‘A Curse So Dark and Lonely’ (A Curse So Dark and Lonely #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

“Fall in love, break the curse.

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she's instead somehow sucked into Rhen's cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.”

Review:

Excellent re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast with original content and characters.  I’m very excited for the sequel to release next year: ‘A Heart So Fierce and Broken’ though I do not know if this series will be a duology, I hope it continues on past book two!

This is a skillfully written YA fantasy / fairy tale re-telling that I highly recommend, especially for fans of A.G. Howard’s ‘Splintered’ series.

Borrow ‘A Curse So Dark and Lonely’ from your local library or purchase from your preferred book seller, you won’t be disappointed!

Cover Reveal: ‘Mimic’ by C.L. Denault

‘Mimic’ by C.L. Denault 

(The Prodigy Chronicles #2)
Publication date: March 22nd 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction,Young Adult

Synopsis:

In 2012, one cycle of an ancient calendar system came to a close. Humanity predicted its downfall, but it wasn’t the end of their evolutionary climb. It was the beginning.

Willow Kent is discovering that life as a second-phase prodigy comes at a price. Trapped in the London Core, her choices are limited, made difficult by her forbidden romance with Reece and the presence of a new commanding officer who establishes harsh rules. With unpredictable skills and a growing distrust in her birth parents, she is struggling to play the Core’s game. But when opportunity arises in the form of a mysterious shapeshifter, Willow realizes there’s more to her own evolution than meets the eye. She soon learns that keeping secrets is a key move, and the more dangerous they are, the greater her need to evolve into the powerful prodigy nature intended her to become.

But those closest to her have their own secrets, and her status has made her an easy target for betrayal. Who will she turn to, when nothing is as it seems?

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About the Author:

C.L. Denault is a speculative fiction writer who loves dreaming up tales of adventure and intrigue. A former systems analyst, she gave up her nerdy code-writing skills to care for her family (including a son with special needs), and currently lives among the vast stretches of cornfields in Illinois. 

Writing and working out are her biggest passions, along with drinking coffee and watching sci-fi. When she’s not hanging out with her husband and kids, she can usually be found at a library or tucked away in the shadowy corner of a hip coffeehouse. She’s also been glimpsed sneaking into her garage, late at night, to work on her time machine.

She enjoys connecting with people—especially those from other planets, nearby dimensions, and the future. To find her, just visit her website or social media pages. Or use a Stargate. Whichever is easiest. 

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‘House of Salt and Sorrows’ by Erin A. Craig

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

“In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.”

Review:

A lovely and original take of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” though beware; this is a dark fairy tale retelling.  While not quite ‘horror,’ there are more than a few moments which may lead to using a nightlight.

Author Erin A. Craig has accomplished the most challenging part aspect of re-telling this particular fairy tale; readers learn something unique and memorable about all twelve sisters.  Though four are departed before we begin to follow Annaleigh’s narration, they are mentioned just enough to provide us with a window into their personalities.  Even more detail is given to the eight living sisters; their hobbies, personalities, and their place within the family dynamics.

Craig created her own mythology and lore of deities for this tale; Gods of the Sea, the Night, Tricks, Nightmares, and others.  Though this is a complete story with an ending, I hope Craig continues to write of characters in this world, as there are several other kingdoms.  Perhaps one day we’ll read other fairy tale re-tellings set in this magical place.

  

This is a skillfully written YA fantasy / fairy tale re-telling that I highly recommend, especially for fans of A.G. Howard’s ‘Splintered’ series.

‘House of Salt and Sorrows’ will be available on August 6, 2019.

#HouseOfSaltAndSorrows #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.  

Cover Reveal: 'Book of the Dead' by Nadine Nightingale

‘Book of the Dead’ by Nadine Nightingale

(Gods of Egypt, #2)
Publication date: February 7th 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Nisha
They called me Angel of Death, but I am something else. Someone else. That is, if you believe the Egyptian desert god, Seth, who haunted my dreams since I can think. Sounds crazy, huh?

I, too, thought I was insane.
Broken beyond repair.
But—

When Seth’s followers—the Black Flags—invaded our annual Halloween ball and slaughtered half the town, my nightmares became reality. Those crazy bastards think I’m the reincarnation of Nebt-Het, the Egyptian goddess of protection, that I can help Seth get his immortality back. It’s why they pushed my cousin, Izzy, through a portal to the Underworld, knowing I had no choice but to follow her.

Now, I’m trapped in this godforsaken place, forced to conquer all twelve caverns, with Seth by my side.

Blaze
I was born into a Traveler clan. Grew up with tales of warriors and magic. I thought it was all bullshit. Fairytales. Until—

Nisha Blake, the girl of my dreams, caused an earth quake.
And an Egyptian God sent his crazy disciples to kill half the town.

I failed to protect Nisha. Couldn’t stop her from going after her cousin, from walking right into hell. Now, she’s in Seth’s world, bound to do what he wishes.

Our only chance, to get the girls back, is to find The Book of the Dead—some long lost magic tome, no one has seen or heard of in ages.

Wish us luck.
We’ll need it. 

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About the Author:

Nadine aka Dini is a traveler at heart. She considers the world her home and practically lives out of her suitcases. When she's not glaring at a blank page or abusing her poor keyboard, she spends her time reading, watching movies (preferably horror), pretends to work out, and hangs out with friends and family. Poor girl also suffers from a serious Marvel superhero addiction. So, if you run into her at night, wearing black, know she's secretly dreaming of being the infamous Black Widow.

Her love for writing started in the sixth grade where she annoyed her classmates with a short story featuring Sailor Moon characters, a cemetery, and creepy ghosts. Yes, she's always been addicted to the dark side. Nadine writes paranormal romance. Her debut novel "Karma" the first book in her paranormal romance series Drag.Me.To.Hell. is published by the Wild Rose Press.

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