Cut to the Heart: Cover Reveal

28 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

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

Since I know that the Facebook preview image (If you came here by way of there) already spoiled the cover reveal for you I’m just going to lead with the lovely cover image for this exciting new book, that you can preorder now.

All Josie Framer wants is a man with fire magic—and to find the truth-knife that’s rightfully hers.

However, neither of these quests are going well.

After her latest date-turned-disaster, she’s almost ready to give up—when she happens along the blade on the way home. Unfortunately, reclaiming her property makes her target of the Arcane Market, a nefarious underground trafficking ring for magical artifacts and magical beings.

To make things worse, she keeps running into Oliver Salamandras, a dangerously attractive fire elemental who’s on the run from his own hunters. Getting involved with him means more trouble. Plus he has enough baggage for an aircraft carrier.

If only he wasn’t just what she’s looking for–right at the worst possible moment.

Faced with deadly foes and an irresistible stranger, a woman might just do something crazy.
Drastic.
Life-changing.

Available for preorder now

Amazon Preorder – 99 cents for a limited time!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX8D7X7/

Goodreads – Add to want-to-read list
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56851000-cut-to-the-heart


Buy now and enjoy a humorous paranormal romance with a side of twisty plot. Features a sensible firebird shifter with a feisty side, a rascally fire elemental with a tragic side, and a completely adorable wolf pup. Clean PG-13 – there’s heat, danger, and fighting, but nothing graphic.

The Arcane Market Adventures is a two-book companion duology to The Steel City Genie urban fantasy series. Best read alongside that series and great as a springboard.

If want to know more about The Steel City Genie series, check out these related blog posts:

Janeen Ippolito’s guest post for If wishes were Curses: https://cobonham.com/2019/02/09/if-wishes-were-curses-blog-tour/

My Review of Wish you weren’t here: https://cobonham.com/2019/06/17/wish-you-werent-here-dive-in-review/

Janeen Ippolito believes you should own your unique words—and make them awesome! She’s a multi-published author of bestselling fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She’s also an experienced book editor, marketing strategist, and businesswoman, plus the CEO of Uncommon Universes Press. When not writing, she can be found exploring random hobbies or posting cute animal memes. Join her on social media or at janeenippolito.com

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/  
Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/getmyfictionchapters
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168444147251310/
Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

UUP Cinderella Blog Tour: Met by Midnight review.

14 Sep 2020 2 Comments

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

Do you remember back when I did a double cover reveal for two Cinderella retellings from Uncommon universes press? If you don’t check it out here.

Well release day for these books is close at hand so I’m here to dive right in with my review of the first of these awesome books.

Met By Midnight dive in Review:

Met By Midnight is advertised as a Cinderella retelling, but it’s so much better than one.

Let’s face it Cinderella always had a choice. She could have left.

Renna is a mender, a slave, locked in a secure sanctuary and forced to heal the ailments of others. She has no choice. She has no step mother, no sisters, only her gift that makes her property and a tool to be used by others. This is not the story of a nice girl getting her hearts desire.

This is a story of defiance. A story of a girl who will not be used any longer. This is not a sweet romance, this is Hunger Games level wrong. Be prepared to be disturbed and outraged on behalf of a population.

I was blown away by the originality in this story. Not only the circumstances that Renna experiences but also the way the Prince is treated. Jaric thinks he is cursed because mender’s powers are useless on him, and in a family that values perfection, every scar is literally a mark against him. To marry the girl of his dreams he will need more than a slipper, he’ll have to upset the system. A system that’s already staked against him.

This is sounding more like a commercial than a review, but it was so good. I just want everyone to read it.

So in conclusion:

This story was so good, it stirred up all the feels, all righteous anger. This has many things that Cinderella does, a girl who wants to change her lot in life, a royal ball, even a lost slipper. But do not go in thinking this is a sweet fairy-tale. This is not Cinderella.

