Tag: Love Books Tours

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Spotlight: Reign of Clans and Gods, by Ashley Merdalo

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reign of clans & gods

Reign of Clans and Gods
by Ashley Merdalo
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 370
Publisher: Lake Country Press & Review
Format: eBook

What’s more dangerous in the world of politics, love or war?

On the island of Eiram, there were once four clans.

Four clans, four rings–now there are three…

Twenty years ago, invaders attacked Eiram, staking claim to a section of territory and massacring the people that lived along those bluffs, The only remnants of that clan are the few who hold on to the black iron rings of the Clan o’ Cliffs. Survivors have since assimilated into their new homes, taking rings from their adopted regions: gold of the Mountain Clan, wintry silver of the Forest Clan, and the deep copper of the Clan Amongst the Rivers.

For now, there is peace…

Gifted with the power of foresight, Willa is a portal to the gods, her days and nights are filled with prophecies and omens. Since the age of two, she has been trapped in an engagement arranged to maintain the balance of power across class. Facing a loveless marriage, Willa struggles to reconcile the idea of the benevolent gods with her own bleak future–until she meets Dempsey on the night of Beltane, and they encounter evidence of the land’s dwindling magic.

Heir to the Clan Amongst the Rivers, Dempsey is everything Willa’s fiánce isn’t. His shameless flirtations make her feel alive, and Willa can’t help but feel drawn to the taste of freedom his power of storms gives her. Together, they realize the invaders are moving in again, threatening the stability of the clans and the existence of the gods. It’s up to Willa to step into her birthright and unite the clans if they’re going to stand a chance at preventing conquest.

Amazon UK / US

About the Author:

Ashley MerdaloAshley is obsessed with storytelling: written, on the screen, or word of mouth. Daydreaming in the middle of the pandemic about her time abroad in Cork, Ireland led to her first attempt at a manuscript. This passion project resulted in her debut novel Reign of Clans and Gods publishing November 22, 2022. 

A student of history and political science, telling the dramatics of government and power calls her name. When not with her laptop, you can find Ashley wrangling her dog or re-watching her favorite TV series. Ashley resides in Arlington, Virginia with her boyfriend, but also calls Boston and Southern California home.

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Spotlight & Excerpt – Last Fables: Fraudewolf, by J.M. Congdon

OFFICIAL COVER Illustrated Edition [Digital] (2) copy

Last Fables: Fraudewolf
Illustrated Volume One
by J.M. Congdon (Author), Ivan Griscenko (Illustrator), Alex Savoie-Laflamme (Illustrator)
Genre: Epic, High Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Over a century ago, a hero single-handedly brought an end to an age of horrors and monsters, and the world has mostly recovered from the devastation since. But the world once again is threatened by darkness. In the realms of carnivores and herbivores, a female jackrabbit has spent ten years in search of a wolf, seeking to be taught what he fears above all else.

Amazon

Excerpt:

The hare stalked the wolf.

His trail had grown alternately warm and cold over the years, his passage never anything more than whispers. Rumors filled Eni’s ears and journal, mutterings heard only when the nights grew long and cups grew empty, but they were enough. They had brought her to Ctesiphon, where the air felt almost galvanic with potential, and to a small tavern where she knew the other patrons felt the same.

The voices of mammals were just a little too loud, a little too cheery, with a desperate edge to every word that passed from one set of lips to another. All conversation stopped as the door banged open, an ash-choked wind blowing in grit and making the lanterns hung from the rafters overhead sway drunkenly. The floorboards vibrated with the passage of a massive bull making his way to the bar, the mournful breeze dying in an instant as a waitress slammed the door shut.

Mammals began talking again as the bull sat down heavily, wordlessly ordering a beer, and for a moment Eni could almost tell herself she was imagining the heavy atmosphere.

Almost.

Just outside the inn’s cozy confines Ctesiphon was dying by inches, the stench of burning crops impossible to banish no matter how many sweet-smelling herbs dangled from the smoke-blackened rafters. The Blight was implacable, an enemy that couldn’t be fought by any normal means, but Eni wasn’t searching for someone normal.

About the Author:

J.M. Congdon is a simple passionate storyteller and illustrator, on a journey to create countless creations alongside other amazing artists and writers.

 

 

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Spotlight: Domitian, by S. J. A Turney

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Domitian (2)

Domitian
The Damned Emperors #3
by S. J. A Turney
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 413
Publisher: Canelo
Format: eBook Worldwide

Raised in chaos. Forced to rule. Abandoned by the gods.

Rome, AD 52. The Julio-Claudian dynasty is in its death throes. Over the next twenty years, chaos descends as Claudius then Nero are killed. The whole empire bucks and heaves with conspiracy, rebellion and civil war.

Out of the ashes and discord, a new imperial family emerges: the Flavians. Vespasian is crowned emperor, with his sons, Titus and Domitian, next in line.

Domitian, still only a teenager, has known only fear, death and treachery for as long as he has been alive. Suspicious of the senate as a breeding ground for treachery, and fiercely protective of his surviving family members, he uses a network of spies to stay one step ahead of any would-be conspirators.

When Titus unexpectedly falls gravely ill, the throne beckons for Domitian, something he never wanted or prepared for. As in all his darkest moments, Domitian’s childhood guardian, Nerva, is the man he turns to with his fears, and his secrets…

An insightful and arresting novel, packed with intrigue and betrayal, perfect for fans of Harry Sidebottom and Conn Iggulden.

Amazon

Excerpt:

Pomegranate Street
Rome, AD 52

It starts with blood. It always does in Rome.

I was finally returning after a two-year sojourn in the provinces. My travelling companion was Titus Flavius Sabinus, a friend of some years, and he was as tired and travel-worn as me. The Flavii and my own family had ties stretching back several generations, and it was no coincidence that Flavius and I had managed to secure a military tribuneship, the first step on the ladder of public offices, in the same province and in the same month as one another.

I had served with relative distinction in the Twentieth Legion under the great governor Ostorius Scapula, slogging through the hills and valleys of western Britannia to bring the light of civilisation to tribes whose idea of culture was different colours of mud. Flavius had served with the Second during the same campaign. He and I had spent many a dreary day together enduring the endless rain, and many a soggy night drinking away our woes with the other tribunes in a warm, clammy campaign tent.

‘Is it not a welcome sight, Marcus?’

I turned to Flavius. ‘I’m not sure. I think I have grown to appreciate the simplicity of the military life. Commands given and carried out, everything working like a machine. As long as every gear turns, the whole thing works. Rome is… complex.’

About the Author:

sja turnerHaving spent much of his childhood visiting historic sites with his grandfather, Simon fell in love with the Roman heritage of the region, beginning with the world famous Hadrian’s Wall. His fascination with the ancient world snowballed with interest in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium, though his focus has remained Rome. A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his time visiting historic sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading.

Simon’s career meandered along an eclectic path from the Ministry of Agriculture to network management before settling back into the ancient world, returning to university to complete an honours degree in classical history. With a rekindled love of all things Roman, he set off on a journey to turn Caesar’s Gallic War diaries into a novel accessible to all. Marius’ Mules was completed in 2003 and has garnered considerable, bestseller status and reviews, spawning numerous sequels.

Now, with in excess of 40 novels available in numerous languages, Simon is a prolific writer, spanning genres and eras and releasing novels both independently and through renowned publishers including Canelo, Head of Zeus, and Orion. Simon’s varied series cover numerous periods of ancient Rome, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, Viking Byzantium, and the Templar Knights. Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.

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