Balance of November, 2015

During the month of November, 2015, I reviewed the following:

Books:

- "Oath of Brothers" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Azurite" by Megan Dent Nagle. Read my review.
- "A Dream of Mortals" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Otherworld" by Evan Ronan. Read my review.
- "A Joust of Knights" by Morgan rice. Read my review.

Book "A Joust of Knights" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A JOUST OF KNIGHTS, Thorgrin and his brothers follow Guwayne’s trail at sea, pursuing him to the Isle of Light. But as they reach the ravaged isle and the dying Ragon, all may be just too late.

Darius finds himself brought to the Empire capital, and to the greatest arena of them all. He is trained by a mysterious man who is determined to forge him into a warrior, and to help him survive the impossible. But the capital arena is unlike anything Darius has seen, and its formidable foes may be too intense for even he to conquer.

Gwendolyn is pulled into the heart of the family dynamics of the royal court of the Ridge, as the King and Queen beg her for a favor. On a quest to unearth secrets that can change the very future of the Ridge and save Thorgrin and Guwayne, Gwen is shocked by what she discovers as she digs too deep.

Erec and Alistair’s bonds deepen as they sail further upriver, into the heart of the Empire, determined to find Volusia and save Gwendolyn—while Godfrey and his crew wreak havoc within Volusia, determined to avenge their friends. And Volusia herself learns what it means to rule the Empire, as she finds her precarious capital embattled from all sides.

With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A JOUST OF KNIGHTS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thor continues his search for Guwayne going with his brothers in arm into the Land of Blood. Darius has to fight for survival at the Empire's capital arena, for entertainment of the empire population of the city. Now he is trained by a mysterious man. Gwendolyn receives a special request from the king of the Ridge. Argon regains conscience. Erec and Alistar struggle to escape the Empire fleet and they go towards the city of Volusia. Godfrey, as usual, is in trouble, but now he learns to live by honor. And Volusia is in the capital of the Empire, defying everyone in a trial to become the Supreme Empress of the Empire. Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. 

Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Otherworld" by Evan Ronan

About the Book: Aoife Finley is bursting at the seams with creativity. No one daydreams better than her and her imagination knows no bounds.

Mr. Peterson is old, his best days long behind him. He yearns for the past, mistrusts the present, and fears the future. But he's just figured out how to recapture his past:

By stealing other people's imaginations.

Armed with only her creativity, imaginary friends, and a few bickering classmates, Aoife embarks on an amazing, but dangerous journey into the otherworld that she created, a place that is slipping more and more out of her control and into Mr. Peterson’s, before the real world as she knows it—and as it could be—disappears forever.

OtherWorld is a YA fantasy adventure about the power of the imagination and how anything is possible. It is 80,000 words long and Evan Ronan’s first (but hopefully not last) YA novel.

About the Author: Evan Ronan is the author of The Unearthed, a paranormal thriller series that gives readers a little bit of everything: mystery, horror, suspense, action, and deadpan humor. Featuring protagonist Eddie McCloskey, a complex character looking for redemption, readers have said:

"This is an awesome series of books."

"So many twists and turns."

"I just couldn't put it down."

"Two days to read all five books."

"Deserves more than five stars."

"Great pacing, sympathetic characters, and a twisty plot."

In these books, Evan explores that daunting grey area where reason intersects with superstition. There is nothing more terrifying than the unknown...

Evan also loves historical fiction and with fellow author Nathanael Green writes The Tomahawk and Saber series. Set in the Pennsylvania Colony in the days of the French and Indian War, these books are good old-fashioned, character-driven adventure stories where cultures clash and life is nasty, brutish, and often short. The first in the series is called Language of the Bear.

But that's not all...

Evan enjoys writing in many other genres as well and is hard at work on another series and several standalone novels. If he's not writing, it means he's probably at work thinking about writing, or playing make-believe with his daughters, or trying to break 80 on the golf course, or making a dent in his impossibly tall To Be Read pile, or forgetting to take out the trash. (Sorry, babe!)

Evan has worked as a drycleaner, waiter, salesman, magazine editor, painter, consultant, and attorney. But his favorite job is being a dad. One of these days he'll tend bar, so he can be like every other writer ever. He and his family live in New Jersey (Exit 4, before you ask), in the same town Eddie McCloskey grew up in.