This is DEFIANCE.

*I was given an ARC by the publisher so that I may leave an honest review of the provided book. The above review was given willingly and contains my honest opinion.*

An outcast prince. A captive healer. A single night that changes their destinies.

She lives a nightmare.

As a Mender, Renna is held captive to an endless cycle of receiving and recovering from the physical ailments of others—a cycle that led her mother to an early grave. When her father becomes deathly ill, Renna is desperate to save her only remaining family. Even if it means allying with criminals and taking an illegal mission into the royal palace on the night of their greatest ball.

He’s haunted by dreams.

Unable to be Mended, Prince Jaric’s existence is a curse to his family’s façade of health and security. Marrying him off at the ball and sending him to a distant dukedom is the royal solution—but Jaric has his own plans. For years he’s dreamed of a young woman, a strong-hearted Mender he would give everything for. When she arrives the night of his betrothal, he’s determined to discover her true identity.

Met by midnight, their fates are entwined.

While escape seems the only answer, powerful forces conspire to keep Renna and Jaric within their cages. Forces that undermine the foundations of the kingdom itself—and threaten any hope of a future together.

This YA romance features Cinderella in an original fantasy world with a dystopian twist.

Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She’s a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She’s also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she’s helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com

Media Links:

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito
Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/creativenewsletter
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Order your copy today.

You can still pre-order Met by Midnight and/or Ashen. Hurry it releases the 22nd.

Amazon Kindle

Ashen – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZZFKKX/

Met By Midnight – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZYXJLW/

Other Online Retailers

Ashen – https://books2read.com/u/b5ZW7A

Met By Midnight – https://books2read.com/u/3Gdpea

Autographed Paperback

UUP offers autographed copies of all their books when you buy direct. Order separately,

Ashen

Met By Midnight

Or save heavily on both.

Bundled Special (both books)
https://uncommonuniverses.com/product/ashen-and-met-by-midnight-autographed-paperback-bundle/

Add to Goodreads Want-To-Read List

Ashen – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343688-ashen

Met By Midnight – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343721-met-by-midnight

UUP Dual Cover Reveal, Duel.

17 Jul 2020 Leave a comment

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

One of my favorite publishers Uncommon Universe Press is releasing two Cinderella retellings simultaneously. So what better way to celebrate this than to host a dual cover reveal and have them fight to see which is more interesting.

First up is Ashen by H.L. Burke.

Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away?

Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun—and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cooking alongside the tavern owner and avoiding the suspicious gazes of the villagers in her small northern town. While she quietly longs for the handsome Brynar, she knows she has no chance with the mayor’s son, even if he invites her to the First Frost festival.

When sudden earthquakes strike Brumehome, blame falls upon Lizbete, and not even her friendship with Brynar can protect her. She finds shelter in the dangerous caverns of nearby Ash Mountain. There she discovers mysterious people with her same ability to draw heat—and a fiery doom in the mountain that slowly awakens with every quake.

Now the festival Lizbete thought to avoid is her only chance to warn the villagers. Yet even with Brynar at her side, can the strange girl dubbed the Ash Lizard hope to save the town that fears her?

A rugged YA Cinderella retelling set in a fantasy world with light steampunk elements.

Wow that sounds super interesting and not at all like Cinderella. But can the cover do it justice?

Very nice, I love how the cover is so cold until you get to the bottom and see that fire burning inside her. I think it perfectly embodies the description.

Now Met by Midnight, by Janeen Ippolito

An outcast prince. A captive healer. A single night that changes their destinies.

She lives a nightmare.

As a Mender, Renna is held captive to an endless cycle of receiving and recovering from the physical ailments of others—a cycle that led her mother to an early grave. When her father becomes deathly ill, Renna is desperate to save her only remaining family. Even if it means allying with criminals and taking an illegal mission into the royal palace on the night of their greatest ball.

He’s haunted by dreams.

