Tag: #Adventure

Posted in #BookTours

Dragonsong

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Sometimes, nothing but the death of your father will do


Dragonsong

by Michael Forester

Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure



Rebekah, noblewoman of Albion, has been driven to madness by the murder of her lover Vidar. In her torment she bargains with the Prince of Demons to turn her into a dragon. Thus transformed, she seeks to take revenge upon her father, Merlin, whom she is fooled into believing is responsible for Vidar’s death. To save the world from the ravages of Dragonsong, Merlin is forced to banish his beloved daughter to hell, regardless of the consequences for him personally. 

Behind the subterfuge stands Oberon, Captain-King of Elves. He does not foresee the devastation his jealousy and unrequited love for Rebekah will unleash upon Gaia when he frees her from Merlin’s spell and summons her from hell to support his war against Albion.

To save Gaia a second, Merlin is forced to travel back in time to prepare a warrior capable of overcoming the dragon through the power of the Sleep Stone. But he does not foresee the bond that will develop between the dragon and his own assistant, the Seer, Michael of Albion. If Lady Attie and Michael prove unable to return the Sleep Stone to the mouth of Hell in time, the Demon Army will be swarm out of Hell and overrun Gaia.

Time. Time is the key. Time is the only solution to Gaia’s destiny – but only if the gods of Asgard can find a way to stop it.  

 

What readers are saying:

“On a par with the epic of Beowulf, this modern day classic never ceases to amaze. Gripping, thrilling, twisting and turning, the plot of this epic piece of verse (an achievement unrivalled in the 20 the century, I’d say), will have you gripped from start to finish. Don’t just dream of dragons and elves, Kings and Warriors, heaven and hell: read about them and allow the mythology to soak deep into the fibre of your being! You, and your deepest soul, will be thrilled.” -Rod Boothroyd

 

Absolutely beautiful book I loved this book. It is a tale of wizards, demons, dragons, elves, love and treachery set around the Arthurian court but written in rhyme. I have not read any poetic literature for over 40 years since studying Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight at university so this book intrigued me. I am full of admiration for anyone who can write beautiful poetry but when they can also tell a story at the same time I find that quite remarkable. It is about the battle between elves and men, love stories ending tragically and deceit and treachery. I would urge people to read this even if they haven’t read poetry in a long time, I just found it so beautiful and the story will entrance you. The last lines as written by the Scribe are “Or wilt thou, reader, now persuade me once again to take my pen And make another story come to be? All I can say is that I really hope so!  – A 5 Star ***** Review By Breakaway Reviewers

  

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Michael Forester is a deafened author who lives between the New Forest and the sea. He is a full time author and public speaker, travelling both in the UK and internationally, speaking inspirationally and signing his books for readers in locations as far apart as the UK, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. He is the author of ten published books to date, on subjects as diverse as business strategy, spiritual inspiration and epic fantasy poetry.

Michael’s own journey has taken him from early years in academia into middle years in management training and Neuro Linguistic Programming. It has taken him from normal hearing to near-profound deafness and the life-changing arrival of a hearing dog, Matt. It has taken him through a miraculously survived suicide attempt in 2002, into a spiritual awakening.

He has travelled to over forty countries, from the Amazon Rainforest, encountering ecological devastation, to South Africa, experiencing post-Apartheid forgiveness; from a personal pilgrimage in search of the singing bowls of Nepal, to a first-hand examination of the darker side of economic modernisation in the Philippines, besides many other destinations.

 

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Posted in #BookTours

The Quest for Freedom

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

One man against the world


The Quest for Freedom

The Conquest Trilogy Book 1

by Matthew Devitt

Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy, Action, Adventure




Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.
The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change. Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind…and conquer the planet.

 

**Use the code “silver” for $3 off the paperback at The Author’s Website!**

 

**Only .99 cents!**

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I’ve always had a love for fantasy, and to this day LOTR and The Inheritance Cycle remain some of my favorite books. There are limitless possibilities when you’re writing, but with fantasy, it’s different. You don’t have to adhere to rules or logic; you can create whatever type of world you want. Characters can live in a dystopian society, a grand futuristic city, a picture-perfect world, or a medieval wasteland. Time, technology, and magic are all there for the taking, and as a writer, you get to choose what defines your story.

 

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Posted in #BookTours

The Sacred Band

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Where gods walk the earth and warriors defy fate. 


The Sacred Band

Sacred Band Series Book 8

by Janet & Chris Morris

Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure



The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic epic of love in war in ancient times.

