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Book Review

ALICE AND THE DEVIL by Steve Griffin.

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ALICE AND THE DEVIL is the 3rd book in The Ghosts of Alice series.

Here we pick up a while after the second book, although we still feel the impact and turmoil Alice feels from past events. Just when life should be giving Alice a break, some peace and rest, a young boy comes knocking…

We are surrounded by windswept moorland, a remote house, and dark stormy nights. A young boy, his ailing grandad, a stranger and an odd group of people… And the Devil. Add a macabre slice of history, the occult and buckets full of heart-stopping, seat-gripping terror, and you have a winner.

I love that these books, THE GHOSTS OF ALICE series, have everything I love in brilliantly crafted ghost stories. And, although they are all standalone books, you can certainly just pick one up and not stagger bewilderingly around wondering what’s going on. However, that said, I urge you to read them all in order; your reading experience will be enriched for it.

Such a brilliant read! Steve Griffin does it again, not that I ever doubted it, but ALICE AND THE DEVIL had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. Thoroughly recommended.

Full Review on Goodreads and Bookbub.

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Book Review

A WOLF SO GRIM AND MANGY by Caroline Noe

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What a joy to read! A WOLF SO GRIM AND MANGY by Caroline Noe was certainly one of the most fun and entertaining books I have read in a very long time.

An epic fantasy of a kingdom of changers – wolfs, bears, snakes and Eagles, and a regular world-weary woman from London. All cleverly woven together by the very talented Caroline Noe into one hilarious, touching and thrilling read.

The author gives us a brilliant cast and fabulous world-building, with a refreshing heroine Edi, who is definitely not your normal young and perky, perfect princess but bored, miserable and middle-aged. After receiving a regifted secret Santa present, a mysterious book, Edi finds herself marooned atop a frozen mountain in a strange land. With her reluctant, grumpy and ‘mangy’ rescuer, Curt, Edi finds her power of storytelling could be the key to sorting the strife of this waring world.

This book is utterly brilliant and completely unlike anything I have ever read. It’s well-written, funny and compelling, with danger, strife, and a refreshing romance.

Full Review of Amazon and Goodreads.

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Book Review

A DREAM OF DEATH AND MAGIC by Sarina Langer.

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A DREAM OF DEATH AND MAGIC is a little out of my comfort zone; although I read urban and high fantasy, they are not my go-to. Having said that, this felt rather a unique, individual story, and I was drawn very quickly to the world of Esta Anderson and all the chaos that is about to ensue.

Esta Anderson is a young woman with a passion for photography. Through her ability to lucid dream, she finds herself stepping from the shadows into a world surrounded by the Veiled — fairies and vampires, werewolves and demons. But with her newfound knowledge comes a genuine threat that could jeopardise everyone’s existence.

This is the first on a ten-book series, although it stands well on its own. If the prospect of embarking on such a series worries you, don’t let it. Although the author sets up so much more story and characters to come, the tale within this book has a completeness with the turn of the last page.

This is a relatively quick read with a must-read-on feeling from the first chapter. With a beautiful slow-burn romance building (I think I’ve fallen in love too), this book is full of wonderful, diverse characters, great dialogue and vivid, well-written scenes. Although I know the author to be a meticulous writer of epic worlds, I loved this book far more than I imagined.

FULL REVIEW on GoodreadsBookBub and Amazon.

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Happy Release day – ‘The Forest’ by Julia Blake

Today sees the release of the much-anticipated new fantasy novel from Julia Blake. ‘The Forest – a tale of old magic’, is available in gorgeous paperback and download from Amazon. Congratulations, Julia x

The Forest“I met a man made of leaves, with roots for hair, who looked at me with eyes that burnt like fire.”

An impenetrable forest that denies entry to all but a select few. A strange and isolated village, whose residents never leave. A curse that reappears every generation, leaving death and despair in its wake.

What is lurking at the heart of the Forest? When the White Hind of legend is seen, the villagers know three of its young people will be left dead, victims of a triangle of love, murder and suicide.

This time, Sally, Jack and Reuben have been selected, and it’s their turn to be tormented by long-buried jealousies, aroused by the dark entity existing within its shadowy glades. Only by confronting the Forest’s secrets, can they hope to break the curse and change their destinies – if they have the courage.

Keeper of secrets. Taker of souls. Defender of innocence. Existing on the very edge of believing, there is the Forest. And this is its story…

All Julia’s books are available from Amazon.

Julia Blake Profile photoI was born and raised in the lovely historic market town of Bury St Edmunds, where I live still with my daughter. I’m typical Cancer, in that although I like to visit new places and see new things, I’m always very pleased to get home again.

I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to pick up a pen, writing plays for my friends to act out at break time. I attempted my first novel at age thirteen. Of course, due to my age and lack of experience, it was complete rubbish, although I have to say the plot wasn’t half bad, maybe one day I’ll dust it off and attempt a re-write.

I didn’t seriously write until my late thirties, when the stories in my head suddenly began demanding release and I started to write furiously. Over the next ten years, I wrote six complete novels, one 17,000 word novella, half a dozen or so short stories and many poems.

Finally, in 2014 I decided to do something with all these words and, a few months later, after considerable proofing and re-writing, The Book of Eve was published.

