#GiveAway - IMPERIA by Jason Hatcher

IMPERIA

by Jason Hatcher

Jason will be awarding a $40 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. Those locations may be found here. 

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BLURB:

IMPERIA is a tale of revenge. It is a resurrection of Asian myth. It is fantasy's untold story. 

Thirty years is a long time to hold a grudge. The Red Empress has endured every single day of the past three decades living among enemies. A captive empress, she bides her time, her mind's machinations plotting a future bathed in blood. And then the future becomes the present. Across the Empire of Heaven, the winds blow calmly no more.

GENRE: Fantasy, Asian Gothic

Amazon Buy Link


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EXCERPT:

After bathing in a tub filled with orchid blossoms, she sat down at the vanity. As she gripped the comb and held it by her head, she felt its teeth scratch her scalp, and she realized that her hand was trembling. Even as her body cooled and dried, that place below felt like a cauldron boiling over. 

The bedroom door creaked open then and Fei Sei gasped aloud. "Who is there?!" she shrieked, only to turn and find a Silongese maidservant staring back at her in terror. "I have all I need, thank you," Fei Sei muttered, exhaling a long sigh of relief. The girl vanished. Fei Sei turned back to the vanity mirror, making sure the water-colored dressing robe was closed around her body. She silently thanked the gods that her thick black hair had begun to grow back. It fell close enough to her chin that she no longer resembled a boy. Swollen nipples poking the surface of her weightless linen robe left no doubt whatsoever that she was female.

“I prepared the room for you myself,” a deep, male voice from somewhere behind her began to speak. She dropped the bottle of perfume from her hands. It shattered on the floor. “I chose the color of the shallow sea so that your surroundings here may comfort you.” 

Fei Sei remained seated at the vanity with her back to the door. She could not summon the courage to turn around. In the vanity mirror, she could see the reflection of his bare arm, so thick with muscle and tanned to the color of red clay. A bit of his sash showed, too: a sleeveless tunic, black and gold.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Jason Hatcher attended the International Baccalaureate senior high school program, then went on to study Japanese and English literature at the University of Florida. He attended law school in Boston, and worked as an attorney in New York City for eight years. A lifelong lover of Asia, he spent much of his childhood in Japan. He speaks, reads, and writes Japanese, and has traveled extensively throughout that part of the world. Today, he lives in Westchester County, New York, with his husband, mother, and twin sons.

Author website: www.jasonhatcher.space

Author Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/MeetJasonCarterHatcher/?fref=ts

IMPERIA Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/imperianovel/?fref=ts

Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14715959.Jason_Hatcher

Goodreads book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28001974-imperia?from_search=true&search_version=service

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

#GiveAway The Hunter's Moon by Beth Trissel ~ Secret Warrior Series

 The Hunter's Moon 

Book 1--Secret Warrior Series

by Beth Trissel

Beth will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. Those locations may be found here. 

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BLURB:

Seventeen year old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers.

Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home. And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets.

GENRE: YA Fantasy  Romance
Amazon Buy Link

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EXCERPT:
Oh, no. Was the wolf hit? Morgan prayed not. She sensed him trying to protect them, and couldn’t imagine why, or why he seemed like ‘her wolf’. 

Cries, like the shrieks of a panther, carried through the trees. A chill crawled down her spine. Were the woods filled with creatures she thought long gone from these mountains?

More wolfish snarls erupted and snapping, tearing. Good. He lived. She nudged Jimmy. “Can you see anything?” 

He craned his head around the rocks. “Not through the smoke and fog.” 

Eerie howls rose from the surrounding woodland on every side. A whole pack must be gathering. Morgan wasn’t certain whether to be frightened, fascinated, or hopeful of rescue. Still light-headed, not sure she even saw clearly, she watched the black wolf reappear; with him, a great white wolf whose green eyes shone like starlight. The most extraordinary yet. Together, the two loped after the brown and gray one. Judging by the high-pitched calls, there were more wolves out there. And panthers, or were they mountain lions?