Unable to be Mended, Prince Jaric’s existence is a curse to his family’s façade of health and security. Marrying him off at the ball and sending him to a distant dukedom is the royal solution—but Jaric has his own plans. For years he’s dreamed of a young woman, a strong-hearted Mender he would give everything for. When she arrives the night of his betrothal, he’s determined to discover her true identity.

Met by midnight, their fates are entwined.

While escape seems the only answer, powerful forces conspire to keep Renna and Jaric within their cages. Forces that undermine the foundations of the kingdom itself—and threaten any hope of a future together.

This YA romance features Cinderella in an original fantasy world with a dystopian twist.

I’m starting to think that, people who go to balls, is the only thing you need for a Cinderella retelling. But let’s check out the cover.

Very, very nice. This cover is very elegant and low key. I love the vines sprouting out of the title. I think it does a good job of making the reader want to open the book while still maintaining the mysteries promised in the blurb.

Amazon Kindle

Though Sunday 7/19/2020: preorder the ebooks for only 99 cents.

Ashen – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZZFKKX/

Met By Midnight – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZYXJLW/

Other Online Retailers

Ashen – https://books2read.com/u/b5ZW7A

Met By Midnight – https://books2read.com/u/3Gdpea

Autographed Paperback Special

UUP has placed the paper back versions of both books on sale for this weekend. Get a discount on one.

Ashen – 10.99

Met By Midnight – 7.99


Or save heavily on both.

Bundled Special (both books) – 17.99
https://uncommonuniverses.com/product/ashen-and-met-by-midnight-autographed-paperback-bundle/

Add to Goodreads Want-To-Read List

Ashen – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343688-ashen

Met By Midnight – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54343721-met-by-midnight

About the authors

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic. Her obsessions include dragons and tales about inner beauty and character overcoming extreme circumstances. Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.  

Media Links:

Website: https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hlburkewriter 
Email Newsletter: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f6o2i8  
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter/ 
Instagram: @burkesdragons

Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She’s a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She’s also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she’s helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com

Media Links:

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito
Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/creativenewsletter
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Okay so I love them both and I actually don’t know how to make books, or their covers, fight a duel.

Should I just admit it was click bait and leave or should I poll you?

Leave a comment answering the following questions.

So what do you think?

Which cover is better?

Is people going to a ball the only thing you need for a Cinderella retelling?

Does that make Romeo and Juliet a Cinderella retelling?

Fictastic Interview with Akira

23 Apr 2020 1 Comment

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

Today I have the honor of interviewing Akira Yamamoto.
Akira is a vegetarian vampire, with a Japanese name and a French accent. He’s also a fictional character. He can be found in the novel Wish You Weren’t Here, and the novella My Alien Engagment.

Fictastic Interview with Akira:

CO: Akira, you were first introduced in a Steel City Genie novel and now you are appearing in an Accidental Alien Romance Novella. How do you feel about this series hopping? Do you like meeting new people or would you rather be a regular in only one series? If Janeen tries to drop you into the Ironfire Legacy would you be okay with that?
AY: Oui, I’m all right with the series hopping. It keeps life interesting. I enjoy meeting all sorts of people, so I enjoy the new adventures. I do not have much desire to visit a different world, but if I must, I would prefer Cendric or Theiya going with me.
CO: Who would you want to play you in a movie?
AY: I like the author’s choices of Godfrey Gao or Shen Lim. Although I think Shen Lim fits what I look like now far more.
CO:  You are a Vegetarian Vampire, but you are also a world class chief. Do you feel that your cravings for blood have harmed your taste for real food?
AY: In actuality, human blood makes me…what is the word? Nauseous. It was a trouble until I discovered plant blood. Once I began ingesting plant-based blood, my life became far more active. Unlike the vast majority of Blood Kind vampires, I have few troubles with food. But I enjoy making dishes for specific diets and palates. It is a blessing.
CO: In My Alien Engagement we learned that you were seeing a certain light Elf law enforcer. How long has this been going on and how serious is your relationship? Will we be reading My Vampire Engagement next?
AY: Ouille! This, I cannot speak about too much… *he glances around furtively* I will say, it is complicated. And…she is not the reason we are merely exploring possibilities. I am.
CO: So at this point you’ve been a vampire for longer than you were human. But I’ve got to know, what were you like as a mere mortal? 
AY: I don’t remember ever being a human.
CO: How do you cope with being immortal? Does it get boring after a century?
AY:Non, being immortal is very natural to me. I have never had the troubles that others have had with the transition.