Julia Blake

 

The Book of Eve

The Book of Eve is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“19-year-old Melissa doesn’t realise how bored she is with her dead-end life until she meets the beautiful renowned author, Annaliese, and her friends. Seduced by their easy glamour and apparently golden lifestyle, when an opportunity arises to become part of their charmed circle, Melissa desperately grabs it. However, she quickly suspects all is not as it seems within this beautiful world she now inhabits …”

Becoming Lili

Becoming Lili is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“Never has an ugly duckling turned into such a beautiful swan… An ugly duckling girl, Phyllis is bullied viciously at school and is unloved at home, a lonely teenager, longing for so much more from life … Suddenly, a random encounter with a stranger offers her a chance to have it all …”

 

Lost & Found

Lost & Found is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“Arianna Santorini has had a hard life. Abandoned by her husband, left alone to raise their child for six long years, she’s made the best of things. Then, she meets Luke Blackwood. Initially, he seems perfect, strong, kind, understanding and loving, everything she could possibly want. But, Luke has a secret, he’s rich, very rich, and Arianna has a deep-seated prejudice against wealthy men …”

 

Fixtures & Fitings Fixtures & Fittings is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“Book two in the fabulous Blackwood Clan saga, Fixtures & Fittings is Marcus’s story.
Rich, handsome, sophisticated, Marcus Blackwood has it all. Then tragedy turns his perfect life upside down, leaving him sole guardian of his young niece. Traumatised into selective muteness, Megan needs more than Marcus believes he can give her, but, what she needs most of all, is a home …”

Lifesong

Lifesong is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“She came from a different place, a world living in harmony with the lifesong that flows through everything, connecting all to the great song of the universe. Suddenly, she’s trapped on our world, a place hell-bent on self-destruction, a place that destroys without thought, poisons its own water supply and pollutes the very air that it breathes …”

 

Elcaires for Tea

Eclairs for Tea and other stories is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“Eclairs for Tea and other stories is a wonderful, eclectic, mix of short stories, flash fiction and poetry, to be dipped in and out of, and enjoyed at your own pace. Eclairs for Tea – There was something very important Kevin had told her not to forget. If only she could  remember what it was …”

 

Erinsmore

Erinsmore is available as Paperback & Kindle from Amazon.

“All her life, Ruby has longed to escape. Her imagination fed by the Narnia books and Arthurian legends, she dreams of another world. Discovering the ancient prophecy stone in a Cornish antique shop, she and her cynical older sister, Cassie, suddenly find themselves in the mythical land of Erinsmore. A realm of swords, chivalry and magic, it is everything Ruby has been longing for, but, is a world poised on the brink of war … ”

Julia Blake links:

www.juliablakeauthor.co.uk

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Erinsmore by Julia Blake

20180909_144908.jpgErinsmore is the 7th book release from indie author, Julia Blake. With its release back in May, it has been one fantasy I was itching to dive into. This is one author who never fails to deliver, with release after release, she’s a prolific force to be reckoned with.

So… Are you ready for a quest? Prepared to be carried off on an adventure of a lifetime? A tale of magic, good versus evil, epic battles? This is a tale with its inspiration firmly planted in Arthurian legend, with a quest and mythical creatures to delight even the most discerning Narnia fan. Then sit back and step inside the pages of Erinsmore.

Unsuspecting sisters, whilst on a family holiday to Cornwall find themselves stepping into another world. One of magic, swordplay, legend, chivalry, love, and a host of evil to match… But with a prophecy that will change the lives of young Ruby and her older, more cynical sister, Cassie, forever.

Two shall fight for freedom 
Defend the dragon’s throne
Two shall walk the dark path
And one return alone

The fate of Erinsmore lays at their feet. They cannot ignore, refuse or forget its plight for the fate of our own world is in danger.

This book delivers it all. Once you open the book you are quickly enticed into the pages, being carried off into Ruby and Cassie’s adventure in one massive leap, making Erinsmore an addictive page-turner.

Don’t be misled, although the author was obviously inspired by the likes of C.S Lewis (what fantasy writer isn’t), Erinsmore is in no way a pastiche or rework. The world of Erinsmore, and all those who dwell within its pages, good and evil, are unique, well-formed, credible, and spellbinding.

With the author’s effortless writing style, she lures you into this new world, so you settle there as if there is nothing fantasy about it; a clever ability, allowing the reader to be utterly transported.

Erinsmore, though may fall into the YA fiction genre, delivers so much more than you may first expect. There is nothing immature about this book, in peril or plot. The author has in no way simplified or altered her craft for the younger reader, the prose is clear, clever, artistic and beautifully crafted for the adult reader, fulfilling all the requirements for a fantasy adventure for all ages. For the young curious minds, it offers to nurture and cultivate, no doubt feeding a new generation of fantasy readers with a lifelong love of swords & chivalry, as once Lewis himself did.

This is another triumphant novel from Julia Blake, a step away from her, till now, normal genre of contemporary and romantic suspense, and she seems very at home here. Though, we have experienced a taste of this world-building creativity in Eclairs of Tea, her collection of short stories and poems.

Her writing speaks volumes of how natural, how very at ease she feels within the realms of knights and dragons. I have a feeling Erinsmore will settle Julia Blake fast and firm into the fantasy genre, I for one can’t wait to read what’s next. It’s no surprise that Erinsmore deserves no less than 5 Stars!

You can follow Julia Blake at her website, social media, as well as finding all her books at Amazon.

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