Thorns at Sunrise Release Day! And a Review!

23 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours, Cover Reveal Tags: , , , , , ,

Today is the release day for a fantastic fairytale retelling.

A young queen. Her imaginary friend. A kingdom on the verge of death.

She believes she’s crazy.

Queen Usilea has a secret–and he lives in her mind. Ever since she was six years old, her imaginary friend has been her closest companion, and her arranged marriage has been a great dread. When she learns her betrothed and the royal family have suddenly died, she feels obligated to attend the funeral in the foreign land of Absteph–and perhaps learn more behind their mysterious passing.

He only wants the truth.

Petar endures great pain to protect those he does not remember. His only solace is a shadowy woman who he loves–even though she denies that he exists. When a terrible tragedy occurs in his kingdom, that mysterious woman is his only hope of bringing justice to light. For the cage that imprisons him grows harsher every day, and he is losing the fight.

But there are thorns at sunrise.

Brought together on the barest thread of reality, Usilea and Petar must discover what really happened to the royal family. But Petar’s time is running out. Soon not even a Mender like Usilea will be able to save him.

This YA romance features a gender-swapped Sleeping Beauty in an original fantasy world on the brink of doom.

Amazon Kindle*: https://amzn.to/3XzECTH

Thorns at Sunrise autographed paperback: https://uncommonuniverses.com/product/thorns-at-sunrise-autographed-paperback/

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

My Review of Thorns at Sunrise:

Thorns at Sunrise is the second book in a series of unique fairytale retellings from author Janeen Ippolito.

While the first book Met by Midnight was a loose take on Cinderella, Thorns at Sunrise sets out to tackle Sleeping Beauty. If the Prince had been the sleeping one. Although the girl is now, the hero Thorns at Sunrise maintains a balance between both POVs and avoids the easy “girl power” narrative. Urlisa and Petar have a healthy relationship and the feels are there for those who came for the romance.

Like Met by Midnight, Thorns at Sunrise also includes original poetry, that compliments the prose.
The author is also a poet in her own right and I wondered which came first, the story or the poem?

If you live for fairytale retellings, this is one series you won’t want to miss. Met by Midnight and Thorns at Sunrise share characters, so I recommend reading them in order for maximum enjoyment.

I was blessed with an early review copy from the author, the above review is my fair and honest evaluation of the provided work.

In addition, special edition hardbacks of Met by Midnight and Thorns at Sunrise are also available.

The special edition hardbacks will feature all-new illustrated covers by Kristen Hildebrand/Magpie Designs. 

Thorns at Sunrise autographed hardback: https://uncommonuniverses.com/product/thorns-at-sunrise-autographed-hardback/

Met by Midnight autographed hardback: https://uncommonuniverses.com/product/met-by-midnight-autographed-hardback/

Met by Midnight (book 1 of the series) Amazon Kindle*: https://amzn.to/3HrV8zA

Author Bio:

Janeen Ippolito writes about misfits who defy expectations, whether in fairy tale, steampunk fantasy, urban fantasy, humorous paranormal romance, or poetry. She also spreads wordtastic joy in her work as a fearless book strategist, nonfiction author, and coach. In her spare time, she swordfights and posts cute animal memes.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @JaneenIppolito (https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito)

Facebook: @janeenippolitounique (https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique)

Pinterest: @janeen_ippolito (https://www.pinterest.com/janeen_ippolito)

Website: https://www.janeenippolito.com/

Instagram: @Janeen_Ippolito (https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito/)

*This site takes part in the Amazon Associates Program. That means if you click an Amazon link in this post and buy the product promoted the blogger will make literal pennies at no extra cost to you.

Broken Mirrors release week: Through a Shattered Glass

23 Dec 2022 1 Comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , ,

So long time readers will remember how when I published my book Runaway Lyrics it was part of The Frosted Roses group promotion. Well, this year the Arista Band of FairyTale Re-tellers is back with six Snow Queen retelling in their Broken Mirrors collection. I do not have a book in this collection but one of my frosted sisters, Sarah Pennington, is back with a topsy-turvy Wonderland/Snow Queen mash up.

Through a Shattered Glass

Book Description:
Drop the mirror and you break the world in two.

Alys hasn’t set foot in Wonderland in years. Not since the White Queen’s mirror shattered; not since her best friend, Kai Hatter, was killed; not since Alys fled back to her own world with a shard of enchanted mirror in her eye. She’s done her best to set aside the past and move on — until a red-painted rose appears in her room, and the portal opens once more.

