Hallows/Halloween is nearly upon us, and this looks like a great weekend for reading paranormal books. Fantasy Fiction writers are welcome to add their book cover, tagline, and one link to their clean (G or PG rated only, please) fantasy book in the comment section. Then please share!
I'll start things off with SPELL CHECK, Book 1, The Teen Wytche Saga.
Two girls, one boy, and a spell book...what could possibly go wrong?
On Saturday, I was the lone half-Viking/half-fairy
(impersonating Talfryn from The Beltane
Escape) in a convention hall packed with people embodying Poison Ivy, Storm,
Superman, Batman, and various other beings from Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and
The Walking Dead, etc. I owed my appearance at the inaugural Comic Con Palm
Springs to Bob Gibbs, Community Relations Manager, at Barnes & Noble Palm
Desert.
I met only a handful of people
who, like me, had never attended a Comic Con before. Most of the people I spoke
with were San Diego Comic Con regulars, and they all had high praise for the
Palm Springs event. Most were from Los Angeles and other southern California
cities.
2.Comic
Con attracts a wide demographic.
Families with babies, young
children and pre-teens were out in force, along with teens, and every age up to
92 if you count Stan Lee. No single gender, ethnicity, or age group dominated.
Comic Con Palm Springs was a true melting pot.
3.Photo
opportunities abound.
People dressed to be seen and
photographed. Barnes and Noble had secured an end booth located on a pedestrian
intersection. A steady stream, and in the case of poor Pikachu—a mob—gathered
to photograph and meet an amazing array of costumed folk. For the most part, conventioneers were very respectful, and asked permission before photographing. I felt like a Disney
princess whenever children reacted with happy surprise when they saw me, a
benign little fairy with purple and blue hair. I was the least scary costumed
person
at Comic Con. An unfortunate zombie stampede
proved way to scary for
some children.
Comic Con Palm Springs has made me a convert. I look forward
to next year’s event.
Thank you, Bob, Brian, Marisol, and Brooke, at Barnes and
Noble, Palm Desert, for your kind and generous support!
Copyright 2016 Ariella Moon
For more Comic Con Palm Springs photos, follow Ariella Moon online:
Spell Check, Book One: The Teen Wytche Saga, and The Beltane Escape, Book One: The Two Realms Trilogy Both by Ariella Moon
The thermometer will climb into the triple digits all this week in the Coachella Valley. So of course, I dream of sitting poolside or at the beach, and reading. Instead, I am locked in my writing cave, finishing the first draft of The Viking Mist, Book Two: The Two Realms Trilogy.
Book Signings!
Saturday, June 4, will find me signing and selling books at the 2016 Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California, where the anticipated high temperature will be a perfect 76 degrees Fahrenheit. I will be at the SF Area Romance Writers of America booth from 1:30-3:30. Please stop by! We will be on "Writer's Row."
For my SoCal fans and friends, you can catch me at the Westfield Mall on June 11 signing books atBarnes & Noble Palm Desert at 10:00 AM for B-Fest, Teen Book Festival.
Stop by and discover two intriguing paranormal Young Adult series. Let the summer reading begin!
February is the month for Young Adult Fantasy books!
In addition to The Beltane Escape by Ariella Moon on February 2, J.N. Tomczak's upcoming
Kingdom of the Faeries: Edenhart's Rivalry will release on Feb. 11th, 2016.
Blurb:
A dark power is rising, and a kingdom is in dire need of a leader when the King of the Faeries
falls in battle. Or so, that’s what they’re led to believe, but his only heir and daughter, Aurora, suspects murder.
But when she and her loyal friend Percy, the Captain of the Elite Guard, discover an ancient prophecy foretold by the enigmatic Faerie Sorcerers, Aurora finds herself an unwilling pawn
in a dark plot that will threaten everything she holds dear.
Her courage and magic will be her greatest weapons if she hopes to succeed where all others
have failed. But will she? Aurora must ask herself this very question: just how far is she
willing to go to save her kingdom, and at what costs?
Author Bio:
Julianne grew up on a small farm in central Arkansas and now lives in Tucson,
Arizona with her husband. When not writing, Julianne loves playing video games, listening to music, hiking, and
binge-watching Falling Skies while eating
non-nutritional food.
Charlene A.Wilson returns to my blog today with a new release, The Transformation of Anna.
Be sure to enter her Tour Wide Giveaway (below) for the chance to win a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card.
The Transformation
of Anna
Cornerstone Deep book
one
Audio Edition
For centuries, Cole Shilo has mourned the loss of his wife,
Mianna, and drowned himself in his work as Head Sentinel of Cornerstone Deep.
But when he is sent to harvest a second-class woman who has broken curfew,
her soul calls out to him. His response couldn't have been worst timed.
The Lords and the Gods are not happy.
Rebirth isn't possible on Cornerstone Deep…
Is it?
“My life is a
mirage of endless time. But you engulf me, rivet my mind, encompass my soul.”
