Lizzy Ford's Blog, page 31

Hello Lizzyland!

Today we have a trio of books to spotlight!

Lost Volumes: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Three by Marsha A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy romance

Description:

When Lyra McCauley learns residents of Dragonspeir’s Alliance are suffering with a deadly plague, she doesn’t heed the warnings of her fiancé, wizard Cullen Drake, to remain safe in her human world. After all, she’s the present Scribe—one of five strong women in her ancestry who possessed unique magic, each destined to protect the Alliance against the evil Black Dragon of the Dark Realm. With Cullen dependent upon Alliance power to maintain his immortality, the stakes are doubled for Lyra.

She leaves her college teaching and puts herself at risk for the community afflicted by black magic. To find a cure, she and Cullen travel into the vile, lawless underworld of Terza to strike a bargain with an expert. Their efforts further enrage the Black Dragon, vowing to decimate the Alliance and avenge the murder of his heir.

Lyra must secure the three lost volumes of the Book of Dragonspeir. Written by the three earliest Scribes, each book contains energy. Possession of the entire set will enable overthrow of the Dark Realm. Following clues into dangerous lands, Lyra and Cullen seek those volumes. His assistants, Kenzo the tiger owl and Noba the pseudodragon, prove invaluable aids. Only if they succeed, will the Alliance be safe and Lyra reach closer to the immortality she needs to live a life with Cullen.

Purchase at Amazon

Series Blurb: Enchanted Bookstore Legends

The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day. Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast implications.

Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl, when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen. These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.

When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role, Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra becomes the Scribe.

Excerpt:

From Chapter One: An Urgent Message

Lyra almost deleted the email marked urgent, suspecting some virus that might take control of her computer, but stopped when she realized the sender was her lover—a 220-year-old wizard, who rarely used a computer. She couldn’t open the message fast enough.

Lyra,

Alliance mortals and lower magicals are taking violently ill. I’m leaving the bookstore for a while to offer aid. DO NOT come to Dragonspeir. Stay safe in your world.

Love always,

Cullen

She stared at the screen, twisting a strand of her long hair. Leaning forward, she gripped the armrests of the chair. Her breath caught when she noticed how the dragon’s sapphire eyes on her new bloodswear ring sparked from the energy of her concern. His message left her undecided, reading between the lines and weighing the choices.

Those affected—mortals and lower magicals—seemed to place her in the risk group, obviously Cullen’s concern. However, those mortals were all born in Dragonspeir, while she originally came from Tampa. Lower magicals did include members of both worlds. But as the current Scribe, Lyra possessed inherited power at least as great as high-order wizards. She just didn’t fully grasp how to command her magic yet.

She did want to help. Since her parents and dear Aunt Jean died, the Guardians, wizards, dragons, and other residents of the Alliance were her only family. Lyra’s unique powers might be useful, especially since they now lacked an alchemist.

Eburscon disappeared after he attempted to steal her scribal aura, and she’d heard no reports of him since, so he was presumed dead by many. According to Cullen, no one wanted him back. However, living without a person capable of creating remedies for a plague or widespread illness had left many residents uneasy. Some talked about trying to persuade Tarom, the Dark Realm’s alchemist, to switch his allegiance. Two centuries ago, he served the Imperial Dragon, leaving only when he couldn’t tolerate working under Eburscon any longer.

Despite ranking as the top wizard, the Imperial Sorcerer in the Alliance High Council, Cullen lacked alchemical skills. Even though untrained, Lyra possessed a keen intuitive sense in the craft. She could help him. Aries guided the fire in her scribal powers and also fueled her impatience.

Lyra checked and secured Aunt Jean’s cottage since the last gasps of late winter storms in the upper peninsula of Michigan could be brutal.

Dashing off a few emails to her college students in Florida, she gave them feedback on their independent study in the Fantasy Lit course. She was glad her leave from on-campus teaching responsibilities continued until the next fall term.

Lyra saved and printed the chronicle draft of her bloodswear quest, completed at the end of last year. It was mid-March, and she’d almost finished the written account, storing magic in her words that would empower the Alliance—her role as a Scribe. The hard copy she stuffed into a commuter bag to work on later with the Imperial Dragon and the other three Guardians. She needed to sort through their research details that had helped her kill the heir to the Black Dragon. Additional supplies could be conjured from memory.

Outside, the dock in the backyard looked weather-beaten but sound. Waves from Lake Huron lapped at its old boards. In the flower bed, the first spring perennials peeked through the packed ground and would require plenty of care soon. Lyra hoped to be back in time to maintain what her aunt had loved so much. Crocuses stood bravely against the melting snowpack—a reminder.

As she turned from the garden, a large black butterfly flitted around her head. It was the same type that had spied on her before and been in her aunt’s room when she was killed—purple spots like eyes on its wings. Suspecting it was a transformed magical from Dragonspeir’s Dark Realm, Lyra swatted at the insect. Thinking that someone watched her leave caused a chill to run down her spine.

Finally shooing it to the nearby bushes, she lifted her head high, put her bag inside her silver Subaru sport wagon, and drove straight to Drake’s Bookstore.

After parking in back, she twisted her dragon ring to unlock the back door of Cullen’s shop, no longer needing the magical skeleton key. “Sheridan, I’m using your portal,” she called out.

From his cage on the showroom counter, the cicada chirped, “I already knew it was you, sweetheart. Nice perfume.”

Lyra shook her head. Darned bug never stopped flirting.