Simultaneously desperate for hope and terrified of what she might find — or cause — Alys ventures back through the mirror. But the Wonderland she finds is not the same one she left behind, and though Kai is less dead than she thought, he still might be past saving. To make matters worse, the mirror shard is still in Alys’s eye, and Wonderland is all too susceptible to its corrupting power.

Only Alys can save the land and friend she loves — but if she’s not careful, she might be their doom instead.

A dark portal fantasy remix of The Snow Queen and Lewis Carroll’s Alice duology.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFVSH518

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62669175-through-a-shattered-glass

Author Bio:

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.

Find her online at: Author Site || WordPress Blog || Blogspot Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Amazon 

Sticker Promo:

Anyone who preordered Through a Shattered Glass or who purchases the paperback on release day can submit a proof of purchase to receive a set of character art stickers featuring art by the lovely Chloe Grace (@chloegraceartist on Instagram). One set of stickers per person; proof of purchase must be submited by end of day on December 26.

Link to request stickers: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBj-_REBIbaXY0ZjaAchJsjRLddu9Mq3KycXAAbmeVJVE1Ew/viewform?usp=sf_link

As a special treat, Sarah is sharing a fun fact about her book to whet your appetite. If you like Tea you’re definitely going to want to read this.

Fun Fact:

Given that one of the most famous scenes of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is, of course, the Mad Hatter’s tea party — and given my own tendency towards writing stories where food is a plot point — it should be no surprise that tea also plays a significant part in my take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. Alys’s first meeting with Kai Hatter is, as in the original, at a tea party, and they continue to bond over tea (and riddles) as they grow up together. Some would even say that it’s one of the foundations of their friendship.

So, if tea is so important . . . what kind of tea is it? And what are Alys and Kai’s favorite teas?

Alys and Kai share a preference for black tea over green, though they also enjoy herbal teas (or tisanes, as Kai would point out is the proper name). Both of their favorites are blends developed and perfected by Kai himself. Alys’s preference is for a summery blend of blueberry, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors mingled in black tea leaves — add just a touch of honey to make the perfect cup! Kai, for his part, is proud of all his tea blends and is happy to share any of them, but the one he loves most brings together delicate rose petals and almost flavor with chai spices. While it took the longest out of any of his teas to perfect, he thinks it was well worth all the effort!

Dive-in Review: Absolution

23 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours, Dive In Review Tags: , , , , ,

Hello welcome back. Today I am taking part in a blog tour for a new book called Absolution. My contribution is a review post. Absolution is the sequel to Amok that I featured here last year.

About Absolution

Release date: 24 November 2022

Published by: Teaspoon Publishing

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63103167-absolution 

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If cursed is the hand that kills, then it wouldn’t matter if that same hand stole, would it? 

Tulen feels doubly cursed, forced to serve the bratty princess of Impian as punishment for her crimes. When said princess embarks on a pilgrimage, Tulen grabs her only chance to offer a sacrifice at the holy city of Suci—and maybe, finally, feel clean again.

Sultan Mikal has set his face towards Suci—and certain death. Nothing about his Penance is clear, except the fact that if he fails, Terang will fall along with him. 

When Tulen’s pilgrimage intersects with Sultan Mikal’s quest to fulfil the Covenant of Salt, Tulen faces a difficult dilemma: What is her absolution worth in the face of the sultanate’s very existence?

Dive-in Review: Absolution

Absolution the book concludes Absolution the series, a trilogy of stories set in a fictional and fantastical version of southeast Asia. The stories and setting feel like they could be historical in some long forgotten part of our world.

Absolution follows Tulen, a young woman who has a special gift, which she uses in all the wrong ways. I really felt for Tulen. She is so relatable in her guilt. Tulen is sure she has committed an unforgivable crime, but the problem is, she’s the only one who believes she’s guilty. She dwells on it constantly always regretting her actions, never willing to forgive herself.

Since Absolution is a direct sequel to Amok, Mikal is back though not the POV character. He is on a mission to restore the covenant that was broken by his father. He is journeying in secret and it’s really fun knowing who he is while Tulen has no clue. I really like the way these two interact with each other. They are extremely shippable.

