Sadie's Spotlight

December 7, 2020December 14, 2020

Spotlight & Excerpt: Oath of the Brotherhood + Giveaway

Oath of the Brotherhood
(The Song of Seare #1)
By Carla Laureano
Christian Celtic Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 336 Pages
January 12, 2021 by Enclave Publishing

When evil threatens, who will find the faith to fight it?

In an island kingdom where the Old Ways hold fast and a man’s worth lies entirely in his skill with the sword, Conor Mac Nir is a musician and a follower of a forbidden faith—problematic for any man, but disastrous for the son of the king.

When Conor is sent away to a neighboring kingdom to secure a treaty, he learns that his ability with the harp is a talent that traces back to the magical foundations of a once-united Seare. But his newfound home is soon placed in peril, entangling Conor in a plot that has been unfolding since long before his birth.

Only by leaving both kingdoms behind and committing himself to an ancient warrior brotherhood can Conor discover the part he’s meant to play in Seare’s future. But is he willing to sacrifice everything—including the woman he loves—to follow the path his God has laid before him?

Excerpt

“Welcome, my lord Conor,” Marcan said with a bow, his voice as calm and capable as ever. “Your old chamber has been prepared for you. Come.”

Dolan gave him a nudge, and, reluctantly, Conor followed Marcan up the front steps into the great hall. Torches threw flickering light on the cavernous room, from its rush- covered floor to the curve of the ceiling, though they could not quite dispel the shadows at its apex. Conor’s gaze settled on four unfamiliar men standing before the dais that held the king’s throne. From their elaborately embroidered clothing, he guessed three of them to be lords of the realm. The fourth’s clean- shaven head and plain robes marked him as a cleric.

The priest turned, revealing the black tattoos that etched his neck and curled up behind his ear. Conor halted as he met the piercing blue gaze, unable to summon the will to move. The sensation of a thousand insects scrambled over his skin.

Lord Labhrás’s solid form cut off his view, breaking his trance. “Take Conor to his chamber,” Labhrás told Dolan. “I’ll be up directly.” Only when the servant took Conor by the shoulders and turned him down the adjacent corridor did he realize he was trembling.

Who was the man? And what had just happened? Conor struggled for breath as they ascended a long flight of stairs, a pang of foreboding striking deep in his gut. He gave his head a sharp shake to clear away the sluggishness. Only once he was halfway up the stairs did he regain enough clarity to survey his surroundings.

They looked completely unfamiliar.

He glanced behind him to the hall to reassure himself they hadn’t detoured while he was in a daze, but no . . . this was the main staircase to the upper floor. He must have traveled this very path thousands of times, both before his early years at fosterage and in his visits back home.

Why couldn’t he remember it?

About the Author

Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they’re scheduled.)

November 29th: Launch
November 30th: R.J. Anderson – Swift
December 1st: Ralene Burke – Armor of Aletheia
December 2nd: Michelle Diener – Breakaway
December 3rd: Sandra Fernandez Rhoads – Mortal Sight
December 4th: J.M. Hackman – Burn
December 5th: Sharon Hinck – Forsaken Island
December 6th: Ronie Kendig – Dawn of Vengeance
December 7th: Carla Laureano – Oath of the Brotherhood
December 8th: Belle Malory – Deviant Descendants
December 9th: Sara Schaller – The Genesis of Seven
December 10th: Jennifer Silverwood – Stay
December 11th: Anne Wheeler – Treason’s Crown
December 12th: Melissa Wright – Between Ink and Shadows
December 13th: Morgan Wylie – Silent Orchids
December 14th: Kristen Young – Apprentice
December 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 19, 2020

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 5, 2020December 14, 2020

Spotlight & Excerpt: Forsaken Island + Giveaway

Forsaken Island
(The Dancing Realms #2)
By Sharon Hinck
Christian Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 272 Pages
September 15, 2020 by Enclave Publishing

On an uncharted world, happiness is effortless and constant … but can true joy exist without sacrifice?

The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies.

After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya.

Freeing the villagers of the bondage they’ve chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they’ll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly … or be cut off from their home forever.

Excerpt

Chapter One

Across a sweep of waves, the new world called to me. The tangleroot shore of Meriel’s rim rocked beneath my bare feet, daring me to leave the island’s safety and venture to the smudge on the horizon. Sea breezes tickled my skin, stirring my excitement and making my muscles twitch.