To get a FREE BOOK, hear about new and upcoming releases, and receive special offers on Evan's books, sign up for his Newsletter:

http://ronaniswriting.blogspot.com/p/mailing-list.html

You can contact Evan at ronaniswriting@gmail.com or on his website, ronaniswriting.blogspot.com.

My Review: In this time when all authors are only thinking about writing endless series, it is very nice to read a book that has a beginning, a middle and an end.

The author did an amazing job creating a set of characters that were very well built and in special our heroine, Aoife. She is an amazing girl, with an incredible imagination. All her friends (Al, lady in green, etc..) are trying to help her to save her imaginary world to collapse in its interaction with the real world. Joining this group are some of her classmates from school. The plot is very well constructed and the story develops in a nice pace. At the end we stay cheering for Aoife and her group to achieve their goal, through loyalty and friendship.

More than a young adult novel, this book will satisfy readers from all ages.

I received an electronic copy of the book from the author, but I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own. 

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Dream of Mortals" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A DREAM OF MORTALS, Thorgrin and his brothers struggle to break free from the grips of the pirates, and to continue their search for Guwayne at sea. As they encounter unexpected friends and foes, magic and weaponry, dragons and men, it will change the very course of their destiny. Will they finally find Guwayne?

Darius and his few friends survive the massacre of their people—but only to find that they are captives, thrown into the Empire Arena. Shackled together, facing unimaginable opponents, their only hope for survival is to stand and fight together, as brothers.

Gwendolyn wakes from her slumber to discover that she and the others have survived their trek across the Great Waste—and even more shocking, that they have come to a land beyond their wildest imagination. As they are brought into a new royal court, the secrets Gwendolyn learns about her ancestors and her own people will change her destiny forever.

Erec and Alistair, still captive at sea, struggle to break free from the grips of the Empire fleet in a bold and daring nighttime escape. When odds seem at their worst, they receive an unexpected surprise that might just give them a second chance for victory—and another chance to continue their attack on the heart of the Empire.

Godfrey and his crew, imprisoned once again, set to be executed, have one last chance to try to escape. After being betrayed, they want more than escape this time—they want vengeance.

Volusia is surrounded on all sides as she strives to take and hold the Empire capital—and she will have to summon a more powerful magic than she’s ever known if she is to prove herself a Goddess, and become Supreme Ruler of the Empire. Once again, the fate of the Empire hangs in the balance.

With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A DREAM OF MORTALS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thor continues his search for Guwayne while Darius has to fight for survival at the Volusia arena, for entertainment of the empire population of the city. Gwendolyn finds the Second Ring, but loses most of her people on internal conflicts. Erec and Alistar struggle to escape the Empire fleet and at the end they receive an unexpected help. Godfrey, as usual, is in trouble, but also receive a help after escaping prison with his friends and revenging the betrayal of dome finisan authorities. And Volusia is in the capital of the Empire, defying everyone in a trial to become the Supreme Empress of the Empire.   

Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

 If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Azurite" by Megan Dent Nagle

About the Book: There is magic in the earth.

It is a volatile force, forged from the energy of our planet’s birth and instilled into the spirit of every living being. It is what binds the world together–constant and unchanging, simply existing, unable to be created or destroyed.

Our progenitors named it Ithillium.

In the beginning, there were those who could maneuver Ithillium–sorcerers who Bonded to it. Used it. But now their legacy only survives by the grace of their legends. There are those who believe sorcerers still exist, but fear of persecution subdues them into silence.

And there are those, the anomalies, who are ignorant to the truth, but by their very existence prove what should have been told from the beginning. The last heir to the Samarian throne, Zora Winnser, is one of these people.

Resented by her Queen mother and denied her right of ascension by an archaic law, Zora is exiled to Cara, the southern most country in the Realm. It is these trials, and the appearance of an unlikely companion, that forces Zora to face the truth about herself, her abilities, and the world as she knows it.

Back home, an ancient foe looms on Samaria’s horizon, threatening to exploit the very heart of their wealth–the mines.

Embittered with secrets of her own, Queen Evangeline foolishly leads Samaria into certain demise, through a war they cannot win. Throughout the country mutiny is unleashed, loyalties are tested, and all faith in Evangeline is lost.