This book is the most spiritual of the three books in the Absolution series. Amok was mostly about having faith through adversity. The Tale of the Hostage Prince was about the importance of staying firm in your beliefs even when it might cost you everything. But Absolution takes it to the next level. It’s got so many themes, such as listening for the voice of God, forgiveness—even of oneself, and the most important lesson of all—leave the goat behind. (You’ll get it when you read it.)

the author gave me an ARC of this book for the purposes of review. My review here is my own honest opinion of the provided work

Absolution releases tomorrow.

Absolution pre-order links:

Amazon*: https://amzn.to/3TRFeCi

Other retailers: https://books2read.com/AbsolutionNovel 

Ebook pre-order price: USD $2.99 /

Absolution is the third book in Anna Tan’s Absolution series but even if you missed the first two books I feel like this one stands well on its own. But the first two books really are worth checking out. And right now you can get all three for $2.99 each.

Find Amok here*: https://amzn.to/3Fw7pCD

Find Tale of the Hostage Prince here*: https://amzn.to/3sGQRAj

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna Tan grew up in Malaysia, the country that is not Singapore. She is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersection of language, culture, and faith. 

Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the President of the Malaysian Writers Society. She can be found tweeting as @natzers and forgetting to update annatsp.com.

Where to find Anna online:

Website: https://annatsp.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/annatsp

Facebook: http://facebook.com/annatansp

Twitter: http://twitter.com/natzers

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*This website uses affiliate links through the Amazon Associates program. Every time you buy a book using one of these links the blogger gets pennies from Amazon at no cost to you. Those pennies will add up into nickels and eventually dimes.

Seaspoken Book Blitz!

08 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , , ,

Hey I’m back again. I might actually get the hang of this posting regularly thing.

Today I am part of a book blitz. It’s like a blog tour but instead of being really organized and spread out, a bunch of book influencers just blast about the book all over the internet. This whole week is a blitz for Seaspoken by Sarah Delena White.

If the name Sarah Delena White sounds familiar, it’s because I’ve featured her on the blog before for her Star-fae trilogy. You can read an interview with her here.

I am crunched for time and feeling lazy so this is the post copy as provided. No affiliate links this time. Scroll all the way down for an excerpt and a giveaway.

Seaspoken
Sarah Delena White
Publication date: July 19th 2022
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

An ocean consumed by rage. A challenge that demands blood. A love that defies everything.

Battle-hardened warrior Evya Atathari longs for a truce between her sea-dwelling tribe and the elven invaders. But her mother, the powerful and vengeful Seamother, will stop at nothing to see the elves destroyed.

Then the Seamother enacts a brutal rite of challenge for Evya’s hand to gain a powerful ally in the war. But even as the greatest warriors of the sea vie for her favor, her heart is captured by a man who should be her mortal enemy.

Keliveth Dalzana is a failed prophet of the elven king’s court—until a vision leads him to Evya and a chance at ending the war. Drawn to Keliveth’s idealism, Evya agrees to help him win the deadly contest for her hand and establish a peace treaty through their marriage. Together, they dare to dream of a better future.

But when their own peoples turn against them, Keliveth and Evya must find the courage to embrace their true destinies—and decide how great a price they can pay for their love.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Only 99c for a limited time!

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EXCERPT:

“Do you really believe we’re doomed to fight each other?”

“Yes.” A tear trickles down my cheek as I force the word out. Anything to keep him from taking one more step into the angry sea.

The singer’s laugh rolls through the mist. “I don’t believe that. Our peoples used to be friends. Tell me from your heart—do you believe the One Who Is has destined us only for war?”

The waves dance higher as his voice passes over them, and I shudder. The ocean is listening.

The Seamother is listening.

Depths take him, he’s going to get both of us killed if he doesn’t stop talking. I slip into the water, shifting back into my sea-dwelling form as I do. With a few flicks of my lithe tail, I speed through the shallows until I reach another large rock, this one only a few yards from the singer. I crouch behind it and speak in a whisper. “Please, leave before the Seamother hears you!”

“My name is Keliveth. Keliveth Dalzana.”

The singer’s simple words send ice through my veins. A Dalzana. A prophet of the elves, too powerful and dangerous to trust. And yet … this makes his claims about the Creator plausible. My head spins as I try to sort out what I dare believe about this man, and I say the first thing that comes to mind.

“I didn’t want to know that.” I would rather have gone on thinking of him as the dream-singer. As someone who didn’t have to be my enemy.