 

CO: Did your friendship with Cendric change after he got married? Does having Allis around enhance your life or do you find that she is hogging your friend. 
AY: Well, friendships must always change and shift over the course of life. Cendric and I have experienced many such shifts over the decades. I have no trouble with Allis. She is endearing and does good work in stirring up Cendric. He can become set in his ways at times. Such a shame. As well, there is no trouble with Cendric and I finding time to spend together–she does not take over all of his hours. I have enough of my own social life to entertain me. If anything, I sometimes wonder if Allis and Cendric need to spend more time together. They both tend to be more outward-focused in helping so many others.
CO: Are you holding out hope for an Akira spin off series? What kind of adventures do you think you would have on your own?
AY: A spin-off series would be lonely, I think. I prefer to be a part of a group.
CO:Thank you very much for coming Akira, I really enojyed getting to hear a little more about you.
Check out Akira in the following book:

MyAlienEngagement

She’s engaged. She’s transformed. She’s ready for anything.
Except her future in-laws…

Kelley Vanders-Froggett’s life is finally in order again: she’s on break from a great job, she has a supportive family, and she has Anthony Salamandras, her hot alien fiancé who’s making it all too hard to wait for the altar. Yeah, she’s still figuring out his culture, but everything is finally falling into place for their life together on Earth.

Then Anthony’s brother shows up declaring Kelley unworthy to marry into his family—unless she passes ancient trials. Never mind that these trials haven’t been used in generations. Either Kelley proves herself worthy, or she’ll be separated from Anthony forever.

Three trials, no warnings, and everything on the line. But Kelley’s already survived one fiery test, and she’s not going home without her man, no matter what it takes.

My Alien Engagement is the second novelette in The Accidental Alien Romance Chronicles, a series of short romantic satires featuring a sassy heroine, a hot alpha with a side of derp, a sweet core, and a fiery happily-ever-after.

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53089918

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872J35FH

My Alien Engagement - Quote 1

Author bio 

Janeen Ippolito Headshot Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She’s a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She’s also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she’s helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com


Links

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168444147251310/

Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/getmyfictionchapters

Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito

My Alien Cover Reveal

10 Apr 2020 1 Comment

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

One of my go to authors is releasing a new book. And I get to show you the cover right here today.

First a little about the book. My Alien Engagement is the sequel to My Alien Boyfriend.

Both feature hilarious riffs on common romantic tropes. Even the cover is purposefully trope filled. But don’t be fooled this series much more Com than Rom.

MyAlienEngagement

She’s engaged. She’s transformed. She’s ready for anything.
Except her future in-laws…

Kelley Vanders-Froggett’s life is finally in order again: she’s on break from a great job, she has a supportive family, and she has Anthony Salamandras, her hot alien fiancé who’s making it all too hard to wait for the altar. Yeah, she’s still figuring out his culture, but everything is finally falling into place for their life together on Earth.

Then Anthony’s brother shows up declaring Kelley unworthy to marry into his family—unless she passes ancient trials. Never mind that these trials haven’t been used in generations. Either Kelley proves herself worthy, or she’ll be separated from Anthony forever.

Three trials, no warnings, and everything on the line. But Kelley’s already survived one fiery test, and she’s not going home without her man, no matter what it takes.