Beside me, Brantley rolled a cloak and stuffed it into his pack. “We should have left at first light.” Wind brushed fair curls across his eyes, and he tossed his head like an impatient pony shaking his mane. A mottled brown tunic stretched across his broad shoulders, and a longknife rested at his hip.

I folded a sheet of parchment and tucked it into the tiny pouch hanging around my neck. “Saltar Kemp kept adding to the list of supplies she wants us to search for. She’s hoping we can find seeds to bring back, so the villages can develop new orchards.”

The possibility of such bounty still felt surreal. The notion of an uncharted land like a child’s fanciful dream. To think, for centuries we had believed our island floated alone on an endless ocean, and now a mere speck amid the vast expanse of blue had proven our wisest elders wrong.

We were not alone.

And the thought made me shiver.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author

Award-winning author Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary women on extraordinary faith journeys. Known for their authenticity, emotional range, and spiritual depth, her novels include the ground-breaking Sword of Lyric fantasy series and her imaginative new Dancing Realms series, that begins with Hidden Current and continues with Forsaken Island. She has been honored with a Christy finalist medal, and three Carol awards for her novels. When she’s not wrestling words, she enjoys speaking to conferences and retreats, and is an adjunct professor for Creative Writing M.F.A. students at Concordia University. She drew on her background as a dancer, ballet teacher, and choreographer for her new Dancing Realms series.

Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they’re scheduled.)

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 19, 2020

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 4, 2020December 14, 2020

Spotlight & Excerpt: Burn + Giveaway

Burn
(The Firebrand Chronicles #3)
By J.M. Hackman
YA Fantasy, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 331 Pages
May 26, 2020
Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC

Life: 1. Brenna James: 0.

An AWOL talent, an enemy-occupied hometown, and a Life Shade boyfriend-Brenna James just wants something to go right. Although her family has been given sanctuary in Syeira, Brenna will never be safe as long as Rune is hunting down and killing Firebrands.

Can someone please wake her up already?

When a prophecy sends Brenna and Baldwin on a confusing quest, they aren’t sure where to begin. They must find the Caelestis Staff, a powerful object that both cuts and mends space itself. Rune wants it too, and he’ll use any lethal tactics necessary to obtain it.

Yeah, nightmare material right there.

A traveling oasis, plenty of man-eating mermaids, and one Skeleton King later, Brenna seriously doubts she has the edge she needs to confront Rune. When Brenna’s faced with the biggest test of her life, will she burn like the Firebrand she is? Or will she burn out?

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Kobo

Excerpt

Disappointment wrapped its fingers around my throat. I struggled to take one breath, then another. Baldwin was the same every day. Seeing the flash of clarity disappear in his eyes was crushing. Would he ever get truly better? And did I stay with him out of love or guilt? Probably both. If Baldwin didn’t recognize me, what did that do to our relationship? I couldn’t imagine what his parents were going through.

A woman’s voice slipped through my dark mood. “It’s been a long time, but it’s good to be back for a visit.”

My ears pricked. I knew that voice. What was Abira Edan doing here? Wasn’t she supposed to be waiting for me to show up in Kelda Hills? I pressed into my seat in an attempt to hide. But in these white upholstered chairs, I was as conspicuous as a pimple on a nose. I wasn’t ready to see her, to explain why I’d stayed here instead of going to Kelda Hills like I’d promised.

“Thank you for the escort.” She followed the guard to the door, her steps slowing as she caught sight of me. “Brenna? How convenient. You’re just the person I wanted to see. How are you?”

I’m living in a shack. My boyfriend is a Life Shade. I lost my gift four weeks ago. “I’m fine.”

The Firebrand Chronicles

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author

Award winning author J. M. Hackman loves thunderstorms, bookstores, and happy endings. She’s never met a reading nook she didn’t like and prefers soul talk to small talk. When she’s not writing or reading, she spends quality time with her greatest fans—her family. She’s written Spark, Flare, and Burn (YA fantasy series the Firebrand Chronicles) and has had her stories published in the anthologies Realmscapes, Mythical Doorways, Tales of Ever After, and Encircled. She spends her days writing stories, consuming massive quantities of dark chocolate, and looking for portals to other worlds. She loves connecting with her readers! You can find her at authorjmhackman@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/jmhackman, www.jmhackman.com, or at www.instagram.com/jm_hackman_author.

Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they’re scheduled.)

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 19, 2020

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On tour with Prism Book Tours