“Why not?” His voice is so earnest, so sincere, that it makes my next words all the more bitter.

“Because someday soon I will meet you on the battlefield.” My voice quavers. “And when that happens, either you’ll die with my spear through your chest, or I’ll be turned to ash by your magic.” I pause, gulping back sudden tears. “It’s worse when you know the names of the ones you kill.”

“Well, then, I guess you shouldn’t kill me.” I can almost hear a smile in his voice, and I clench my fists. Does he think I’m joking?

“I’m leaving,” I snap. “Don’t follow. My people will spear you and shred you to pieces.” I push away from the rock, ready to swim back down to the palace and leave this absurd dream world behind.

His voice cuts through the darkness again.

“Tell me your name. Then I won’t be able to kill you either.”

A pang shoots through my heart. If only it were that simple.

A wave swells before me, rising so much higher than the rest of the breakers that the stone outcroppings that dot the shallows are buried. I grip the rock I hide behind as the water rushes over my head. All thoughts are chased away by the sight of the wave as it arcs above me and crests in glittering white foam.

The Seamother has found me.

Author Bio:

Sarah Delena White writes eclectic speculative fiction that weaves world folklore and ancient concepts into vibrant, original story worlds, with a fine balance of poetry and snark. When she’s not writing, she can be found exploring nature, creating art, and seeking to make the perfect cup of coffee.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest


Giveaway!
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Fire that Unites Release Day! + Character Art

11 May 2022 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , ,

-This time, she wouldn’t rush into danger in lounge pants and a tank top.

From Fire that Unites by Janeen Ippolito

Happy release day to Fire that unites, the second book in the Arcane Market Adventures. Scroll to the end for some sweet character art of Josie and Oliver.

All Josie wants is to keep the man she loves safe. And stop the truth-knife from stabbing her soul.

Neither of these goals is happening.

After a harrowing escape from fire dragons, Josie ends up making a deal with the one man she shouldn’t—her ice dragon ex, Rafe. He’s willing to protect Oliver and her if she helps him stop the horrors of the Arcane Market. And she has to put up with his not-so-secret desire to win her back.

On top of that, her truth-knife has decided to turn on her. Suddenly every lie Josie speaks inflicts searing pain on her heart. How’s a woman supposed to guard her rogue fire elemental mate without lying?
Especially when he keeps getting beat up just for existing.

Caught between her icy-hot ex, her irrepressible mate, and the agony of her blade, Josie’s ready to do the one thing she can’t.
Even if it costs her safety.
And her life.

Buy now and enjoy a humorous paranormal romance with a side of action and twisty plot. Features a sensible firebird shifter with a feisty side, a rascally fire elemental with a tragic side, and an ice dragon who hoards antiques. Clean PG-13 – there’s heat, danger, and fighting, but nothing graphic.

Here’s the buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R8QLXL3/

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Here is awesome character art of Josie and Oliver:

The sly man had learned far too early how to seduce her, and it didn’t always involve him being shirtless.

From Fire that Unites by Janeen Ippolito

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Here are Janeen’s social media links:

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito

Epic Fantasy from Epic Gamers

03 Dec 2021 1 Comment

by C.O. Bonham in Behind the keyboard, book tours Tags: , , , , , ,

I know I just posted an update the other day. Well today’s update is related. I promise.

Did you know I play D&D?

“What is D&D ?” you ask quizzically.

Well I am surprised that you don’t already know.

D&D stands for Dungeons and Dragons. It’s a table top roleplaying game.

My party plays it on the computer, though, not on a table.  It’s hard to meet in person when you live in different parts of the country.

The players create characters and then someone called the DM, or Dungeon Master, creates a story arc for the characters to complete. It’s sort of like writing a book, only you have a different author writing a separate character while one author lords over everyone pulling the plot threads together.

It just so happens that my D&D party is mostly authors. So you can imagiane the amount of fun that we have with this.

Today I’m featuring my D&D party and our books.

First up is me. It is my blog, after all.

Cathrine/Katrin

Yes I am aware that it’s basically the same name. I did that on purpose.

Book: Runaway Lyrics

Snow wants to perform music, Rose wants to perform magic. Luckily, for them, it’s the same thing.

When an airship crashes near their home, Snow’s magical abilities awaken. Together, the sisters must learn to use their magic, rescue a pair of cursed princes, and discover their own secrets.