Snarls, growls, and the shrieks of enraged felines ripped through the smoky shroud. The pack wasn’t after her and Jimmy. Not now, anyway. 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Married to her high school sweetheart, Beth Trissel lives on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by her human family and furbabies. An avid gardener, her love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into her work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of her inspiration. She's especially drawn to colonial America and the drama of the American Revolution. In addition to YA fantasy romance, she also writes historical, time travel, and paranormal romance, plus nonfiction.

For more on Beth visit her blog, One Writer’s Way, at: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com

Connect with Beth on Facebook: Author Beth Trissel: https://www.facebook.com/bctrissel?fref=ts


At Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethTrissel


Visit Beth’s Amazon Author Page where all her books reside: Amazon Author Page: 
http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1435416800&sr=8-1

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

#GiveAway: As Dragons from Sleep by J. Ellen Ross

As Dragons from Sleep

by J. Ellen Ross

J. Ellen Ross will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner during the tour Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. Those locations may be found here. 

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BLURB:

Two years have passed since the attempted coup that nearly cost Leisha, Queen of Tahaerin, her crown, her lover, and her life. With her fractious and peevish nobles cowed into submission, she can finally enjoy the peace she work so hard to forge.

But, war has come to the kingdoms of Ilayta. Sailing over the horizon, vicious invaders arrive first on the shores of Tahaerin. Under the banner of their nameless god, they threaten to drown the land in blood and bring a weapon never imagined here. 

Leisha will fight ferociously to save her kingdom and her people, while once more, powerful men plot against her. Conspiracies she thought long dead return and her one-time lover reappears with grand promises. One of her closest friends and advisers guards a secret that threatens everything she has built. Isolated and betrayed, she has only a pitifully small army and a handful of people she can trust.

As her enemies drive her from her home, turn friends against her and threaten her life, where can Leisha turn?

GENRE: fantasy

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EXCERPT

From their position on the hill, Leisha watched the Deojrin advancing, creeping closer to their position. Still too far away for any of them to threaten her soldiers, she knew the first rows of enemies fell well within her range. As she stared, transfixed by their neat ranks, the hill disappeared and then the sky, until row after row of her enemies filled the whole of her vision. Blood pounded in her ears. She could start freeing or killing them now. Time seemed to draw out in front of her, a long line of possibilities, of victims. 

“Leisha.” Distantly she heard Avrid’s warning. “Look at me,” he commanded while brushing his mind over hers, demanding all of her attention. 

Avrid saw her breath coming in short gasps and her pupils shrunk to pinpricks. “I know what you’re feeling. I remember my first battle well. The signal will come soon. Take a breath and relax. Bloodlust is not needed here.”

Confused, Leisha looked at him and then back down the hill. Why did he want to deny her nature? Born a weapon, now placed in Andelko hands, she stood here to save her kingdom, her people, herself. Her blood coursed, fast and furious, driving out all doubt and the vulnerability she loathed. Power coiled around her, up her legs, around her waist and shoulders, seducing her, reminding her what she could do if she just called on it. Today she would hunt and kill, just as she was meant to. 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

J. Ellen Ross lives in Texas with her husband and their four rescue dogs. She works in high tech, which has nothing to do with fantasy or writing. As Dragons from Sleep is the second novel in her series, ‘The Tahaerin Chronicles’. The first A Gift Freely Given is available on Amazon.

When she’s not busy chasing dogs around or rushing someone to the vet, she loves to read and play video games. She has a hobby of having hobbies, so she’s also been known to do sculpting, beadwork, and painting.

Website: www.jellenross.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jellenross
Twitter: @j_ellenross
The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Faerie’s Ring By Jaylee Austin ~ Sedona Series ~ GIVEAWAY

Happy Book Birthday to Faerie's Ring!

Faerie’s Ring

Sedona Series, Book #1

By Jaylee Austin

A fallen demon invades Lara Clint’s beloved city of Sedona and a strange voice calls for her to awaken to her destiny. A demon catcher, she is summoned to capture and reignite the flame of the iris, stolen by the son of Vobris, God of Light. Ironically, her own secret binds her to the demon.

