Book Review: Once Stolen (The Treacherous Tides #1) – D.N. Bryn

On Jul 28, 2021Jul 28, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, LGBTQIA, Review, Self-Published, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be reviewing Once Stolen by D.N. Bryn. A steampunk-inspired world? Mer-snake/Nagas? And that cover…? To be honest, I was sold on this book the moment the author reached out to see if I would like to review it – and they were kind enough to send me a physical copy. I’d heard of Our Bloody Pearl which is the author’s previous book in this world, although they can be read separately – and it is on the TBR – and the sample and premise was more than a little intriguing and I wasn’t disappointed!

*Disclaimer: ‘I was given a copy this book in exchange for an honest review, all views are my own.’*

Book Summary:

No one with half a brain would rob the jungle’s most notorious energy cartel. The vibrations of their power-producing stones are the only thing that calms the mer-snake Cacao’s agonizing sensory condition though—and after being banished from his homeland swamps for similar thefts, he’s desperate.

When his attempt fails stunningly, a chaotic escape leaves him chained to a cartel prisoner: a self-proclaimed hero with a hidden stash of ignits so large, Cacao would never need to steal again. He’s determined to get his hands on it, even if it means guiding her home straight through the mist-laden and monster-filled swamp that exhaled him, with scheming poachers and a desperate cartel leader on their tail.

But the selfish and the self-righteous can only flee together for so long before something snaps…

Return to Our Bloody Pearl’s steampunk-inspired world of merfolk in this fun, fast-paced adventure with a hate-to-love romance, a boat-load of sass, and even more heart.

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Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week: Twenty Books to add to Your TBR

On Jul 23, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

Life (or rather work) has well and truly derailed my plans for this week, so I will be extending ‘Self-published Authors Appreciation Week’ on the blog to two weeks, so that I can finish up the reviews and share them – and some more fantastic self-published books with you. However, for now here is the final post for this week (so I can use the weekend – all one day of it that I get to rest, and try and catch up), and I have twenty (one) books just to add a little more to those teetering TBRs.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Standalones

On Jul 22, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week2 Comments

Hello!
Continuing the Six Recs series, I have some of those (seemingly) elusive standalones for you because sometimes you’re not in the mood for an entire series, or time is against you, and these six books are all brilliant ones to dive into.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Diversity is more than a Buzzword

On Jul 22, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

Continuing with this series, today I have six books that show how diversity and representation across the spectrum can and should be written. They don’t make apologies. They don’t make a spectacle of it. It’s just an integral part of each world and story, and everyone of these books is high up on my favourites shelf because of that.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Ongoing Series to Dive into NOW

On Jul 21, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week3 Comments

Hello!

Rearranging my schedule a little as work blindsided me this week and I’m behind on the review portion of the event, so for now a second Six Recs post for today. This time taking a look at six ongoing series that you don’t want to wait around to dive into.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Series You Need to Read

On Jul 21, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation WeekLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am bringing you another six recommendations, and this time I have six completed series for you to add to the TBR. I love the anticipation of waiting for the next book (albeit impatiently), but sometimes you want to sink your teeth into one that you know is complete so that you can devour them all at once. Please check out the series and authors below!

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6 Self-Published Recs: Women in Self-Publishing

On Jul 20, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am bringing you another six recommendations, and in the spirit of #WomeninSFF today I am focusing on self-published books by women. Most of these are very high on TBR, apart from the first which I have read and reviewed and the last one that I must sit down and write a review for. All are fabulous authors though, so I hope that you will check out their books!

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Book Review: Will of the Mischief Maker (An Orisha Tale) – Antoine Bandele

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, Review, Self-Published, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week1 Comment

Hello!

For my second review as part of Self-Published Author Appreciation Week, I am reviewing Will of the Mischief Maker by Antoine Bandele. Previously, I’ve read By Sea & Sky by Bandele and I had been meaning to pick up more of his work, and when I came across Will of the Mischief Maker it was love at first sight (yes, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover… but look at that cover!!) and it seemed the perfect way to dive back into his work.

Book Summary:

What happens when a deity needs a human body?

They go to the source, of course.

Eshu the Trickster needs a mortal form for his mischievous plans, but the only other Orisha who can help him swore off the practice ages ago.

It will take careful scheming to convince the Original Architect to come out of retirement. Any misstep and Eshu will be thrown from the Sky Realm.

What’s worse, Eshu hasn’t visited the heavens for several centuries. Would his former comrade even be the same? How can Eshu persuade someone he barely knows anymore?

Find out in this prequel short story to The Gatekeeper’s Staff, a young adult fantasy based on the West African mythology of the Orishas.

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Book Review: Vultures (Shadow Twins #1) – Luke Tarizan

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, IFA Summer Challenge 2021, Review, Self-Published, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week6 Comments

For my first review as part of Self-Published Author’s Appreciation Week I am delighted to be reviewing Vultures, the first book in the Shadow Twins by Luke Tarizan.

Luke Tarizan is not only a self-published author himself, but he also does cover design and you can check out his work and services HERE.

Book Summary:

An enemy slain is not a conflict won…

After decades of war the demon Te Mirkvahíl is dead. But its progeny endure, spilling from the Heart of Mirkúr, sowing death across the land of Ariath. If the people are to finally know peace, the Heart must be destroyed. Theailys An believes he can do just that with The Keepers’ Wrath, an infamous power focus wrought in Ariath’s yesteryears–but the weapon first must be reforged.

War spares no one…

Serece never intended to get involved in Ariath’s war. But history and demons have a way of pulling strings. When she learns Theailys An, a man whom she abhors, bears striking similarity to the first creator of The Keepers’ Wrath, Serece departs her mountain world for Ariath to ascertain the truth.

From patience, hope…

For millennia Behtréal has walked the world alone. Rewriting history to resurrect his people is easier said than done. But Ariath holds the key–soon The Keepers’ Wrath will be remade.

Truth from madness…

As paths converge and a shadow falls across Ariath, one thing becomes increasingly and horrifyingly clear–these events have played out many times before.

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6 Self-Published Recs: Hidden Gems

On Jul 19, 2021 By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Lists, Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week6 Comments

Hello!

And welcome to the start of Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week on the blog! For the entire week (with one very exciting exception) I will be celebrating and showcasing Self-Published books and authors. Each day will start with a recommendations post (6 recs every day, apart from Sunday which is slightly different to bring the week to a close and to add to those TBRs just a little more) based on a different theme each day. Most of the books I’m featuring are ones that I’ve already read, or which are on my imminent TBR and I will be linking to my reviews where relevant! In addition to this I will be reviewing three SP books each day this week, so it’s going to be a busy, busy week on the blog.

If you want to follow the event on twitter just keep an eye out on the tags #SelfPubAppreciation and #IndiesAreAwesome (which they are), and there is also a hub across at Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub where you will be able to find all the posts (once curated) in one place. And a massive shoutout to Jodie at Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub for organising this wonderful event, and to Anca for the graphics!

So, to kick things off today I delighted to be sharing six (plus a sneaky extra) books that deserve more love! Please check out these hidden gems, and if you have any underappreciated SP books to share then please drop them in the comments! (My TBR might weep, but I won’t).

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