Discover the magic of music in this retelling of Snow White and Rose Red.

My D&D character is Katrin Songsmith. She is a Human Bard. In D&D Bards use music to perform magic much like my main characters in Runaway Lyrics. In fact, if you read the book already, you may recognize Songsmith. It’s the last name of my main characters, Snow and Rose. 

Was this an attempt to play my book character instead of writing a new one?

Maybe?

Like Rose and Snow, Katrin also has a twin sister. The evil White Dragon kidnapped Cressida. Her soul is currently inside a ship, and it is Katrin’s mission to restore her sister to full humanity. 

She has purple hair and wears a Rainforest café t-shirt. Because D&D lets you do things like that.

I also enjoy being super meta to annoy the DM.

Buy Runaway Lyrics

Naomi/Talice

Book: The Fey of Castle Garden

New York City, 1859: On Samhain night, a mage pledged to the Wild Hunt is violently murdered. Tensions between the Hunt and Triona, Fey Queen of Central Park, heat up and threaten to boil over into a full-scale conflict.

Sofia De Benedetti, mage and musician in Triona’s court, has her hands full making enough money to support herself and help women who are down on their luck in the rough corners of the city.

Now a fey war looms and a mage killer is on the prowl. Everything Sofia has built since immigrating, and her life itself, is at risk. With the help of a cait sidhe and a tempestuous storm fey, Sofia must find the murderer before the streets of the city erupt into a magical battleground.

Naomi plays as Talice a Cleric and a Drow. Drow are from the dark underground and are considered evil. But Talice has been called by Solaris to redeem the Drow and bring them out of the dark. I really like Talice, because in a game that is often accused of being evil she has created a character that feels very in keeping with the spirit of Christ.

Buy The Fey of Castle Garden

Janeen/Dessa

Book: Wishing Against the House.My city is under attack by shadowfiends.
Apparently, this is my fault, thanks to the family I’ve never met.

At least the attack interrupted my first couples therapy session with Cendric. Small blessings, right?Personally, all I want for Christmas is to survive until New Year’s.
And maybe, a vacation.

Janeen plays as Dessa, a Half-Elf Ranger and Beast Master. She has a Wombat as an animal cmpanion, named Alfred. Alfred has toxic farts that Dessa has weaponized.

I love her character becasue she comes up with the most bizarre solutions to problems that our party encounters.

And most of the time they work.

Wishing Against the House is Janeen’s newest release but it’s the third in the series. Click the buttons below for the first two books. Trust me you don’t want to come in in the middle.

Books one and two are on sale until Tuesday 12/7/2021.

Buy If Wishes Were Curses
Buy Wish You Weren’t Here
Buy Wishing Against the House

Now we come to the reason for this blog!

Happy Book Birthday to Power Play! The newest release in H.L. Burke’s ever expanding superhero universe. 

And yes, it just so happens that H.L. Burke plays D&D with me.

Heidi/Intuitive.

Book: Power Play

It’s dangerous to go alone. Even for superheroes.

Laleh Ashe has found her first real friends at Camp Sable, a refuge for at-risk superpowered teens, but her politically ambitious mother has other plans. Mrs. Ashe is determined to send Laleh to a fancy, overseas boarding school—far from her friends and the life she’s come to love. To drown her sorrows, Laleh agrees to a table top role playing game with her friends, Marco and Jake, as well as the new girl at camp—shy, withdrawn Rian. Too bad no one warned her about Rian’s reality bending superpowers.

Sucked into a fantasy world created by Rian’s imagination, Laleh and her friends must scramble to master their magical new surroundings and complete their quest if they are to have any hope of getting home again.

This magical world is less fun than it sounds, but as Laleh and her friends face the various challenges, Laleh can’t help but remember that all that waits for her in the real world is separation from her friends and a life under the thumb of her overbearing mom. Maybe going home is seriously overrated.

Superheroes meet Portal Fantasy in this second book of the Supervillain Rescue Project Young Adult Series.

Power Play was largly inspired by our D&D sessions. As I was reading it I couldn’t help laughing at all the inside jokes and events that she had copied.

But don’t worry this book is very accessible, even to people who have never played D&D before.

H.L. Burke (Heidi) plays a Tifling Wizard named Intuitive. 

Intuitive is a fun mix of book smarts and chaos, She once used octopus mating rituals to save the party from a Kraken. 