“The Transformation of Anna is first-rate fantasy, with a
healthy dose of romance added in. Wilson has created a plausible,
multi-dimensional world complete with gods, mythologies, and engaging
characters. The world Wilson has created in The Transformation of Anna is
complex, but infinitely and easily accessible to the reader. It's quite an
amazing and impressive work with lots of action and adventure, heroic
characters, and an elegant and satisfying romance.”—Jack Mangus, Readers’
Favorite
"The Transformation of Anna by Charlene A. Wilson is a
beautifully stunning and deeply touching story of the darkest of treachery, the
rebirth of lost love, and the discovery of hidden secrets. Being left
absolutely breathless and deeply astonished after reading such an extraordinary
story is a new experience for me. I am anything but disappointed in this
superbly enchanting and endearingly exhilarating tale of deeply true and
lasting love. My heart was captured and lost to this spellbinding
journey!"—Amber McCallister, The Wonderings of One Person.
Cole unstopped the slender vial and gently lifted
Anna’s head to administer the potion. As he carefully tipped the container to
her lips, tremors traveled down his forearms. His hands quaked. The amber
liquid jumped to the brim and he quickly tilted it upright. Gods, Cole,
control yourself. She needs every drop.
A soft palm rested on his wrist and Cole’s gaze shot to
Elaina’s. When had she returned and how did he not pick up on the strong
compassion emitting from her when she had? Her blue eyes looked deep into his,
understanding with a touch of sadness. “Let me do that, Cole. You’ve been
through enough.”
He wasn’t sure if the tremors were from anticipating a
fortunate outcome or from sheer anxiety over the whole ordeal, but he accepted
her tender attention as a blessing. Vincent’s intervention with her was
evident. He watched as she patiently poured small measures into Anna’s mouth.
Elaina turned to Cole and lifted the emptied container.
“Well, that’s it. She got it all.”
He sighed. “Thank you.”
“Anything, Cole.” She smiled and set the vial on the bed
stand. “What about you? Can I get you a drink? It might calm you some.”
Nodding, he offered a small smile.
“Good, then. I’ll be right back.”
As she closed the door behind her, Cole eased himself onto
the bed. “Don’t give up, Anna.” His faint words were swallowed by the silence
of the room. “I’ll fix this and see to it nothing ever happens to you again.”
Brushing his fingertips over her hair, he solemnly whispered a plea. “Don’t
leave me.”
Her soft locks sent countless memories rushing through his
mind—her smile, cheeky comments, blue eyes dancing as if life itself was a
game. Her Arylinite spirit embraced every moment of love, able to see beneath
façades that others deemed as truth. He sighed, knowing that side of her may
have been unique to that lifetime—a result of her specialized upbringing in the
Arylin colony of the northern territory.
He tilted his head and gazed over her still face. Her
features were remarkably similar to Mianna’s. The gentle slope of her nose, the
way she chose to wear her dark hair long, and he couldn’t deny her blue eyes
when she’d looked at him. He cupped her cheek with his hand, gently stroking
her lips with his thumb. They curved from a bow-tie center into a natural
smile. So soft. Inviting. He leaned to her and lightly kissed them, then leaned
his cheek to hers.
“Talk to me, Anna.” His breath was a plea. As much as he
knew no answer would come, his heart called to her with his deepest wish.
He brushed his fingers down her neck to her chest, tenderly
caressing her pale skin at the neckline of her gown. A strained pause caught
his throat as he lightly followed her breast to her ribcage. “What’s in your
heart?”
The tiny circles he drew on the thin fabric fed his longing
for her touch. Supple creases followed his motion. To have her arms around him,
the love they brought, had given him unmitigated comfort in a past life. It
could be so again.
“My life was yours.” He kissed the circles he created.
“Every moment, I found joy in you.”
He looked at her closed eyes. “Please, don’t leave me.
Please promise you’ll be mine again.”
No emotion showed upon the visage of his love, but distant
echoes of vows lighted his soul.
“Open to me.” He wondered if his whispered thought
could possibly reach her unconscious mind. “Speak to me with your soul.”
Her lips parted and a chill flew through him. He waited,
listened intently. Weak sensations touched his senses. “Anna,” he said aloud,
hope rising. He cupped his palm to her cheek again. “Fight for it. Call to me.”
Anna remained silent.
Cole’s heart ached. Yet, that small reaction spurred his
resolve. He framed her face as he lowered to take her lips with his. “I’ll help
you.”
The scent of licorice and cream fell from his lips as he
called on his Breath of Zephyr. His soul’s voice owned his words. “My life is a
mirage of endless time. But you engulf me, rivet my mind, encompass my soul.”
She inhaled his sensual gift and gasped for deeper intake.
Yes. Hope impossibly filled him. His muscles
tightened with expectation. His heart pounded against his chest. “Call to
me!”