Rafe Avery, a sidhe warrior and protector of dreams, is challenged to remove the black rose of darkness and help the one chosen to replace the white iris. Time has run out. The gates of Elysium and the magic portals will close to humankind, leaving them to the mercy and control of the revenge-seeking demon.

A hot attraction ignites between the human and fae as they struggle to accomplish their goals. Lara’s secret threatens to destroy all their lives. Is Rafe’s love strong enough to break evil bonds and bring the darkness to justice? 

Publisher:  Roane Publishing

Release Date:  November 9, 2015

Buy Links:
Amazon | All other buy links may be found here

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Broken Prophecy by KJ Taylor ~ GIVEAWAY ~ INTERVIEW

Broken Prophecy

by KJ Taylor

KJ will be awarding an eCopy of Broken Prophecy to 3 randomly drawn winners during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chance of winning by visiting the other tour stops. Those locations may be found here. .

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Interview:

Crystal: Today I have the pleasure to host KJ Taylor. Welcome KJ! I'm so excited to have you join us today. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

KJ: If you insist! I’m an energetic 29-year-old brunette, and I’m currently living alone. I like a man with muscles and an accent, and my perfect date is a trip to the movies followed by a pub crawl-

Wait, I think I typed that into the wrong box. 

Ahem. Since my official bio will be attached to this, I’ll share some things that aren’t included in it. I have a day job as an archivist, which is a lot more interesting than it sounds, and currently have ten different tattoos and eleven piercings. 

Crystal:  Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us?

Ambit looked at his hand. It was nearly healed now, and the vague, ghostlike shape of the bellflower had begun to show through on the scarred skin. The pain had almost completely gone. ‘Well, what d’you expect me to do about it?’ he said eventually. ‘I might be the Chosen One, but I don’t think I’ve got anything that can stop that.’
‘You have to try,’ said Snarl. 
Ambit heaved a sigh. ‘See, this is why I never wanted to be the Chosen One,’ he said. ‘Everyone always wants me to solve their problems for them. Come here, you little moron.’
‘What?’ said Snarl.
Ambit threw the spear down, and crouched. ‘I said come here, Snarl.’
She waddled closer, head held up toward him. ‘Ambit, you shouldn’t…’
Ambit held up his right hand, paused for just an instant, and then pressed the palm onto Snarl’s forehead and kept it there. 
After a moment or two, Ambit’s hand started to smoke. A faint hissing sound disturbed the pool of silence around the two of them, and Ambit’s face twisted. Snarl stayed completely still, one front foot raised. 
The smell of burning flesh started to drift into the air, and Ambit pulled away with a sudden motion and a strangled yell. He left a layer of skin behind on Snarl’s forehead, where it shrivelled and blackened away into ash. Ambit fell back, clutching at himself and cursing. ‘Shit, shit, shit, fuck, shit…!’
Snarl shook her head. ‘I hate to say this now of all times, Ambit, but… you’re an idiot.’
‘I love you too,’ Ambit said through his teeth. He dragged his pack off his back, and fumbled in it for bandages and burn cream.
‘You know, you really could have saved that for after we went to help Volcan,’ said Snarl. 
Ambit slapped some of the ointment the doctor had given him over the burn on his hand, and wrapped the whole thing in bandages. ‘Unbelievable,’ he said. ‘We’ve been back together for five minutes and you’re already going on at me.’
‘Someone has to do it,’ said Snarl, and though most humans had trouble picking up different tones in a demon’s voice, Ambit could hear fondness in hers.


Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for Broken Prophecy?

KJ: In bed. (…Ladies). No, that is not a joke. I was lying in bed one night, fuming over something very bad that had just happened, when I suddenly found myself thinking “what if you were the Chosen One but really didn’t want to be?”

Crystal:  What are you currently working on?

KJ: A sequel to Broken Prophecy, plus another Drachengott book (my other recently published series), plus a YA urban fantasy series and a short story. I like to have a lot of things on the go at once, so I can jump between them when I get bored.

Crystal:  Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing?