Intuitive also has a cat named Purrcival. He helps, sometimes, when he feels like it. He is a cat.

Intuitive is a fun character to play with because you never know what she’s going to do next.

Buy Book One: Power On
Buy Book Two: Power Play

The rest of the party…

Photo by Stephen Hardy on Pexels.com

There are two members of the party that do not have books out, but despite this oversight I will mention them, anyway.

The first is Matt, Heidi’s husband. He plays as Pyrrhic a Fighter. His character saves our butts in every session. He’s also the veteran D&D player in our group. He keeps gameplay on topic. Otherwise, we would all chase after every shiny side quest that presented itself.

The second person I need to mention is our long suffering DM who shall not be named. As the DM, he plays every other character in the game, including the bad guys. He also invents most of the story arcs and plots out how adventures will go. 

So do you play D&D?
Let me know in the comments.

Frosted Roses Release Six: The Bear

28 Oct 2021 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , , , ,

After a month delay it’s finally here! The last of the Frosted Roses retelling of Snow White and Rose Red.

Here are the links to my previous blog posts featuring the Frosted Roses:

My book Runaway Lyrics released Tuesday the 21st: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/21/runaway-lyrics-release-day/

As long as we Live, by Cortney Manning came out on Wednesday the 22nd: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/22/frosted-roses-release-two-as-long-as-we-live/

Gilded in Ice by Sarah Pennington went live on Friday the 24th: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/24/frosted-roses-release-three-gilded-in-ice/

Rose Petals and Snowflakes by Kendra E. Ardnek released on Saturday the 25th: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/25/frosted-roses-release-four-rose-petals-and-snowflakes/

Secrets of the Mountain released on Monday September 27th: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/27/frosted-roses-release-five-secrets-of-the-mountain/

The Bear was originally going to release on September 28th but was unfortunately delayed. This retelling is set in the old west and is loosely based on the Lone Ranger. don’t believe me. Just look at this cover!

Wunstaponia #2 
Once upon a time, way out west… 
 
Two sisters live in a forest with their mother, just outside the town of Wunstaponia. That’s just how they like it, but one day, an injured stranger stumbles into their chicken pen. He doesn’t want to give his name, but they quickly find themselves tangled into his troubles, unraveling a mystery of betrayal and stolen treasure. 

Purchace Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0997343B1/ 

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58551385-the-bear 

The Bear is the second book in the Tales of Wunstaponia. A western themes series of fairytale retellings. Book one was Sleeping Beauty and I’m looking forward to book three which will tackle Cinderella.

Find the rest of the Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087JNLXKR 

Author Bio: 

Rachel Roden is a natural storyteller, capable of weaving the most hilarious of fairy tales. She fell in love with the Lone Ranger in her teens, but ended up with a basketball referee instead. A homeschool mom of four, she also teaches with VIP Kids and tutors any other kid who wanders across her path. She might also be the sole human who still uses math after college. 

Find her online at: Blog || Goodreads || YouTube || Instagram || Twitter 

Be Our Guest Post: H.L. Burke and Why-A

28 Sep 2021 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Be our Guest Post, book tours Tags: , , , , ,

We are taking a break from the Frosted Roses tour to bring you a guest post from author H.L. Burke. This is part of her blog tour for the release of Power On her new superhero YA novel.

Why-A: Guest post from H.L. Burke

Why-A?

Why YA would make more sense but WHY-A was too good a pun to resist.

Where was I?

I am usually very easily distracted. It is unusual for me to stick with a story world beyond a handful of books. Normally I get to the end of a trilogy or a quadrology and maybe I’ve got a couple of short stories left to fill in some gaps, but not much else. I’m ready to move on, find something new. Something shinier. 

For whatever reason, my superheroes won’t let me go. My original four book series plan turned into five plus a short story prequel then a two novella spin off series. That was a lot of books for me. It was time to move on, so I’d decided to retire my main couple but what would they do. Well, they had a baby  now. Maybe they’d quit superheroing for her … but I couldn’t see them quitting the game altogether and I kind of wanted to see how Fade and Prism were as parents … what if they decided to continue rehabilitating supervillains but with a focus on at risk teens instead of adult supervillains? 

Dang it. 

I have to write this now, don’t I?

And here’s where I’ll admit … the main reason I took the series in a YA direction is I really really really like writing Fade as a Dad. 