In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired brothers and lovers, to fight on other days. These forty-six Thebans, whose bones will never lie in the mass grave that holds their two hundred and fifty-four brothers, join with the immortalized Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons, consummate ancient cavalry fighters, to make new lives in a faraway land and fight the battle of their dreams where gods walk the earth, ghosts take the field, and the angry Fates demand their due.

 

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Don’t miss the rest of the Sacred Band Series!


The Sacred Band of Stepsons series is Homeric and heroic fiction following the exploits of an ancient cavalry unit modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. Deftly mixing history, myth, and fantasy, Morris’ Sacred Band of Stepsons live and die in a world where gods are real and magic works — sometimes.

Morris’ accursed cavalry commander, Tempus, first appeared Sacred Band first appeared in the million-selling Thieves’ world shared-universe in 1981. Subsequently, Janet Morris, first alone and subsequently with her husband Chris Morris, take the Sacred Band into their own series of novels, set in the fourth century BCE. Passionate, gritty, lyrical prose and unforgettable characters make this series. Perseid Press Sacred Band novels includes the “Author’s Cut” of the Beyond Sanctuary Trilogy and Tempus, as well as the epic novel The Sacred Band, and The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl.

 

Find them at Perseid Press



Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work was in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she also wrote historical and other novels. Morris either wrote, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

 

Christopher Crosby Morris (born 1946) is an American author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a lyricist, musical composer, and singer-songwriter. He is married to author Janet Morris. He is a defense policy and strategy analyst and a principal in M2 Technologies, Inc. He writes primarily as Chris Morris, but occasionally uses pseudonyms.

 

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Posted in #BookTours

Kidnapped (David Balfour Book 1)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

“A thrilling adventure story, gripping history, and fascinating study of the Scottish character” from the author of Treasure Island (The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”).

Just as newly orphaned David Balfour discovers his scheming uncle is trying to steal his inheritance, he’s kidnapped by a sea captain with plans to sell him into slavery in the Carolinas. Before long, the ship is hampered by strong winds and rough seas, throwing David together with Alan Breck Stewart, a roguish Jacobite with a score to settle. Surviving shipwreck, assassins, and subterfuge forges their friendship, uniting the two young men on a rip-roaring journey that will take them across the Scottish highlands.

“Kidnapped is [Robert Louis Stevenson’s] masterpiece, an unforgettable novel of action that would inspire writers as varied as Joseph Conrad, John Buchan, Graham Greene and Muriel Spark. . . . An astounding action adventure in which Stevenson’s command of narrative, prose that’s pared to the bone, is never less than enthralling.” —The Guardian, “The 100 Best Novels”

“One of the great pleasures of reconsidering Stevenson was rereading Kidnapped. I came back to it hesitantly, nervously, expecting to take my seven-year-old self to task, and found from the beautiful, stately opening pages, wherein David Balfour leaves his home for the last time, that I was captivated. Alan Breck remains a wonderfully jaunty character, and I was struck afresh by Stevenson’s gift for describing landscapes that both shape and reveal the actions of the characters.” —The Atlantic

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson remains one of the classic coming-of-age stories for children and young adults today. After the death of his father, David Balfour sets out to meet his uncle and claim his inheritance. This adventure takes him through the highlands of Scotland where he embarks upon a long journey back from treachery and deceit. The reading by David Rintoul, whose voice is easily recognizable from his roles in several PBS productions such as Pride and Prejudice, translates the written word into an auditory landscape of Scotland. He interprets each character using several voices. As the story progresses, listeners can hear David changing from an uncertain and hesitant youth, to the assured and forthright young man he becomes at the conclusion. Without any special effects, the fight among the crew of the Coventry in the RoundhouseAchairs pushed over, the sounds of the sea hitting against the great shipAbecomes easily visualized. the reader’s skill setting the stage and showing the growth of the character is phenomenal. While this is an abridgement, the story flows easily and gives a full picture from beginning to end. This audiobook is a wonderful way to introduce this style of literature to young readers who may feel inhibited by reading the language of Stevenson. Whether read for enjoyment or to enrich the learning experience, this is a must for every serious library collection of the classics.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.

From the Back Cover

A finely honed, stirring adventure about the orphan David Balfour, who is kidnapped by his villainous uncle and escapes through the Scottish highlands, only to become involved in the Scottish struggle for independence. This edition features a new introduction by Margot Livesey.

Posted in The New Haven Series

Kingdom of Ara: New Haven Series Book 4

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This book picks up where Prince of the City leaves off.

