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Newsletter :: May 2020

Review: Stanley Park by Sapphira Olson

Sapphira Olson's Stanley Park was published by BLAM! Productions in August 2019.

About Sapphira Olson:

Sapphira Olson was born in Bryansk, Russia. Her mother was Russian and her father was an American born in Minnesota. Sapphira emigrated to American when she was still a child, but currently lives in England.

When not writing she loves spending time in the countryside and enjoys watching Audrey Hepburn movies and listening to Dido and Caravan Palace.

Click here to visit her official website.

About Stanley Park:

A sorrow has taken root in my heart, and although it hurts every day I know there is a place where we laugh together under an open sky.
To that sanctuary, I am travelling.
This is that story.

Stanley Park is a collection of 35 poems from Parables author Sapphira Olson charting the story of two lovers through history as they are separated and then reunited all within the island of Stanley Park in Vancouver. Olson weaves a beautiful and poignant narrative through a progression of emotional poetry taking the reader on a journey of hope driven by love.

Incorporating poems inspired by Squamish Nation history & legends, the collection explores themes of immortality, love, loss, the nature of consciousness and culture.

Stanley Park itself is a beautiful 405-hectare public park that borders the downtown of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada and is mostly surrounded by waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay. The park has a long history and was one of the first areas to be explored in the city.

"What shall it profit you if you turn the whole world into a gasometer and lose your own souls?"
Thomas H. Mawson about Stanley Park in his 1912 address to the Canadian Club.

REVIEW: STANLEY PARK BY SAPPHIRA OLSON

Review: Arrow of the Gods by Caractacus Plume

Caractacus Plume's Arrow of the Gods was published by Silvatici Publishing in April 2020.

About Caractacus Plume:

Caractacus Plume is the official biographer of Lyons & Hound Paranormal Investigation Agency (est. 1895). Because of the highly sensitive nature of the Agency's work, some of the names in the upcoming manuscripts have been changed to protect the identities of certain individuals (the author's included).

Click here to visit the author's official website.

About Arrow of the Gods:

London 1907.

Mummies, immortals, long-forgotten gods & a murderous demon marauding through the hallowed halls of the British Museum!

What vile villainy is this?!

Sounds like a job for the paranormal investigation agency of Lyons & Hound (est. 1895).

But the theft of a recently discovered Ancient Egyptian artefact places not only Mr Percival Percy (the legendary "Hound Who Hunts Nightmares") & his dear chum & faithful companion, Professor Cornelius 'Dandy' Lyons, in mortal danger but also threatens to bring about the destruction of all mankind!

REVIEW: ARROW OF THE GODS BY CARACTACUS PLUME

An interview with Barbara Barnett about Alchemy of Glass

Risingshadow has had an opportunity to interview Barbara Barnett about her new novel, Alchemy of Glass, which will be published by PYR in April 2020.

Barbara Barnett
Barbara Barnett

Barbara Barnett is author of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated novel The Apothecary’s Curse. She is also Publisher/Executive Editor of Blogcritics Magazine, an online magazine of pop culture, politics and more, for which she has also contributed nearly 1,000 essays, reviews, and in-depth interviews with writers, actors and producers over the past decade.

Her book on the TV series House, M.D., Chasing Zebras: THE Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. is a critically acclaimed and quintessential guide to the themes, characters and episodes of the hit show.

Read more ...

Alchemy of Glass (The Apothecary's Curse #2) by Barbara Barnett
Alchemy of Glass
The Apothecary's Curse #2
by Barbara Barnett

The Alchemy of Glass weaves a tale magical as spun glass and terrifying as a shattered mirror, drawing upon cutting edge science and the most ancient of Celtic mythology, intertwining the magic of fairy lore and the harsh reality of difficult choices, returning us to the world of immortal apothecary Gaelan Erceldoune, as his past, present and future collide, in an attempt to prevent a catastrophic future.

AN INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA BARNETT ABOUT ALCHEMY OF GLASS

Toni Cox's Second Birthday Deal

Toni Cox’s Second Birthday Deal

14th to 20th April 2020

☆‿➹⁀☆ SALE ☆‿➹⁀☆

 

As it is still my birthday month, I have decided to put another of my books on special. Grab it between the 14th and 20th of April 2020, and dive into some paranormal romance, with mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

 

The Wolf of Ashford Manor

 

You can also grab the prequel to the book here, for FREE.

The Wolf

 

Review: Light of Impossible Stars by Gareth L. Powell

Gareth L. Powell's Light of Impossible Stars was published by Titan Books in February 2020.

Gareth L. Powell
Gareth L. Powell

Gareth L. Powell was born and raised in Bristol, where he still lives, and his early mentors included Diana Wynne Jones and Helen Dunmore. His novels have twice won the BSFA Award, and been finalists for both the Locus Award in the US and the Seiun Award in Japan. He is probably best known for his acclaimed Embers of War space opera series, which includes the novels Embers of War, Fleet of Knives, and Light of Impossible Stars. He is a popular guest and speaker at conventions and literary events, and can often be found on Twitter @garethlpowell giving free advice to aspiring authors.