In order to combat the evil invading her country, Zora must embrace her new identity as a wielder of Ithillium. But in a world where history is rewritten to accommodate an ideal, where lies become truth and truth become lies, will her country accept her back for what she was? Or hate her for what she has become.

About the Author: She is originally from Hollywood, FL, so she grew up near the beach and the Everglades. She is a graduate of FAU (GO OWLS!) and have a degree in business and accounting.
Her passions are reading and writing. She is kind of a health nut and love eating healthy and working out.
She is a Christian and all the glory goes to God above.
She just published her fist book, Azurite. It's a new adult fantasy novel and the first in a series, Daughter of the Mountain.
Check it out!

Her favorite books are: Interview with the Vampire, Wuthering Heights, and anything by Edgar Allen Poe.

My Review: This is an amazing beginning of a series by this very talented young author. The plot is rich, full of politic intrigues, battles, betrayal, sorcery. The characters are well constructed and very much enjoyable. The world she created is described in details and we feel like we are living the story together with our heroine.
We cheer for Zora at every turn of pages. Evangelina, the Evil Queen of the story, is easy to dislike. Her greedy for power and eternal life are ingredients for trouble. Zora is her daughter, but she is despised by her mother. Although loved by the people of Samaria, Zora will not succeed her mother, if that depends on Evangelina's will. Zora is exiled and with the help of a warden, begins to learn the power of bonding with Ithillium, a kind of energy force that flows from the spirit of every living being. While Zora is in exile, Evangelina makes a deal with the worst enemy of Samaria and things go from bad to worst.
This book has all the ingredients to be an instant success. Excellent plot, a dose of romance, and a lot of action. Kudos to the author in her first book! I hope the second book will not take long to be released!
I received a copy of this book for reviewing, but I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own.

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment

Book "Oath of Brothers" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In AN OATH OF BROTHERS, Thorgrin and his brothers emerge from the land of the dead, more driven than ever to find Guwayne, and set sail across a hostile sea, leading them to places beyond their wildest dreams. As they come ever-closer to finding Guwayne, they also encounter obstacles unlike ever before, obstacles which will test them to their very limits, which will call on all their training and force them to stand together as one, as brothers. Darius stands up to the Empire, boldly waging a guerilla war, amassing an army, as one freed slave village after the next rallies to his cause. Facing off against fortified cities, against an army a thousand times his size, he summons all of his instincts and courage, determined to survive, determined to win, to strive for freedom at any cost, even at the cost of his life. Gwendolyn, with no other choice, leads her people into the Great Waste, deeper into the Empire than anyone has ever journeyed, on a quest to find the legendary Second Ring-the last hope for the survival of her people, and the last hope for Darius. Yet along the way she will encounter horrific monsters, worse landscapes, and an insurrection from amidst her own people that even she may not be able to stop. Erec and Alistair sail for the Empire to save their people, and along the way stop at hidden islands, determined to raise an army-even if it means dealing with mercenaries of questionable repute. Godfrey finds himself deep inside the city of Volusia and deep in trouble as his plan goes from bad to worse. Imprisoned, set to be executed, finally, even he can see no way out. Volusia forges a pact with the darkest of sorcerers, and driven to even greater heights, she continues her ascent, conquering all who stand in her way. More powerful than ever, she will take her war all the way to the steps of the Empire Capital-until she is up against the entire Empire army, an army that dwarfs even her own, setting the stage for an epic battle. Will Thorgrin find Guwayne? Will Gwendolyn and her people survive? Will Godfrey escape? Will Erec and Alistair reach the Empire? Will Volusia become the next Empress? Will Darius lead his people to victory? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, AN OATH OF BROTHERS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thorgrin leaves the Land of the Dead with his companions, but one of them decided to stay behind. When they leave, some demons are also released with them. they continue their search for Guwayne and they reach very close to find him. In the meantime, Darius start to build an army by freeing one village at a time from the power of the Empire. Gwendolyn goes with her people to the Great Waste, trying to find the legendary Second Ring, looking for help. Erec and Alistair depart from the South Isles and try to raise an army with the help of mercenaries. Godfrey is fighting for survival inside the city of Volusia. And Volusia wants to become the next Empress and marches toward the capital of the Empire to face all the Empire army.

Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

 If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.