04 August 2018

History & Fantasy | Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fawkes is the perfect mix of history and magic.” —Cynthia Hand, New York Times bestselling author of My Lady Jane

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th-century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

“I was up late in the night reading, waiting to get to the fifth of November to see how the plot would actually unfold, and it did not disappoint. An imaginative, colorful tale about choosing for yourself between what’s right and what others insist is the truth.” —Cynthia Hand, New York Times bestselling author of My Lady Jane

“Hold on to your heart as this slow-burning adventure quickly escalates into an explosion of magic, love, and the truth about loyalty.” —Mary Weber, bestselling author of the Storm Siren Trilogy

Fawkes is a tale full of spiritual depth, tragedy, and hope. A beautifully written allegory for the magic of faith, with an achingly relatable hero who pulls you into his world heart and soul. A must-read for all fantasy fans!” —Lorie Langdon, author of Olivia Twist

“A brilliant book that fulfills every expectation. Brandes turns seventeenth century London into a magical place. I was captivated by the allegory of her magic system and how she blended that fantasy with history. I highly recommend this gripping and beautifully crafted book to all. It will leave you both entertained and pondering matters raised in the storyline long after you’ve finished reading.” —Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid and Captives

“A magical retelling of the seventeenth century’s famous Gunpowder Plot that will sweep you back in time—to a divided England where plagues can turn you to stone and magic has a voice. Deft and clever, Fawkes is a vibrant story about the search for truth and issues relevant to us, still, today.” —Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 10, 2018


03 August 2018

Kingdom Come Series | Spotlight & Review

Welcome to Kingdom Come Series by Cecelia Earl Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tour.

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Angels are real.
So are demons.

Shady Creek gets a whole lot scarier after Julia learns she's part angel, especially since the only person she can trust is an angel who's as infuriating as he is attractive.


Julia received a necklace containing the songs of the angels from her dad when she was four. When she was eleven, he abandoned her family and the necklace went silent. At seventeen, Julia's doing everything she can to maintain security for her family, but now her necklace seems to have come to life once again. And that's not all that's changing.

When a robber attempts to steal from their diner, the necklace blazes and burns her chest. Pain in her back is nearly unbearable as the thief transforms before her eyes... into something demonic.

Demon after demon threaten Julia's home, family, and friends, and she realizes there may have been something more behind her dad's disappearance. And now there may be something--or someone--dangerous after her.

Julia has to accept that she is not quite human. Will her infuriating but attractive Guardian Angel be able to prepare her for the battle to come?

Release Date: January 4, 2017


If only humans knew about the invisible dangers lurking around them...

Unable to confide in anyone about her double life of being both human and angel, and fearful she'll bring more death and destruction to those she loves, Julia pulls away from her family and best friend.

When demons once again start to show up at every turn, seemingly bringing about her brother's deepening depression, she demands her sword from Nicholas. Ever the stern Guardian Angel, he forbids her from using a weapon. Sick of fighting with Nicholas and confused about her feelings for him, Julia takes protecting her brother into her own hands as best she can.

But when demons are suddenly able to siphon souls from the living, ash-colored lines begin to appear on humans, lines of demonic poison that travel through their veins toward their hearts and alter their moods. Julia is in more danger than she ever imagined possible. To stop evil from spreading and overtaking those she loves, she'll have to seek out the one person she mistrusts most - her father - especially when a line appears on her own arm.

Enter a complex world where humans, demons, and angels collide, all battling to rule the Earth.


Release Date: May 31, 2017


Hell is nothing like Julia imagined and beyond everything she feared.

The little town of Shady Creek is under attack by Lucifer and his demons. To save the people she loves, human-angel Hybrid Julia must rescue their kidnapped Guardian Angels, even when it means defying her father.

Trouble is, he knows only too much about Hell's perils. When a demon sucks Julia into a cosmic vacuum, the experience leaves an indelible blight she dares not mention for fear of losing her place on the angelic rescue team.

As a growing demon army surrounds Shady Creek, Julia's feelings for her own Guardian become all too real and dangerous. But the cosmic imbalance fueled by Hybrid Angels, Rogue Guardians and Warriors is already depleting the strength of the rescue team. And there's no room for distraction when the mission is to get into Hell--and out again.

For the sake of the mission, Julia must face the truth of the Hybrids' existence. Because nobody will be safe unless she can trust the gift of free will--for others and for herself--in this end-of-the-world finale to The Legend of Shady Creek Trilogy.

Release Date: July 27, 2018


OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES


The Friday 56 & First Line Friday | Caught by Surprise

The Friday 56 is hosted weekly by Freda's Voice.
First Line Friday is hosted weekly by Hoarding Books.

Happy Friday!

The third book in Jen Turano's Apart From the Crowd series, this brand new release is at the top of my TBR currently, and I'm so excited to read it soon. Knowing the other books in the series, I'm expecting it to be a lot of fun to read.

02 August 2018

A Hangover-Inducing Series Conclusion | Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies' blood. Cole "Tox" Russell only wants to begin his life with Haven Cortes, but he must first complete a final mission: retrieve that sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order.

The AFO, however, is determined to claim the sword. Wielding their father's life over Tzivia and Ram Khalon, they threaten to expose Ram's long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things only worsen when Mercy Maddux, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the sword is tied to both Ram's secret and a string of unsolved serial murders.

Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to focus only on the enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must stop or take the enemy down with them.

Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: July 31, 2018


OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES


01 August 2018

Waiting on Wednesday | Unicorn Theater

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.
(Similarly, Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings.)

Happy Wednesday!

And wow, it's August, too!

Phoebe and Her Unicorn is just too cute not to love, so I always find myself looking forward to the newest addition to the series.