Morgan's Musings
Just my rambling, plus whatever book I've recently read!
🎉📚 Happy Book Birthday to What a Latte Books! 📚🎂
Dive into the pages of this captivating tale and let the pages of your imagination unfold in celebration! 🥳🎈 #BookBirthday #CelebrateReading #ReadingCommunity #Contemporary #Romance #MagicalRealism https://books2read.com/WhataLatteBooks
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In the realm of Holmfirth, far from Melthkior, Princess Tesni finds herself ensnared in a curse that compels her to dance tirelessly through the night. She must navigate a delicate balance between her royal responsibilities and the ceaseless rhythm of her relentless dance. Tesni yearns to be perceived as more than a coveted reward to be claimed for breaking the enchantment. Summoned by Tesni’s father, Prince Brenin finds himself irresistibly drawn to Tesni’s captivating personality and quiet strength, by the genuine beauty that emanates from her. In the velvety embrace of deepest night, Brenin becomes Tesni’s silent guardian, accompanying her to the realm of the Otherworld. There, he answers riddles posed by the mysterious Taliesin. Will Brenin uncover the secrets that tether Tesni to her unending dance, winning not only her freedom but also her heart? Will the silent whispers of their burgeoning affection be allowed to grow? Or will Tesni remain forever entwined in the dance of the Otherworld that holds her captive? Slippers and Songs is a Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale retelling and the first book in the Brodyr Alarch series, where Brothers Grimm stories entwine with the fascinating mythology of the Welsh Gods. I can't believe it's finally out in the world! So far, the feedback has been great. And don't forget, you can get it for FREE in return for a review if you click the link for BookSirens. I also had some fun this week and, by request, made a recipe page for the Brodyr Alarch. All of the recipes were found online - although some have already disappeared, so I had to find substitutes! Which one would you like to try the most? And if you do for real, let me know what you think! You can find Slippers and Songs at the following: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200681601-slippers-and-songs BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/slippers-and-songs-by-morgan-sheppard Smashbomb: https://smashbomb.com/s/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1 Universal Purchase: https://books2read.com/SlippersandSongs Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSPQTCJ6 Apple: https://books.apple.com/de/book/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1/id6477316319 B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/slippers-and-songs-morgan-sheppard/1144779682 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1514775 Eden: https://edenbookstore.com/product/pre-order-slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-11/ If you could spare a moment, I'd greatly appreciate your review. Even just a few words can make a significant difference for authors.💙 Have a great weekend and I'll catch you later. Have fun! An avian tournament. A chaotic prince. An unwanted engagement. Assassins out for blood. Crown Prince Orson of Mannerobes is a turbulent young man, desperately trying to live up to his father’s impossible expectations. Engaged to Lady Liadan, a woman he does not love, and longing for freedom, Orson’s life takes a darker turn when the Avian Tournament, where birds and their handlers challenge each other in a variety of contests, begins. When Orson’s friend and fellow noble, Overster Tristan Arrington, is poisoned as they greet guests, they discover a sinister assassination plot. As the tournament progresses, Orson’s relationship with Lady Liadan’s deteriorates, while a new and intriguing bond forms with Sir Rorik Ironhold of Chim, a gemstone connoisseur whose true intentions are unclear. As if juggling the tournament, an unraveling betrothal, and his father’s ire isn’t enough, it does not take long before a second assassination attempt makes everyone question who the real target is. Prince Orson is a character we have met in Tristan and Will's books, but this is the first time he has taken the spotlight - so to speak. In his story, told from his perspective, we find out more about how life is for him as the Crown Prince, and just why he treasures the friendship with Will and Tristan. We also see his behaviours and how it has made things difficult with his father. It was brilliant reading about him and understanding what his father did not. Orson is ably supported by family members, Will, Tristan, and a new character here for the tournament - Sir Rorik Ironhold. Not only that, but the Avian Tournament certainly deserves a mention all of its own. The imagery given here was outstanding, along with the descriptions of the birds themselves. Well paced, intriguing, mysterious, and completely un-put-downable, this is an amazing addition to the series. I highly recommend it, but would suggest you start at the beginning with Stone of Shadows. Simply brilliant! 💙 Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others.Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. BOY OF SHADOWS overlaps with Stone of Shadows, but this time we hear from Tristan. What a story he has to tell! I loved the overlap! Seeing it through Tristan's eyes made it much more real, especially when you get an inside view of just what Tristan went through. My heart broke for him when he realised how many people had known what was going on and no one had acted on his behalf. The relationship between Will and Tristan continues to grow, already being exactly what Tristan needs. The caring and compassionate nature of Will means he does everything he can to help. Their relationship doesn't feel out of balance in any way, because I know Tristan would do anything to help Will. I loved the new characters--especially Orson and Liam. I'm hoping to see more of them in the future. The pacing was perfect and it was an absolute page-turner. I'm so happy the author returned to this world. An outstanding book that I read in one sitting, as it was just too good to put down. ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others.Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. Eve Darrow seeks to take the throne in a kingdom where women aren’t permitted to rule. QUEEN OF EARTH & STONE is the first book in the Crescent Queens series, and I honestly can't wait to read more! The prologue gives a nice introduction to the world, and the rest of it is explained as the story continues. Eve is our FMC and she is determined not to marry. This doesn't go down well with the council of advisers who seem determined to run the show. I loved the scene where she tells them of her intentions. Plus that one sentence that is just a mic-drop! - "I believe No is a full sentence." LOVED that!! Callan is our MMC and he is the mystery with secrets. He has been called to help protect her when her life is threatened. This is a fast-paced story, faster in some places than others, which can lead to it feeling slightly jerky in places. Part of that, for me, was the relationship between Callan and Eve. There was no build-up, or getting to know each other. Callan has seen her before - BOOM! Eve thinks he looks nice - BOOM! And then there's the whole yes/no that goes back and forth. I would have preferred to see them get to know each other a bit more. Yes, it could be cliché, the bodyguard and the princess, but at least there would have been something other than insta-love. On the whole, I thought this was a great read that has kept my interest and made me look forward to continuing the story. If that is how it has left me, I'd say that it's a success! Definitely recommended by me. ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * I am an avid reader and writer of fantasy romance, a collector of too many pens, a part-time coffee enthusiast, and full-time mom.
Writing has been my passion since childhood and has always been an outlet for me creatively. I live in western North Carolina where I was born and raised. Queen of Earth and Stone is my debut novel, and passion project that rekindled my dream to be a full-time author. STONE OF SHADOWS is a standalone novella that I am really hoping will become a prequel novella to a series. This world is fascinating and I was drawn into it from the very beginning. Will is a 'street rat,' living on the breadline and doing what he can to support his family. Tristan is the Overster's son and heir, living a life of luxury as far as Will can see. That all changes the day a dragon comes to town and tries to snatch Tristan. Will saves him and is taken instead. His adventure leads him back home with a prize, and he learns that life is not as simple as he thought. Originally, I gave this story 4 stars as I wanted more! Told from Will's perspective, I wanted to hear Tristan's side of things. I wanted more about the world they live in. I wanted more about Will's family. I wanted more about that mysterious stone and its powers. I just wanted... more! However, that didn't seem fair as I am supposed to be reviewing what I've read, not what I want. So, for that, I can only give 5 stars, but I really do hope the author returns to this world so I can at least catch up with how Will and Tristan are getting on. 😁 A great novella that I absolutely recommend! And take a look at that beautiful cover! This is an author I want to read more of. 💙 ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Novella Blurb: The water beckons… Illista and her sister fled their homeland when invaders killed their parents and tried to enslave the girls’ innate water magic. Now disguised as servile Waki, Illista serves the Segra people on the dusty high plains, far from the warm oceans of her childhood. One night, lured by the siren song of the Segra’s sacred lake waters, Illista sheds her Waki disguise for a swim and becomes witness to a murder attempt on the Segra chief’s only son and heir. War looms… Joral’s marriage to the daughter of another tribe will seal the peace between the warring nations and strengthen both halves of the Segra people against invaders from the West. When he is poisoned and nearly drowned on the night of his betrothal, a mysterious sprite of a woman saves his life. Was the attempt on his life the workings of a rival, or was it tied to the sudden arrival of Western mercenaries who seek the missing water witches? A secret revealed… When Joral discovers Illista’s secret, will he sacrifice her to secure peace for his people? Or will he follow his heart for the sake of a water sprite who may be the Segra’s only hope for restoring the rains to the drought-ridden land? My Thoughts: CALL THE RAIN is a fast-paced novella that could easily lead to a full-length novel or even series. The world-building is good enough that you can see the different locations and types of people - some of whom have magic and some don't. Illista and her sister are the last survivors of a tribe that was decimated by a warlord who wanted their powers for his own. They have disguised themselves as a different race, one that blends in. That has worked so far but it appears their past has caught up with them. There is a hint of romance here but it takes a backseat to the rest of the story. It is only at the end that it really shows its head. There are some parts that aren't fully delved into - either purposefully or accidentally, I'm not sure - which left me with questions. I found this to be an easy read that whisked me away to a different land that I would like to return to one day... if only to find out about Illista's sister and her sorcerer! A voracious reader since before she can remember, Kristi has always been drawn to romance, science fiction, and fantasy (preferably all three). Now, when she isn’t reading her favorite books to herself or to her kids, she is writing her own stories. Kristi, her husband, and their two children live with a pair of cats rescued from life on the streets of suburban St. Louis.