Théoden has his plate full training his newest son, Dante, as well as investigating the death of the vampire in his territory. If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Dante, the half vampire, half werewolf hybrid is the fated mate of Josef, the Alpha of the River Rock werewolf pack. With this knowledge, Théoden knows that things are about to get violent, because if he knows anything about wolves… they will stop at nothing to claim their mates.

Noel hasn’t even been a vampire for a full month yet, but now he must fight for his life when the River Rock Alpha wages war or Théoden and his House. He’s never had to fight in a battle of swords, fangs and claws, but he will do whatever it takes to prove to his sire and brothers that he is one of them… and worthy of the House of Théoden.

Josef knew the moment he’d caught Dante’s scent, that the wolf-vampire hybrid was his mate. He’d rather Dante not be bound to Théoden, because he hates vampires and distrusts them, but his mate is a gift and he’ll take him and way he can get him. There’s just one obstacle standing in his way, but after waiting eight centuries for Dante, he’s not going to let Théoden stop him for claiming what belongs to him.

Deacon is still learning what it means to be mated and he and Elijah are navigating their relationship, discovering things about themselves that they never knew. For instance, Elijah is a submissive and Deacon enjoys putting him on his knees. Of course, bonding with Elijah isn’t the only thing Deacon has to be concerned about. He soon discovers that all of his well-laid plans may unravel. The half-breed wolf he turned over to Théoden as part of their deal is his rival’s mate. If he’s exposed for the crimes he’d committed, if could mean war. Lucky for him, Elijah has a plan.

The Reviews

Kindle Customer

4.0 out of 5 stars This is the fourth Season of (The New Haven Book Series )

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020

This was a great read a lot happened in this installment of this series there was quite a lot of character development too . With Noel, Romeo and Dante finally showing what it means to be a child of the House of Theoden I also like the fact that Romeo and Dante finally got to clear the air with each other . Than we lost Rhyu when stupid Ass Joseph and wolf Alpha attacked the House of Theoden in order to take Dante who turned out to be his mate which I still don't know how to feel about that one . Personally I thought it was a stupid excuse to attack someone without even trying the diplomatic way and talking to Theoden about it and maybe they could have come to some sort of agreement compromise . I legit cried over Rhyu but dang did he get a amazing send off and Deacan I legit don't care about him or his pack why are they even in this series . And Deacan has his own book too please and know there's a new enemy to boot man anywho Deacan needs to pay everyone else has lost something precious it's time for him to loose something too I want the truth to come out .
Wendy Dawn

5.0 out of 5 stars Sinister and sexy supes!

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2022

Wow! Blood, Werewolf attacks, death, mates found, treachery…and lots of steamy sex scenes…dragons and vampires oh my!

This is not your sparkly vampires or Native American wolf shifters by any stretch of the imagination!

Theoden and his boys are back for another installment of wild crazy and deadly tale. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll get turned on…could you expect anything else in New Haven?



As always this isn’t a standalone but a series that needs to be read or listened to in order! Don’t skip this installment as many major plots begin to converge.

Amazing characters that feel so real you’ll crave more. A world built around supernatural beings in charge will seem very probable.



The audible version is supremely well done. From raspy voices to many different accents which hundreds of years old supernaturals would use will draw you into the story and plots and once the narrator has you in his clutches you will beg him not to let you go! Definitely not to be listened to while in public (it’s that dark, sinister and sexy)!
J. A. Cummings, author

3.0 out of 5 stars If you want kinky m/m sex, step inside. If you want story and good editing, keep looking.

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

The story is good, and although there are a million reasons couched in my own experiences (seriously, as a warning for other rape survivors, these books are TRIGGERY - proceed at your own risk), I can't stop reading. I need to know what happens next. That's the mark of a good writer, by the way. I am compelled to get to the next arc in the story just to know what goes down (other than every single character, that is).



There is more sex than story here. Granted, the sex is an integral part of the world, but still. FAR more sex than story, most of it kinky, much of it non-consensual, and all of it hot, if I'm being honest. If you're looking for something plot-driven with complicated characters, keep looking. If you want raw, sexy entertainment, this is for you.



There is some character development, but mostly it's tied to how far they're willing to descend into submission. The Doms tend to be very one-dimensional, and though they give lip service to caring about their subs, I just don't buy it.



I only wish the thing had been edited better. There's an editor credited, but honestly, there are so many spelling and grammar errors, it makes me wonder sometimes if the first draft was released by mistake. The errors are especially egregious during the sex scenes.