My Alien Engagement is the second novelette in The Accidental Alien Romance Chronicles, a series of short romantic satires featuring a sassy heroine, a hot alpha with a side of derp, a sweet core, and a fiery happily-ever-after.

 Add it to your Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53089918

Author bio 

Janeen Ippolito Headshot Janeen Ippolito believes in Jesus, true love, and the power of your unique words. She’s a bestselling author of speculative fiction, writing resources, and poetry. She’s also an editor, author coach, marketing strategist, and the president of Uncommon Universes Press. When she’s not immersed in the geektastic world of words, she’s helping her husband with his youth swordfighting ministry, exploring a slew of random hobbies, and posting up cute animal videos on social media. This extroverted writer loves to connect, so find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website janeenippolito.com

Links

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168444147251310/

Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/getmyfictionchapters

Instagram: @janeen_ippolito

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito

A Storm Grows: Poem Feature

09 Dec 2019 2 Comments

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

Today on the blog I have a special feature. Author Janeen Ippolito writes exciting fantasy novels, but today I’m talking about her newest poetry anthology. She is letting me share one of her poems with you, I’ll tell you how it makes me feel and then Janeen will share background about it in her own words.

Once upon a time

the great clock

broke

and there was no one

to fix it

(so the stories were ever

untold)

What I get out of this poem:

I love this poem for the imagery that it invokes.  I really relate to the concept of feeling broken and not having the energy for writing or anything really. Yes many stories have gone untold.

The not having anyone to fix it, is what I feel like when people tell me to push through or suck it up. It’s not that easy.

clock poem

Image by prettysleepy1 from Pixabay

From the author:

For me, the inspiration for that poem came from trying to deal with emotions. Sometimes when I’m dealing with emotions that are difficult to place, it feels like I’m a broken machine, trying to examine my own innards while being unable to repair them—or voice them. I’m intellectually aware that something isn’t right, but it doesn’t feel like me. It’s frustrating because I’m often attuned to emotions around me, which tend to shove aside my own feelings. I’m still working through acknowledging and figuring out my feelings (therapy is helping).

Janeen-016Janeen Ippolitos beleives you should own your unique words! She writes steampunk fantasy, urban fantasy, and poetry, plus she creates writing resources, including the World Building Made Easy series. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.
Social media links:

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

Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/facebookpagesignup

72119582_2403848079830605_9036844940084117504_o

 

From the back cover:

it is not
an evil
to thunder
shriek
scream lightning
across the sky

A poetry anthology of those who have remained unspoken for too long.

Who have silenced their hearts and souls.
Who want to break free and be heard.

There is healing in the storm and growth in rain-tears.
And always, always a way forward.

No matter what.

Inspiration from Janeen Ippolito’s stories, life experiences, and artistic intake (books/movies/music/art). Includes a link at the end to exclusive, behind-the-scenes inspiration and commentary on various poems.

 

Available on Amazon

Add it on Goodreads

Wish you weren’t here: dive in review

17 Jun 2019 5 Comments

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

iwwc_ji[final2]

Wish You Weren’t Here is the sequel to If Wishes Were Curses by Janeen Ippolito. My review of WYWH shouldn’t contain spoilers for IWWC, but if you haven’t had a chance to read the first book yet, find it here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M743SN8/

———————————————————————————————-

About book two:

I was done with my Jinn ex-boyfriend—but now I’m the only one who can save his life.

WYWH_JIFinalI’m already in enough trouble with my magic going crazy right when I’m opening a storefront for romantic crimes consulting. The last thing I need is interference from Kiran Singh, who failed spectacularly as a boyfriend, and now wants me back with some crappy excuse of helping him track down illegal, dangerous love potions.

Then one of his other exes tries to kill me in a fit of jealous, doped-up rage—and ends up dead herself, with all evidence pointing to Kiran.