KJ:  Yes, and I’m quite rigid about it. I aim to start at ten, and then go on writing until about 5pm, with a quick snack at 1pm (carrots and nuts!). I get annoyed with myself if I’m late starting.

Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book or any other? If so do you have a fascinating fact that you have learned you would like to share with us?

KJ:  Since Broken Prophecy is a silly comedy story, I didn’t need to do a lot of research and in fact deliberately took a relaxed attitude to the writing itself. But did you know you can cook a pumpkin by jamming it in a volcanic vent? Because you probably can’t. Ambit does it anyway, because he’s just cool like that.

Crystal: Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?

KJ: China Mieville, J.K.Rowling, Brian Masters and Clive Barker! My tastes are pretty varied.

Crystal: Is there a genre you haven't written that you would like to try?

KJ:  I wouldn’t mind having a go at writing a thriller – I’ve already written about spies and espionage in my currently unpublished YA urban fantasy, and it’s a lot of fun!


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BLURB:

A fun adventure that satirises fantasy tropes in the style of Terry Pratchett.

Ambit Afterman is the Chosen One. Born with the mark of the silver bellflower on his palm and given a magical spear, he is the one whose coming the prophecy foretold.

Unfortunately, he would much rather drink beer and get laid - destiny can go fuck itself.

Together with his demon friend Snarl, Ambit sets out on a mighty quest - to make sure the prophecy doesn't come true, and avoid doing anything heroic under any circumstances. Along the way he will make polite conversation with demons, not deliver any great speeches, not train with the wise monks, and weasel his way out of adventure and into the nearest pub. But there may just be time to have cheap sex with the beautiful princess along the way.

GENRE: Fantasy

Amazon Buy Link

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EXCERPT:

Luckily the stretch of demon country didn’t go too much further. Ambit kept following the river, and by evening he could see green up ahead. Grass started to peek through the stone, and after a while the land gradually flowed back into trees and plants, all of them festooned with flowers. There was some fruit as well, and Ambit picked a good meal’s worth of it and sat down under a tree to eat.

As for Snarl, several times along the way through demon country she had stopped to dig in crevices and other places, and had made a meal of the rocks she dug up. At one point she had even found a rough diamond, which she picked up with a rasp of triumph and carried with her for the rest of the walk – resting it between the spikes on her back.

‘Saving it for a special occasion?’ Ambit asked her now, watching her put it down and caress it with her claws.

Snarl looked up at him, her red eyes shining. ‘Something this fine you have to savour, otherwise it’s not special.’

Ambit dug in his pack for a roll of leather strips, and started to restrap the spear, carefully covering it from the butt to just behind the point. ‘You’re right about that,’ he said. ‘I’m still saving that bit of cheese I picked up in Fessifern. It’s probably even mouldier now than it was then.’

‘Disgusting,’ said Snarl.

‘You’re right. I’ll have to toast it if it’s too far gone,’ said Ambit. He finished covering the spear, and then put it aside while he dug out his map. It had been drawn on another roll of leather, and thanks to spending so much time in his pack it looked even older than it was. He untied the string holding it together, and a pungent odour wafted out, making Snarl cringe.

Ambit sniffed cautiously, and peeled the last curl of leather apart. Something green and furry fell out onto the grass, and he picked it up. ‘Wow, I was right.’

Snarl watched him buff the lump of cheese on his shirt. ‘You used the map for that?’

‘It’s waterproof, isn’t it?’ said Ambit. ‘Now, let’s see where we’re at.’ He pinned the map down with his free hand and inspected it, absent-mindedly biting into the cheese.

Snarl came over to look. ‘Which river are we by?’

‘That one,’ said Ambit, pointing to a spot which had been handily marked out for them by a greasy cheese stain. ‘We’re here at the edge of this bit of demon country – map shows we just left this area around one of the Nine Mountains – in Seberry, and the river should take us right into the valley where those monks live. Let me see if I can work it out.’ He worked his way around the map, using his finger to measure distances, and then nodded. ‘If we keep up the pace, we should get to the monastery around lunchtime tomorrow.’

‘Finally,’ said Snarl.