Click here to visit author official website.

Light of Impossible Stars (Embers of War #3) by Gareth L. Powell
Light of Impossible Stars
Embers of War #3
by Gareth L. Powell

Award-winning author Gareth L. Powell delivers an explosive conclusion to his epic Embers of War trilogy.

Low on fuel and hunted by the Fleet of Knives, the sentient warship Trouble Dog follows a series of clues that lead her to the Intrusion - an area of space where reality itself becomes unstable. But with human civilisation crumbling, what difference can one battered old ship have against an invincible armada?

Meanwhile, Cordelia Pa and her step-brother eke out their existence salvaging artefacts from an alien city. But when Cordelia starts hearing the city's song in her head, strange things start happening around her. What extraordinary affinity does she have for this abandoned technology, and how can it possibly help the Trouble Dog?

REVIEW: LIGHT OF IMPOSSIBLE STARS BY GARETH L. POWELL

Toni Cox: The Epic Fantasy Birthday Deal

Toni Cox:

The Epic Fantasy Birthday Deal

2nd to 8th April 2020

 

 

It is my birthday month and to celebrate I am putting my most popular series on special. Grab it between the 2nd and 8th of April 2020 and dive into some epic fantasy with elves, dragons, and magic to make you forget your quarantine blues.

 

Elemental Rising at $ 2.99 - $ 0.99

Elemental Betrayal at $ 3.99 - $ 1.99

Forbidden Elemental at $ 4.99 - $ 2.99

 

Trilogy link: Amazon

 

 

New Releases

The Land of the Undying Lord (The Infinite World #1)
The Land of the Undying Lord
(The Infinite World #1) by J.T. Wright
April 15, 2020 | fantasy

The Infinite World, ever-changing and ever growing. New nations and races rose and fell almost daily. New Classes were discovered, as old ways were lost. Monsters and beasts roamed the earth and were slain by soldiers and adventurers who were in turn killed by stronger threats. Heroes and villains created new epics and were forgotten when their successors appeared. This was the way of the Infinite World.

Summoned into this chaotic place, a young boy with no name and no past must learn to survive. Bound to a master who doesn't care whether he lives or dies, he must become stronger. The question is how? Do the people around him value him for who he is or merely for what he represents? The world holds endless possibilities, only time will tell what the future holds for the boy.

P.S. It should also be known that my 70 year old, retired elementary school librarian mother, thought there was an excessive amount of strong language in this book. Reader beware! However I was not ashamed to let my mother read this book.

A Bond Broken (The Infinite World #2)
A Bond Broken
(The Infinite World #2) by J.T. Wright
April 30, 2020 | fantasy

Having experienced his first survival type Trial, Trent Embra is eager to explore what else the world has to offer. There is only one problem. Not everyone comes away from a month of constant fighting untouched. Trent's friend, Tersa is unhinged by her time in the Land of the Undying Lord, and Sergeant Cullen means to see her fixed. Trent, enlisted to help, is dragged towards another Trial, mostly willingly. Only time will tell if Tersa still has a place in the Guard, and what the Infinite World has in store for Trent.

So This Is Love (Twisted Tales #9)
So This Is Love
(Twisted Tales #9) by Elizabeth Lim
April 7, 2020 | fantasy, young adult

What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? Unable to prove that she's the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella attempts a fresh start, looking for work at the palace as a seamstress. But when the Grand Duke appoints her to serve under the king's visiting sister, Cinderella becomes witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king - and the prince - out of power, as well as a longstanding prejudice against fairies, including Cinderella's own Fairy Godmother. Faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom, Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present... before it's too late.

If It Bleeds
If It Bleeds
by Stephen King
April 21, 2020 | horror, short stories

A collection of four uniquely wonderful long stories, including a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestseller THE OUTSIDER.

News people have a saying: 'If it bleeds, it leads'. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin.

Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog - and on her own need to be more assertive - when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realises there is something not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins 'If It Bleeds', a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestselling THE OUTSIDER featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case - and also the riveting title story in Stephen King's brilliant new collection.

Dancing alongside are three more wonderful long stories from this 'formidably versatile author' (The Sunday Times) - 'Mr Harrigan's Phone', 'The Life of Chuck' and 'Rat'. All four display the richness of King's storytelling with grace, humour, horror and breathtaking suspense. A fascinating Author's Note gives us a wonderful insight into the origin of each story and the writer's unparalleled imagination

My Ex-Wife Said Go to Hell (Immortal Divorce Court #1)
My Ex-Wife Said Go to Hell
(Immortal Divorce Court #1) by Kirk Zurosky
April, 2020 | fantasy > urban fantasy, romance > urban fantasy > paranormal romance

Sirius Sinister keeps sleeping with the wrong women. And this time, it's led to his imprisonment in Hell. Literal Hell.