My vegetarian vampire mate, Cendric, is convinced Kiran is up to something. But homicide isn’t Kiran’s style, even if he’s starting to show serious psycho-jealousy of his own. Someone else is pulling the strings, and they don’t care how many people die from fake love.

If we can’t track down the real mastermind, my ex is going to disappear.
And not in the way I’d wish. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45451984

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RG8NRGG/

————————————————–

Author Bio Pic for Uploads - FictionJaneen Ippolito writes steampunk fantasy and urban fantasy, and creates writing resources, including the reference book World Building From the Inside Out and the creative writing guide Irresistible World Building For Unforgettable Stories. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito/  

Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/facebookpagesignup

Dive in Review:

In Wish you Weren’t Here, Janeen Ippolito creates a complex interplanetary/inter-dimensional universe. One that not only connects her own works but also draws in the works of other authors. And she does it seamlessly.

Two characters show up about halfway through the book through a portal to another world. Diza and Casimir are from Haladya and Rothana by Sarah Delena White. Another character shows up from Janeen’s older, book Blood Mercy. Both Crosssovers were handled very well giving the borrowed characters more than just a cameo. The borrowed characters were fully included as key players, making them indispensable to the plot.

I have it on good authority that more crossovers are planned for future books. This is unheard of! We can only wait to see what stories future crossovers will connect.

The characters that return from the first book are just as snarky and fun as before. Allis and Cendric have the best chemistry. They bring out the best in each other. I love them together more than when they are apart.

Even the minor characters shine. Cendric has a vampire friend named Akira, he’s French and he can cook and I love him even though he’s only in like two scenes. All future stories should have more Akira.

In the end, Wish you weren’t here is a fun urban fantasy mystery with snarky and sympathetic characters. I highly recommend it.

*I was given an ARC of this book in addition to being a beta reader. All thoughts are my own and are given freely and honestly.*

————————————————————————————————————————–

The Steel City Genie series features snarky urban fantasy with a blue-collar genie, a romantic subplot with heat (nothing graphic), and gleeful send ups of many romantic fantasy tropes, plus otter-shifters and coffee addictions.

The Steel City Genie Series – Best Read in Order!
Book 1 – If Wishes Were Curses: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M743SN8/
Book 2 – Wish You Weren’t Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RG8NRGG/

Cover reveal: Wish You Weren’t Here

06 May 2019 1 Comment

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

iwwc_ji[final2]You may remember a book I featured on the Blog awhile ago, If Wishes Curses.

If you read that book and liked it this is the cover reveal for the sequel. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, it’s free today on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M743SN8/

 

Now, about book two:

I was done with my Jinn ex-boyfriend—but now I’m the only one who can save his life.

I’m already in enough trouble with my magic going crazy right when I’m opening a cover reveal graphicstorefront for romantic crimes consulting. The last thing I need is interference from Kiran Singh, who failed spectacularly as a boyfriend, and now wants me back with some crappy excuse of helping him track down illegal, dangerous love potions.

Then one of his other exes tries to kill me in a fit of jealous, doped-up rage—and ends up dead herself, with all evidence pointing to Kiran.

My vegetarian vampire mate, Cendric, is convinced Kiran is up to something. But homicide isn’t Kiran’s style, even if he’s starting to show serious psycho-jealousy of his own. Someone else is pulling the strings, and they don’t care how many people die from fake love.

If we can’t track down the real mastermind, my ex is going to disappear.
And not in the way I’d wish. 

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The Steel City Genie series features snarky urban fantasy with a blue-collar genie, a romantic subplot with heat (nothing graphic), and gleeful send ups of many romantic fantasy tropes, plus otter-shifters and coffee addictions.

The Steel City Genie Series – Best Read in Order!
Book 1 – If Wishes Were Curses
Book 2 – Wish You Weren’t Here

Preorder Links (99 cent preorder special for limited time)
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RG8NRGG/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45451984
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Author Bio Pic for Uploads - FictionJaneen Ippolito writes steampunk fantasy and urban fantasy, and creates writing resources, including the reference book World Building From the Inside Out and the creative writing guide Irresistible World Building For Unforgettable Stories. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.