‘Maybe you can eat your diamond there, make a celebration of it,’ said Ambit.

‘Only if it’s good news,’ said Snarl.

‘It’d better be after all this,’ said Ambit. He rolled the map up and put it away, stifling a yawn. ‘But first we get to do my third favourite thing and get some sleep.’

‘We’re just going to make camp here?’ asked Snarl.

Ambit lay back against the tree. ‘It’s too far to the nearest village, and knowing my luck there’ll be another old coot going on about chosen ones. I’ll take the chance of getting rained on over that any day.’

‘And I won’t have to hide,’ said Snarl. She looked skyward. ‘It had better not rain.’

‘Yeah, here’s hoping,’ Ambit said sleepily.

Snarl left him where he was and waddled over to the next tree along. She wandered back and forth for a while, growling and muttering to herself, until she found a good spot and started to dig. The dirt steamed as she shovelled it aside with her claws, and in very little time she had disappeared underground. A while later she came into view again, squatting just inside her burrow and peering out for any sign of trouble.

Ambit, meanwhile, stayed comfortably stretched out on the grass with the spear still in his hand. Every now and then he opened one eye partway, but eventually he gave that up and went to sleep.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

K.J. Taylor was born in Australia in 1986 and attended Radford College and the University of Canberra, where she returned to obtain a Master of Information Studies in 2012. She currently works as an archivist.

She published her first work, The Land of Bad Fantasy, through Scholastic when she was just 18, and HarperVoyager went on to publish The Dark Griffin in Australia and New Zealand five years later. The Griffin's Flight and The Griffin's War followed in the same year, and were released in America and Canada in 2011. The Shadow's Heir, The Shadowed Throne and The Shadow's Heart have now joined them in both Australia and the US.

 http://kjtaylor.com/



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Faerie’s Ring By Jaylee Austin ~ Sedona Series ~ GIVEAWAY

Happy Book Birthday to Faerie's Ring!

Faerie’s Ring

Sedona Series, Book #1

By Jaylee Austin

Release Date:  November 9, 2015

GIVEAWAY!ecopy of Faerie’s Ring and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter.

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A fallen demon invades Lara Clint’s beloved city of Sedona and a strange voice calls for her to awaken to her destiny. A demon catcher, she is summoned to capture and reignite the flame of the iris, stolen by the son of Vobris, God of Light. Ironically, her own secret binds her to the demon.

Rafe Avery, a sidhe warrior and protector of dreams, is challenged to remove the black rose of darkness and help the one chosen to replace the white iris. Time has run out. The gates of Elysium and the magic portals will close to humankind, leaving them to the mercy and control of the revenge-seeking demon.

A hot attraction ignites between the human and fae as they struggle to accomplish their goals. Lara’s secret threatens to destroy all their lives. Is Rafe’s love strong enough to break evil bonds and bring the darkness to justice? 

Publisher:  Roane Publishing

Buy Links:
Amazon | All other buy links may be found here

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Black Wings by Iryna K. Combs ~ GIVEAWAY

Happy Book Birthday to Black Wings!

Black Wings

by Iryna K. Combs

Release Date: October 23, 2015

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A new time. A new planet. A new world. New technologies. Two new humanoid species. A new war.

The two species separate, but in the removal, some of the best are left behind among the worst. Captured and held as slaves, they are treated cruelly for entertainment. Torture. Pain.

Annabel, endures a year of such cruelty, kept alive only by way of syringes which, while healing, cause a greater agony. She discovers a secret held by their leader, and decides to help her own kind by escaping–even if it means a final death, preferable to the life she has endured.

Her escape succeeds, and she joins her own kind at the other end of the planet. Among her new friends she meets many who help her adjust to their happier life. Will Annabel find romance? Or will another war break her down?

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Amazon Buy Link | PURCHASE LINKS

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GIVEAWAY!

A paperback copy of Black Wings and a 

$10 Amazon Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Brave Men Die: Book 1 of 3 by Dan Adams ~ GIVEAWAY

 Brave Men Die: Book 1 of 3

by Dan Adams

Dan will be awarding an eCopy of Brave Men Die to 3 randomly drawn winners during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here.