Charlene
A. Wilson is an author of tales that take you to other dimensions.
She weaves magic, lasting love, and intrigue to immerse you into the lives of
her characters.
She began writing in her early teens when her vivid dreams
stayed with her long after she had them. The characters and worlds were so
amazing she brought them to life through her books.
Charlene resides in a small community in Arkansas, USA, with
her two beautiful daughters, husband, a cuddly Pekingese, and a very chatty
cockatiel named Todder.
I fell in love with this title when fellow Clean Reads author Nancy Brandt
first showed a promo picture of a piglet wearing a tiara.
If you love magic, historical romances, and alternate kingdoms, you'll love
Pigsty Princess
By Nancy S. Brandt
Back
Cover Blurb:
In a country where Elemental Sensitivities determine
a person's place in society, Mariana, fourth child of King Jonathan and Queen
Alexandria, was born an Insensitive. She is given the made up title of
Progenna, because she can't be in line for the throne and therefore, can't be a
Princess. All her life, she is reminded that she isn't quite good enough. When
her father decides she is to marry Pir Leo Valentine, an eighty-four year old
man with a scar across his face that took his eye and only one hand, she runs
away from the palace.
Orlando of Talla is a pig farmer and former soldier who served the King until
he watched his Sovereign burn an entire harbor town rather than lose a battle.
Now he tries to live a quiet life while leading a band a rebels who steal from
the nobility to bring prisoners home from that war.
Orlando is also the bastard son of a nobleman, and therefore, he has a
Sensitivity, one of Blood that allows him to feel the Sensitivities of
others.
He finds the injured Progenna in the forest and immediately realizes that the
stories about Mariana aren't true. Rather than being an Insensitive, Mariana
may be the most powerful Sensitive in Valborough.
Excerpt:
Mariana sniffled. “He said I was a
commoner, and that I’m not Father’s daughter by blood.”
Ramone
sighed and shook his head. “Gossip only. Not even worthy of the servants, and
for it to come out of the mouth of a Rieravo and a Presumptive…I am surprised
he would suggest that out
loud to you.”
She
adjusted herself so she was off her brother’s lap and faced him. “Ramone, what
if what Darius said is right? What if Father isn’t…my father? No nobleman will
ever want to marry me if
that’s true.”
“First
of all, it’s not true, and second, even if it were, Father has claimed you as
his daughter. He will take care of you.”
It
didn’t make her feel any better.
“You
mean he’ll force someone into marrying me.” She got off the loveseat and went
over to sit at her mother’s writing desk. Picking up one of the quills, she
glanced at her brother in the mirror.
“It
might not be like that,” he said after a moment of silence. “There must be some
man who doesn’t care about bonding. Someone who will be content with having
only his own magic.”
She
spun around to stare at him. “Name one person you have ever heard of, male or
female, who was willing to throw away the potential power of their
Sensitivities to bond to someone with nothing. What do your history and peerage
books say about that?”
He
said nothing, but he didn’t meet her eyes.
Mariana
nodded. “Just as I thought. I was stupid to think being a Proge…the daughter of
the King would be enough. No one with any Sensitivities wants to wed someone
they can’t bond with. I
wish Mother and Father would have prepared me for this.”
“What
could they have done, Mariana?” He walked over to her and, taking her hands,
brought her to her feet. “You are special, one of a kind. You are my beautiful
baby sister.”
“But
I’m not like the rest of you. Father and Mother are strong Sensitives. By
definition, Father is the strongest in the kingdom. You, Liliana, and Ursula
have sensitivities in three areas.. Me? You know what the Abilities Master said
when I finished my testing.”
“It
doesn’t matter.”
“Do
you remember? Father came out of his meeting with Kylan and said, ‘It is as we
thought.’ Mother cried.”
He
took her in his arms. “She loves you. She was crying because she knew your life
would be harder because of this.”
“Was
that it?” she asked. “Did Mother cry because I don’t have any Sensitivities or
because Father found out about my true parentage? I have to know if I am a
Princess in truth or just the result
of some mistake Mother made.”
Author
Bio:
Nancy S. Brandt is a stay-at-home mother of two
children, a daughter, 25, who is an appointment's clerk at an orthopedic clinic
and an editor and book reviewer; and a son, 12, who studies karate, and wants
to be either an historian or an artist. Nancy's husband, Steven, is also an
author and an adjunct professor of computer science at Louisiana State
University.
In about sixth grade, an English teacher gave an assignment to write a
descriptive essay. Nancy's was all about a wonderful cave filled with diamonds,
emeralds and other precious gems. From that experience, she walked into every
English class hoping to get to write something, and she learned three things:
1. The difference between stalactite and stalagmite,
2. That fantasy was probably the genre she should concentrate on, and
3. Never end a story with "It was all a dream."
Nancy is a kidney transplant recipient (her husband was her living donor), a
thyroid cancer survivor, and an Army veteran. She is currently working on the
sequel to Pigsty Princess, called Questionable Queen.
.jpg)