Website: https://janeenippolito.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito/  

Email Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/facebookpagesignup

 

Now on to the cover:

WYWH_JIFinal

Amazing right? I am beta reading this right now I am so excited for this book to come out. The release date is June 25 2019.

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Havok Badge

And if you’re looking for more free stuff to read head over to https://gohavok.com/ Where today only I have a short story featured. Havok is a flash fiction press that features a new short story every day. and with each story under one thousand words, there’s plenty of time to read one.

If you head over to check out “The Cover was Blue,”  I’d love to know what you think.

If Wishes Were Curses Blog Tour

09 Feb 2019 3 Comments

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

You’ve seen the cover reveal, now experience the tour!

IWWC Blog Tour Graphic

The urban fantasy about a half Jinn is back on the blog with the official blog tour.

As part of the blog tour am hosting a guest post from author Janeen Ippolito about one of the meaty themes explored in her story.

But first for those who may have forgotten, a refresher on what the book is about.

iwwc_ji[final2]So I accidentally killed a shifter. On purpose.

With genie powers I shouldn’t be able to use, thanks to my curse-mark.

In my defense, the damn grizzly was threatening civilians and might have been a vampire as well. Pittsburgh is safer without him. Only the Fae court doesn’t believe my story, and the shifters are out for blood.

Now I’ve lost my job as a romantic investigator, and I’m on death row. My only hope is an oddly outgoing vegetarian vampire lawyer who seems strangely familiar. Too familiar. 

Almost like we’ve met before, and this whole thing was a set-up to take us both down.

Wishing won’t get us out of this mess.
But my forbidden wish magic just might.

A snarky urban fantasy with a heart, some romance with heat (nothing graphic), and gleeful send ups of many tropes, all wrapped up with an otter-shifter in the bargain.

The book releases February 12, you can preorder it now for just 99 cents:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wishes-Were-Curses-Steel-Genie-ebook/dp/B07M743SN8

Add it to your Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43502789-if-wishes-were-curses

Now it’s time for our Be our Guest post from author Janeen Ippolito:

Trusting When You’ve Been Cursed: Abandonment in If Wishes Were Curses

 When I first started writing If Wishes Were Curses, I knew main character Allis Evanenko had some issues relating to people deeply. But I wasn’t exactly sure why. Yes, her mother died from illness, but I knew Allis had grieved deeply and made peace with that. And Allis was always close to her half-brother Gideon. Their sibling bond is so tight that Gideon left his father’s otter-shifter family to stick with his sister. So why did Allis feel so haunted by this deep sense of loss? As a matchmaker she worked so hard for people to make meaningful connections with each other. Why was she unable to open up and trust others would be there for her?

Then I realized that Allis had been abandoned before she was born. Her Jinn father had abandoned her mostly-human mother as soon as he learned she was pregnant. Allis’s mother never learned the reason why. She just woke up, alone and at the mercy of the Fae court who were very concerned about the possibility of a half-Jinn child. Some of them even strongly urged Allis’s mother to abort the child for the Fae peace of mind. She refused and chose to raise Allis on her own, with much Fae oversight, but little actual support. Moreover, the Fae insisted that Allis receive a curse-mark upon birth, blocking the majority of her magic and disabling her from any meaningful interaction in Fae society.

Quotefancy-5090231-3840x2160

No matter how much Allis’s mother and brother assured her that she was wanted and loved, Allis grew up knowing that she was abandoned by not only her father, but also Fae culture in general. And while she fought for meaning in the church and clung to her brother, she still believed that the only way to survive was to remember that ultimately, she’d be alone. And that it was all her fault, just for existing. Since she could never fix her own problems, she could at least prove herself by fixing relational issues for others. Helping others find true love that works and stopping people from getting into bad relationships—or helping them flee bad relationships—brings her comfort in a way nothing else can. Even if people around her often scoff at her little mission as being “light” and “fluffy” as opposed to people who do “real, serious cop or investigative work.” She takes her work seriously, has a college degree in interpersonal studies, and has devoted herself to figuring out how people work. All while making sure no one knows how alone she feels inside.

