the modern world is a hilarious series of incidents that completely disrupt Ben’s life. When Russian mobsters and a vengeful HOA president attempt to hijack Ben’s life, Pringle zooms to the rescue—a pinch here, a pinch there, nothing a little fairy dust can’t fix.
But it’s when Pringle begins to grow that things really get interesting, because as Pringle’s size increases, so do her feelings for Ben. Ultimately, Pringle must decide whether to return to her world—or follow her heart and stay with Ben.
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Dear Reader, seat yourself in a comfortable chair, grab a can of Pringles, fasten your imaginary seatbelt, and enjoy this fantastically entertaining amusement ride of a fairy tale story.
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With a cinematic flair, Michael Scott Clifton plunges Pringle Prawn‘s hero Ben Hastings (and its readers) smack in the middle of the action on the very first page. His spectacular description of Ben’s desperate plight and frantic flight engaged all my senses, making me feel as if I were part of the scene.
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The exhilaration continues throughout the book, even more so when the scenes involve the adorable title character Pringle. She brought the fun, the humor, the sweetness, the magic, and the romance to the story. Her declaration at the end legit made me tear up. So did Ben’s. The romance in this story is so significant, that I’m tempted to tag it as a romantasy.
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Whatever genre this book belongs to, it’s undoubtedly a great work of fiction. There’s a fascinating mix of secondary characters, some supporting, others villainous, all diverse. I especially adore Archie and relate well to him having also worked in insurance and dreaming of owning a bookshop someday. I also like Hank and the Enchanted Door. As for HOA President Maude, I understand her role in the story and enjoyed her over-the-top shenanigans for the comic relief they provided.
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Comedy is necessary to balance the horrific subject of human trafficking which is a major plot point in the book. While the presentation is light, the seriousness of this societal woe is communicated clearly through the descriptions of the victims’ deplorable conditions and the lack of solutions offered to combat the problem.
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Pringle Prawn is pure entertainment with depth. I give this book my highest rating and I thank Lone Star Lit for including my blog in the tour that aims to introduce it to more readers. Easily one of my top 23 books for 2023.
5 stars
Multi-award-winning author Michael Scott Clifton lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie. An avid gardener, rapacious reader, and movie junkie, his books contain facets of all the genres he enjoys—action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch, and the Conquest of the Veil series, (The Open Portal, Escape from Wheel, A Witch’s Brew, and Cavern of the Veil Queen) all received 5-Stars from the prestigious Readers Favorite Book Reviews. The Open Portal has been honored with a Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award. In addition, his YA novel Edison Jones and The Anti-Grav Elevator received a Feathered Quill Book Award Bronze Medal. Two of his short stories have earned Gold Medals, with “Edges of Gray” winning the Texas Authors Contest, and “The End Game” winning the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization Contest. Professional credits include published articles in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine.

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1st Prize: An autographed copy of Pringle Prawn
+ $10 Amazon gift card
2nd & 3rd Prize: Kindle copy
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 10/20/23)

THE AQUAMARINE SURFBOARD by Kellye Abernathy – LSBBT Book Review

THE AQUAMARINE SURFBOARD

by

KELLYE ABERNATHY


Middle Grade / Magical Realism / Fantasy
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 290 pages
Publication Date: November 22, 2021






“Age never matters; these things are about bravery and heart.”


















Thirteen-year-old Condi Bloom’s dream is to learn to surf, but her laid-back beach town isn’t what it used to be. Big resort owners are taking over the cove. Worse, someone’s harassing the Beachlings, the mysterious old women living in the cliffs off Windy Hollow, a lonely tower of rock that people say is haunted. When a new surfer boy named Trustin shows up in town and invites Condi to a forbidden surfing spot, she’s swept into an extraordinary underwater adventure, where a surprising encounter with Koan, the Riddlemaster of the Sea, changes her life. Along with Trustin, his quirky twin and a mystical aquamarine surfboard, Condi learns the untold stories of the Beachlings, uncovering the timeless secrets of Windy Hollow.


Ebbing and flowing between reality and magic, times past and present, The Aquamarine Surfboard by Kellye Abernathy is a riveting beach tale about opening up to mystery, building community when and where you can — and discovering the ocean is filled with magic—the really BIG kind—the kind that changes the world.














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No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” ― C.S. Lewis






With its cinematic world-building and evocative prose, The Aquamarine Surfboard tells an engaging coming-of-age story that should appeal to readers of all generations. It is remarkably well-written, dynamically-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable.




Condi resonated well with me despite the disparity between our ages. I related to her grief, dreams, angst, fears, impatience, empathy, bravery, and maturity beyond her years. Ms. Abernathy created a memorable heroine in Condi.




She also drew the supporting characters–Trustin, Grand Ella, the Beachlings, to name a few–so vividly and so distinctly, they came alive in my mind. So much so, I think this book will make a great movie.




I consumed this while I was on the beach and I think that enhanced the reading experience a thousandfold.




5 stars




Playlist




The Aquamarine Surfboard Playlist


PLAYLIST: On Spotify














Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

























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