Immortal vampire assassin Sirius Sinister has a healthy libido that constantly results in bad relationship decisions. But when he's served divorce papers by Bloodsucker Number One - a shady woman from his past - he realizes there's a major problem: he was never even married to her, or so he thought. Regardless of the truth, Sirius is put under the jurisdiction of Immortal Divorce Court.

You would think by now he'd know having sex can lead to horrific consequences like marriage, children, and ex-wives - but some habits just won't die. Leaving his faithful vampire Maltese, Garlic, behind, Sirius travels to court to defend himself with the help of his demon attorney, Maximillian Justice. Unfortunately, the trial quickly spirals out of control, and Sirius is banished to hell for a hundred years.

When Sirius finally escapes, he ends up in the Caribbean where he meets his next paramour: the Howler. After a wild romp with his new werewolf lover under the lure of a full blood moon, he finds himself becoming the father of a litter of pups - but, the Howler and her Pack want to put the dead in deadbeat dad. Luckily, Sirius is saved by the Queen of the Merfolk, who comes with a hidden agenda even as they fall in love. Can he make it work with the Queen, or will he have to head to Immortal Divorce Court once again as yet another relationship flounders?

For all those who have nursed a broken heart - or a vengeful one - Immortal Divorce Court Volume 1 is a sexy, exciting debut and the start of a hellishly fun new series about the flawed antihero Sirius Sinister.

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Coming This Month

Gargantis (The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #2)
Gargantis
(The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #2) by Thomas Taylor
May 7, 2020 | fantasy, young adult

There's a storm raging in Eerie-on-Sea. Has the mighty Gargantis come back from the deep...?

When an ancient bottle is found washed up on the beach after a ferocious electrical storm, all the residents of Eerie-on-Sea seem to want it... but should they in fact fear it? Legend has it that the bottle contains an extraordinary secret that spells doom for the whole of Eerie-on-Sea. Could it be true that the vast sea creature Gargantis has awoken from her slumbers, and is causing the large cracks that are appearing all across the town? Finding themselves entrusted with the bottle, Herbie and Violet discover they will need to ride the terrible storm and pacify the creature if they want to save Eerie-on-Sea from sliding into the ocean and being lost for ever.

Shadow Flight (Shadow Riders #5)
Shadow Flight
(Shadow Riders #5) by Christine Feehan
May 5, 2020 | fantasy > urban fantasy, romance > urban fantasy > paranormal romance

Chicago's Ferraro crime family will do anything to protect one of their own in this thrilling entry in the Shadow Riders series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Nicoletta Gomez was a terrified teenager when Taviano Ferraro and his brother saved her life. Ever since, she's been trying to rise above what was done to her, molding herself into a survivor under the protective eyes of the Ferraro family. All the while, she's been falling hopelessly in love with the man who knows her darkest secrets....

With one look, Taviano knew that Nicoletta was his, just as he felt their shadows connect. But no matter how much he wanted to claim her, he knew she needed time to become her own woman. But when Nicoletta once again finds herself in the sights of dangerous men, a split second decision has Taviano breaking all of the Ferraro family's rules to keep her safe. And as far as he's concerned, the reward is more than worth the risk.

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)
Network Effect
(The Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells
May 5, 2020 | science fiction

The first full-length novel in Martha Wells' New York Times and USA Today bestselling Murderbot Diaries series.

"I caught myself rereading my favorite parts... and I can’t recommend it enough." ― New York Times

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

Age of Empyre (The Legends of the First Empire #6)
Age of Empyre
(The Legends of the First Empire #6) by Michael J. Sullivan
May 5, 2020 | fantasy > high fantasy

A door opens. An army of dragons advance. And the fate of the living rests with the dead.

After obtaining the secret to creating dragons, the leader of the Fhrey has turned the tide of war once more - but gaining the advantage has come at a terrible price. While Imaly plots to overthrow the fane for transgressions against his people, a mystic and a keeper are the only hope for the Rhunes. Time is short, and the future of both races hangs in the balance. In this exciting conclusion to the Legends of the First Empire series, the Great War finally comes to a climactic end, and with it dawns a new era in the Age of Empyre.

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Michael J. Sullivan comes the concluding installment of his six-book epic fantasy. This series chronicles a pivotal point in Elan's history when humans and those they once saw as gods warred until a new world order was born. Set three thousand years before the Riyria tales, Legends is a standalone fantasy series that is independent of the Riyria novels. But for those who do read both series, Legends will unmask lies and reveal the truth about Elan's history and the men and women who shaped what the world became.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0.5)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
(The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
May 19, 2020 | science fiction > dystopia, young adult > dystopia

A prequel novel.

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

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