Of course, I’m quite terrible to Allis, because in the story she’s arrested, and even her handful of friends appear to desert her. Enter Cendric Atelier, a vampire with a story of abandonment of his own. You’ll have to read the book to learn more about that but sufficed to say that they connect over a deep understanding of what it’s like to be left behind. And that shared experience can turn them into a powerful team—if they can overcome their own insecurities.

Maybe it’s my own extroverted side, but I love writing stories where people must join with others to defeat evil. Ensemble casts rule! And in Allis’s case, one key part of her personal journey is accepting that Cendric is there to stay—and so are her Fae friends.

One major song with this is Piece by Piece by Kelly Clarkson, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwTMz6Nfhjg

 

Janeen-016Janeen Ippolito writes steampunk fantasy and urban fantasy, and creates writing resources, including the reference book World Building From the Inside Out and the creative writing guide Irresistible World Building For Unforgettable Stories. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.

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

 

Cover Reveal: If Wishes Were Curses

09 Jan 2019 1 Comment

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

Happy 2019! Sorry I took such a long break from blogging. But the Holidays wrecked my schedule. I’m back now to ring in the new year with a cover reveal. If Wishes Were Curses by Janeen Ippolito is a new urban fantasy that I can not wait to read.

cover reveal graphicSo I accidentally killed a shifter. On purpose.

With genie powers I shouldn’t be able to use, thanks to my curse-mark.

In my defense, the damn grizzly was threatening civilians and might have been a vampire as well. Pittsburgh is safer without him. Only the Fae court doesn’t believe my story, and the shifters are out for blood.

Now I’ve lost my job as a romantic investigator, and I’m on death row. My only hope is an oddly outgoing vegetarian vampire lawyer who seems strangely familiar. Too familiar.

Almost like we’ve met before, and this whole thing was a set-up to take us both down.

Wishing won’t get us out of this mess.
But my forbidden wish magic just might. 

A snarky urban fantasy with a heart, some heat (nothing graphic), and gleeful send ups of many tropes, all wrapped up with an otter-shifter in the bargain.
___
Preorder (99 cent preorder special for limited time)
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Wishes-Were-Curses-Steel-Genie-ebook/dp/B07M743SN8
Add it to your Goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43502789-if-wishes-were-curses

Janeen-016Janeen Ippolito writes steampunk fantasy and urban fantasy, and creates writing resources, including the reference book World Building From the Inside Out and the creative writing guide Irresistible World Building For Unforgettable Stories. She’s an experienced teacher, editor, author coach, marketer, and is the leader of Uncommon Universes Press, a small traditional science fiction and fantasy publishing house. She’s also the cohost of the podcast Indie Book Magic. In her spare time, Janeen enjoys sword-fighting, reading, pyrography, and eating brownie batter. Two of her goals are eating fried tarantulas and traveling to Antarctica.

Social media links: Website: https://janeenippolito.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitounique/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneenIppolito
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeen_ippolito/  

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Now without further ado. . .

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iwwc_ji[final2]

I love this cover! It is so mysterious and interesting. If the blurb wasn’t enough to make you want to read this then the cover seals the deal right? So when can you get your copy?

iwwcgraphic1-fixed-again

 February 12 that’s when. It’s so close. Pre-order now to make sure you don’t miss out.

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Wishes-Were-Curses-Steel-Genie-ebook/dp/B07M743SN8

And don’t worry I’ll be back next week with more Book reviews, Cover reveals and author interviews. But not all those things in the same post.

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