I’m nearly fifteen years into my marriage, and for almost fourteen of that, my husband has been a dad (we had our first daughter a month after our first anniversary and of course there were nine months of pregnancy preceding that). I love being a mom, but I super love being married to a dad. I like the aura of protection. I like the way it makes a tough guy show his gentle side. I even like the jokes.

So while the focus of the story is on the teens, watching Fade and Prism grow as parents, both with their own infant children and the teens they take in and come to care for was my favorite part. Plus Fade’s dad joke game is strong:

“What’s the prize?” Marco asked.

“It’s a sir,” Fade said from where he stood behind his wife, holding Ruby.

“A what?” Marco scrunched up his face in confusion.

“A sir-prize.” Fade winked. 

All three of the teens groaned.

Plus the main character of this series, Jake, is in desperate need of a strong but loving role model … if only he can bring himself to trust Fade and the rest of the folks at camp long enough to let him fill that gap. 

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Also check out Kandy Wyatts blog to read an interview with Jake the main character in Power On: https://kandijwyatt.com/2021/09/new-supervillain-rehabilitation-project/

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Reformed, book one in the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project. Is freeree for the moment so don’t miss your chance to grab an awesome book and save on the super cinematic audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085X8N8FL

Power On: Book One in the Supervillain Rescue Project, a new YA Superhero Series from the world of the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project

Add Power On to your Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59003059-power-on

Power on releases October 9th but until then you can pre-order on Amazon. Only ninety-nine cents until October first then the price goes up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GBQF5PG

Jake’s family ties have turned to cuffs.

Born with the ability to fragment his body at a molecular level, Jake Lucas has devoted his life to his uncle’s supervillain gang. When he’s captured by superheroes, he’s certain his life is over at only sixteen.

To Jake’s surprise, he doesn’t end up in prison but at Camp Sable: an intervention project for at-risk super powered teens. Jake’s not interested in rehabilitation. As far as he’s concerned, the camp mentors are just a barrier between him and his true family, the Sand Fox gang.

Forced to work alongside the likewise screwed up duo of fire-powered Marco and electricity manipulator Laleh, Jake waits for the perfect escape opportunity. Having friends and the chance at a real family is more appealing than Jake originally thought, but going soft can cost a supervillain his life. Jake soon finds the forces fighting to control his life threatening to tear him apart.

Will Jake choose to remain the villain his uncle made him, or become the hero his new friends think he can be?

A Young Adult Superhero series featuring found family, friendship, and one superpowered ferret.

Author Bio:

H. L. Burke has written more books than she can count—because she’s written a lot of books, not just because she can’t count very high.

Easily distracted by shinies, she has published in many subgenres including fantasy romance, Steampunk, and superhero, and always creates story worlds with snark, feels, and wonder.

Married to her high school crush, she spends her time writing, spoiling her cat, and supervising her two supervillains in training (aka her precocious daughters).

An Oregon native, she wilts without trees and doesn’t mind the rain. She is a fan of delicious flavor, a follower of the Light, and a believer in happily ever after.

Author Links:

www.twitter.com/hlburkewriter

www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter

www.hlburkeauthor.com

www.instagram.com/burkesdragons

www.facebook.com/groups/hlburkereaders/

https://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B00EYQ1HLW

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7230868.H_L_Burke

Frosted Roses Release Five: Secrets of the Mountain

27 Sep 2021 1 Comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , ,

Welcome back to the Frosted Roses Blog Tour. We are up to book number five of our Six fairy-tale retellings. Tocays book is Secret’s of the Mountain by Wyn Estelle Ownes. This Snow White and Rose Red takes the classic tale and gives it a Norse twist.

Here are links to my posts about the previous four books:

My book Runaway Lyrics released Tuesday the 21st: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/21/runaway-lyrics-release-day/

As long as we Live, by Cortney Manning came out on Wednesday the 22nd: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/22/frosted-roses-release-two-as-long-as-we-live/

Gilded in Ice by Sarah Pennington went live on Friday the 24th: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/24/frosted-roses-release-three-gilded-in-ice/

Rose Petals and Snowflakes by Kendra E. Ardnek released on Saturday the 25th: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/25/frosted-roses-release-four-rose-petals-and-snowflakes/

Remember there’s a giveaway on our main tour page. (scroll all the way down for the raffle copter widget.) The winner gets four books in paperback, (one of which is my book Runaway Lyrics) and a red and white rose necklace. There’s only two days left so get your entries in now.