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BLURB:

Part one of an exciting epic fantasy series written by a new voice in Australian fantasy.

Castor and Pollux Fallon are members of the Buckthorne military, and have been since their mother handed the unruly little bastards into the care of the Baron after their father's death.

When the Kyzantine Empire attacks the Murukan outposts in the Callisto Mountains the brothers answer the call to war. Behind the front-line battle scenes are brutal assassinations, political backstabbing and the re-emergence of a dark power long thought eradicated from the land. the conflict escalates, all the while forcing each brother to make another difficult decision between sacrifice and duty until the day that the toll is unbearable ... and there is only one type of sacrifice left.

In the vein of Mark Lawrence and Peter V Brett, this is an exciting new name in medieval epic fantasy.

GENRE:  Fantasy

Buy Link:

Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Riding over the loose sun-dried dirt, Volans kicked up dust as he rode back along the column. There had been little rain since the beginning of summer and the hardened travel road had become brittle and cracked. Volans’ face was covered in dust and his sweat had smudged it in. He looked over the faces of the unit as he went past. The men mainly looked casual, but under the bored expressions were men willing to receive and carry out any of his orders. He continued riding until he found the two men he was looking for.

A smile formed on his parched lips. Volans watched as the faces of the two young men turned sour. Castor appeared to take it to heart, his sullen expression revealing his opinion for only the briefest of moments before control returned. Argol on the other hand was furious. He muttered something so low under his breath that Volans could only make out some key words, not appropriate language to be directed at a superior officer.

‘What else do you want us to do?’ Argol asked, highly suspicious and aggravated at Volans’ arrival and not at all worried about letting it show.

‘Lieutenant,’ added Castor.

‘Hydrus has a lovely job for you two.'

Castor looked at Argol and raised an eyebrow. ‘And what does it involve?’

‘You two get to ride down the Trasken road and act as decoys.’

‘Sitting targets? No fair!’ exclaimed Argol.

‘Everyone else will ride cross country. Either you will draw them out or we will flush them out.’ Volans remained rigid, trying to press on the youngsters the seriousness of the situation. 

For a brief moment Volans wondered if they would disobey him. Castor and Argol were his closest friends within the unit but he drew a fine line when they were on duty and he was their superior.

Fate stepped in. Castor nodded his head in acceptance and started to ride off. Argol sucked in his gut and puffed out his chest before audibly exhaling. ‘It’s all good mate. We know where the orders came from.’

Volans turned and rode about twenty paces behind Castor and Argol. They sat straight and tall in their saddles, even amongst the sniggering and laughter from the rest of the Nails. Since the rest of the unit was older they seemed to enjoy the novelty of youth, and when those two got the shit jobs they couldn’t help but smile, the tension between Hydrus and those two obvious to all. Argol and Castor never returned the unflattering remarks. As they passed Hydrus the boys both saluted, mocking Hydrus and his orders. Volans glanced at Hydrus. His face displayed no sign of offence, his lips remaining a hard, straight line.

With big smiles the boys dug in their heels and rode off.

As Volans pulled up at the front of the company next to Hydrus, it occurred to him that neither Castor or Argol were part of Hydrus’ loyal followers. Castor, having grown up and tutored with him, thought of him more as a sibling, an annoying, snobbish one at best. As for Argol, Hydrus was just another competitor who was slightly older and lucky enough to have a better station in life. They respected him and grudgingly followed his orders, but when the opportunity presented itself they followed their own agenda. Well, more so Argol’s. Volans smiled and Hydrus raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in attitude. Volans shrugged it off and regained his composure. Those two were not Hydrus’ men. They were his.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Dan Adams is a Sydney-based writer. When he's not penning kick ass war stories, he's working on his guns - the arm variety, rather than the weapons featured so prominently in his books. He loves slushies and always finds himself climbing too many stairs on Wednesdays. Follow him on Twitter at @DanAdamsWriter

https://twitter.com/danadamswriter
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanAdams
http://www.danadams.com.au/

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