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Blurb: Lily Mauve's parents move her 1700 miles across the country to the town of Salem and into the 400 year old family home. It's here Lily discovers the extensive magical history of the Mauve family, learns about her own powers and falls deeply in love with her new best friend's brother. She meets family she never knew she had, but she quickly grows to love them. She allies with vampires, creatures she thought were made up. Everything is tipped upside down when one of her new friends is hurt at the Homecoming dance because of who she is, and when the attempts on Lily's life start she realises fear is no longer an option. Her Uncle eventually lets slip the true meaning of her Grand-mamar's prophecy and Lily's world changes. She wants to go quietly, save the people she loves but her rare mental connection with Ava means Ava knows her every thought, and she won't let her go. But ultimately, she must fight for the safety of those closest to her, even when lightning strikes and her family's world is shattered. My Thoughts: A MAGICAL HISTORY is the first book in The Mauve Legacy and I found this to be a great read. I found it completely refreshing that someone could move to a new school and fit in! Yep, and even be a cheerleader. The social outcast has been done to the hills and back and I loved that Lily knew what she wanted and went for it. The pacing is fairly fast but it works for this story. Lily is a brilliant character and spoke many a word of wisdom. She is ably supported by a cast of amazing supporting characters too. Jerome, I'm looking at you! It isn't all sweetness and light though. I knew something would happen but didn't know what. And when it did, it hurt! The ending will definitely leave you wanting more but it is a cliffhanger, so be warned. Absolutely recommended by me. I'm 19 years old and I live in Barnstaple, a small town in Devon, England. I'm a country girl born and bred.
I grew up with what some people may call an unhealthy love of books. My mother encouraged me to read whenever I could. I told her at the age of eight - and anyone who would listen - that when I was 'all growed up' I would write a book. After leaving school at 16 with 12 GCSE's, I dropped out of a hairdressing apprenticeship when I fell pregnant with my daughter, Alexia-Belle. I had her two days before Christmas, 2010. I was 17 at the time, and since then I've lived with the stigma and judgement that comes with being a teen mum. I discovered Smashwords and indie authors on my partners iPhone in Spring 2012 - completely by chance. After proceeding to steal his phone for hours every night to feed my reading addiction, he turned around and said, 'why don't you write a book instead of reading all the time?'' And in that second, The Mauve Legacy Series, my debut Young Adult Fantasy & Paranormal series was born. I write whenever and wherever I can. Naptimes, bedtimes, and even on my phone when inspiration strikes. I once wrote 22 word document pages worth in the notes section of my phone - simply because. Until the release of Lily; The Witch Hunter, The Mauve Legacy Omnibus Edition, I did all the work alone. Writing, reading, editing, cover creating.. It was a solo endeavor. Now, however, I'm blessed with a team of six fabulous Beta Readers - Kayleigh, Samm, Tammy, Kimberley, Natasha and Andrea. I'm also lucky enough to have Kayleigh double as my proof reader and editor. Besides Samm, who is my cousin, I met all the other girls online when I was pregnant and I'm amazed at the support they've given me so far, despite me only just revealing my work to my online friends. This or That: Chocolate or Vanilla? - Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie! Wellies or High Heels? - Wellies, every time. Coffee or Tea? - Hot Chocolate. With mini marshmallows and cream. Mmm. Summer or Winter? - Ooh, that's tough. Winter, probably. Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? - Mr Potter, hands down! Amazon or eBay? - Both. eBook or Print? - Ahhh! Both. I can't choose. Comedy or Horror? - Comedy! Salt or Pepper? - Err, ketchup. Genres: Young Adult, Time Travel, Fantasy Blurb: Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger. Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life. My Thoughts: GOLDEN BLOOD is the first book in the Time Spirit Trilogy and we are introduced to Gemma and her time travelling family. She is called a freak at school and keeps to herself, but it is only because she made a terrible mistake when she was only thirteen. It has made her very wary about letting anyone in. Even more so when you consider her secret life. Harrison has been the outsider and is determined it won't be the same at this school. Even if that means dodgy the bully brother of the girl who won't leave him alone. He is intrigued by Gemma and wants to know her better. This was a great read with a suspension of reality. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the siblings, although I didn't like the parents at all (which was the idea!) There were a couple of points that stood out, that jarred me out of the story, but I was quickly able to move on and continue reading. The relationship takes time to develop between Gemma and Harrison but, once they do, it's pretty much insta-love declarations, even if it's not to each other. There are some pretty big signs leading you to the next book, including the appearance of a new character within the last few pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing with the twists and turns that comprise Gemma's story! Melissa Pearl is a romance author writing in a variety of genres from teen paranormal romance to adult romantic suspense. She also writes under the pen names Jordan Ford & Melody Sweet. She’s passionate about telling love stories with relatable characters who will take you on a journey. If you’re after an escape from reality and the ultimate romantic adventure, then you’re in the right place.
Melissa Pearl is a Forever Love Publishing author. If you'd like to download their Starter Library (3 books for FREE), then you can copy and paste this link into your Internet browser: http://bit.ly/FLP_Library www.melissapearlauthor.com Email: [email protected] Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance Blurb: All she wanted was to disappear… Claire Martin is an empath. She’s lived her entire life as a slave to a constant barrage of emotions that weren't hers. Off to college, she hopes simply to blend with the crowd where she can best hide her curse. Within her first few weeks at school Claire meets Stephen Andrews, a small, fragile looking boy who changes her life forever. Stephen, a boy with a secret of his own, instantly recognizes Claire for what she is. It is through Stephen's aid that Claire meets James, a vampire with a talent of his own. As soon as they touch, their abilities connect in a way that has not occurred in over three hundred years forming a bond that cannot be broken. My Thoughts: EMPATH is the first book in The Empath Trilogy and we are introduced to Claire, an empath who shies away from touch - any touch, even that of her family. She is cutting the apron strings though, and heading off to college, where she hopes her gift will be kept under control simply by the fact of not knowing anyone there. This was the first in a series so I didn't expect to have all the answers by the time it finished. However, a few more would have been nice. Claire in thrust into the paranormal world with nary the blink of an eye. She finds out about different types of people, most having gifts of their own, and also meets someone she wants to call her own. The relationship between Claire and James moved in fits and starts for me. It was very quick in places (post-nightclub) and then slow in others. I did like that she didn't automatically put herself in danger and wait for James to rescue her. I would have liked more of a relationship between her and other characters though - Henry, Stephen, Heidi, to name a few. We end with a HFN and a lead into the next book. This was a long book that allowed me to become immersed in the story. I enjoyed it and look forward to continuing the trilogy. HK lives in the frozen hinterlands of the far North. The long, cold months provide ample opportunity to hunker down with her computer and create adventures far more enticing than scraping ice and getting frostbite.
Between books HK reads voraciously. Anything with a good plot and compelling characters are her broad parameters. One is as likely to catch her with a copy of Don Quixote as with the latest Kristen Ashley. When not writing or wowing the corporate world by day, HK practices martial arts, plays with her dogs and matches wits with her teen. Next winter she intends to brush up on her Spanish and escape the cold for somewhere more tropical. |
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