Secrets of the Mountain 

If there’s one thing Svanhilda has always known, it’s the importance of family. When her little sister Rósfrída was born, Svanhilda promised her mother that she and her sister would stick together. But as the years passed, tragedy after tragedy befell her family, ripping it apart piece by piece, until only Svanhilda remains at home with her ailing mother. And Rósfrída? She has stayed with Svanhilda, as they promised long ago—every time Svanhilda looks at her reflection, she sees her little sister instead, trapped in a prison of mirrors and treasure. Their only hope is that either their seafaring Father or Rósfrída’s strange bear friend might find a way to free her. 
 
Tryggvi lost his mother and father a long, long time ago—so long ago that he barely remembers them. When a boy prince named Asbjǫrn finds him wandering in the woods, he takes Tryggvi home and calls him brother, and his parents welcome Tryggvi as their son. Some years later, Asbjǫrn leaves to study for a year… but he never returns, and is thought dead and gone. 
But Tryggvi is convinced his brother still lives–and not without evidence. So, now that he is finally old enough, Tryggvi sets out to find Asbjǫrn, armed with his cat and an amber pendant which enables him to see the truth of things. And he will find out the truth and bring his big brother home. After all, he promised his baby sister he would, and that’s not a promise he’s willing to break. 
 
On the mountain there is a cave, and in the cave there is a mirror, and in that mirror live two friends: a girl and a bear, trapped in secrets, imprisoned by treasures of great worth. But help is coming, and the secret deeds done in darkness will be revealed, and the prisoners will be set free. 

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0996BQS11/ 

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58543220-secrets-of-the-mountain 

Author Bio: 

Wyn Estelle Owens is the penname of a young woman who’s still figuring out what this whole ‘adult’ thing is all about. She lives in a big, old house in Maryland by a Hundred Acre Wood (dubbed Neldoreth) with her parents, three occasionally obnoxious brothers, her dog Jackie, and her personal plot bunny, Joker. 
She is fond of reading, writing, drawing, speaking in dead or imaginary languages, playing videogames, quoting classic or obscure literature, being randomly dramatic, and generally making things out of yarn. Her dream is to write stories that inspire people to chase after the wonderful world of storytelling. 
Her favorite all-time authors are Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Christa Kinde, and above all, J.R.R. Tolkien, who first inspired her to pursuing novel writing when she read the Hobbit at the age of seven. 

Find her online at:  Goodreads || Facebook || Amazon 

Frosted Roses Release Four: Rose Petals and Snowflakes.

25 Sep 2021 2 Comments

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , , ,

Welcome to the fourth release for the Frosted Roses Fairy-tale blog tour.

Today I’m spotlighting Rose Petals and Snowflakes, by Kendra E. Ardnek. She’s the very motivated individual who not only started the Arista Fairy-tale retellers but she put a ton of work into this blog tour. Check out the main blog tour page for more posts about her Jane Austen fairy-tale mashup.

https://aristasdirectory.blogspot.com/p/six-frosted-roses.html

Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the tour page for a raffle copter giveaway. The winner gets four of the Frosted Roses books in paperback and a frosted roses necklace.

Check out the first release (It’s my book) here: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/21/runaway-lyrics-release-day/

The second release is here: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/22/frosted-roses-release-two-as-long-as-we-live/

Here’s the link to my review of the third release: https://cobonham.com/2021/09/24/frosted-roses-release-three-gilded-in-ice/

The Austen Fairy Tale #1 

Rose Petals & Snowflakes 

After their father’s death, and thanks to their older half-brother’s wanderlust, two sisters find themselves caught in the politics of mysterious forest. Elinrose finds herself in direct conflict with the wood’s Mistress, while Snowmari hides a deadly secret that could mean her death if found out. Can their bonds of sisterhood withstand these trying times? Or will they even make it out alive? 

Purchace Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GXDLZQP 

Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55816493-rose-petals-and-snowflakes 

Preorder #2 Crown and Cinder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B4DG79B/ 

Author Bio: 

Kendra E. Ardnek is the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. She lives in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her dragon babies and massive herd of mini-giraffes, and she is still waiting for one of of her fifty nutcrackers to come to life and marry her. When not writing, you can usually find her sitting in a random box, and she’s frequently known to act before she thinks. 
Find her online at: Website || Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Newsletter || Instagram || TikTok || Amazon  

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