“By the way, Sire Drake told me to not let you pass. Something about an illness in the Alliance. Don’t make me use my magic on you.”

“I’m going anyway,” she replied as she prepared herself in the storage room.

“Like I knew you would,” he snapped.

She gave her ring another twist and stated, “Pateo porta!” In response, two metal bookcases moved apart. Between them lay the connector to Dragonspeir. She stepped across. The familiar tingling sensation now felt invigorating, when last summer it had frightened her. Her jeans, t-shirt, and jacket transformed into a full-skirted gown of light blue cotton under a navy cloak.

It was her first time back since being publically honored for completing her bloodswear quest and sorcery studies. She’d have to wait to find out if her new abilities could alter the clothing she acquired at the portal.

Lifting one side of the long garments, Lyra ran the short distance along the wooded trail to the location of the old, sentry tree, Gatekeeper Cranewort. Reminding her of the shape of grand live oaks in Florida, his branches spread wide and high, taller than any nearby. His large, flat leathery leaves were turned to collect the warm morning rays.

“Hello, Cranewort,” she called ahead. “I don’t mean to disturb your sunbathing, but I need to pass to the Imperial Dragon’s lair, or to the Meadow—whichever place I can help most with those who are sick.”

“Not sunbathing, child, merely enhancing my immune functioning to bolster my health after the harsh winter. Sire Drake instructed me to not permit your passage. He and all of us fear you will fall ill.” He lifted extensions of his roots into a spiky barricade, one of his gate-keeping defenses.

“Perhaps I can help,” she maintained, hands on her hips.

“It looks to be a horrible disease—elevated fever, chills, vomiting blood. Some are dying. Please stay here, Adalyra.”

“I’m not like any from Dragonspeir. I won’t get it.” Lyra hoped what she said was true but couldn’t turn her back on thousands who were ill.

“Well…you most certainly are unique.” He folded his leaves and tipped his trunk forward to look at her directly. “The Alliance relies on your special scribal abilities to battle the Dark Realm. Losing you to illness would risk too much. Be wise and stay back.” He smoothed down his bark and held out a twigged hand to her.

She stepped beyond his touch. “The entire Alliance is my family, and I need to help them.”

The gnarled tree let out a sigh and lowered his roots. “Very well. You have your own mind, and it is one of a leader. That is your inheritance from the four female Scribes in your family. But, I expect you to use every caution available. Sire Drake is in the Meadow. Stay with him.”

“I promise.” Lyra hurried toward the crossroads, which connected dozens of trails. There she selected the short path leading to the Meadow.

Pluch trees lined the trail. Their weeping branches, active with new sap, swept after Lyra in attempt to caress her golden hair, now grown almost to her waist. Flower buds on the bell flowers peaked out. The air held gentle notes of fragrant jasmine from the vine’s first purple flowers. She took a deep breath as she sped down the familiar walk. She had missed Dragonspeir.

Along the way, Lyra thought about her action, entering the land without permission. Although she recently passed sorcery training for all crafts except powerthrowing, Lyra only elevated her immortal status. In Dragonspeir, they used the term afflation—having received divine impartment of knowledge and strength to endure more physical hardship than a non-magical. Until gaining enough afflation to become fully immortal, she needed to be invited by the Imperial Dragon to be his guest in Dragonspeir.

As a new Alliance sorceress, the Imperial Dragon decided when he needed her. Lyra clearly broke his established protocol. But she often bent Alliance customs to suit her needs while working for the greater good. So far, she had only raised eyebrows, and no one troubled her. She hoped this time would be the same, but entering a plague-ridden land against orders was a bit different than wearing jeans or hugging dragons.

Purchase Links for previous books in the series:

Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two ~ available for only $1.29

Amazon

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One ~ available for only 99 cents

Amazon

Author Links:

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“The Grey God” is the final book in Lizzy Ford’s War of Gods paranormal romance series to get a whole new look in order to reflect the magic of the books!

The new covers are all done by the wonderful Regina at Mae I Design! She even hand designed symbols on each cover to match the necklaces worn by the brothers.

The War of Gods cover reveals began January 21 with “Damian’s Oracle” and will continue through February, leading up to the release of “Xander’s Chance,” the first book in the Damian Eternal series, a spin off of the War of Gods.

The Grey God Darian can’t quite shake off the dark streak remaining after the thousands of years he spent enslaved by evil – or the memory of how the only woman he loved betrayed him. When given a second chance at life and love, Darian struggles to leave his past behind, before it destroys his future. The warrior destined to become his mate, Jenn, is accustomed to fighting – and defeating – dangerous men. But Darian isn’t just another powerful man, he’s immune to her mind reading talent and completely unpredictable, a trait sure to get anyone near him killed. Jenn feels trapped between the wild god and his enemies, who learn her fate long before Darian does. Rather than embrace her destiny at his side, Jenn defies it in an attempt to protect him and her own heart.

Purchase from: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Smashwords, Kobo.

Find it on Goodreads!

Lizzy Ford is the author of over seventeen novels written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling Rhyn Trilogy, Witchling Trilogy and the War of Gods series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.

Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.

Find Lizzy online! Website, Lizzy Ford Books on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Amazon author page

Synopsis:

Love or Death? A simple question really. The choice seems obvious. But. What if you never knew love, what if your life was spent just trying to survive? What if you knew your fate before you were fully grown?

And then you died.

And you were given another chance. A better chance.

This new life depended upon one thing: your job. And so you agreed. You thought it would be simple. You thought it would be cut and dry.

It never is.

And now you are left holding the fate of someone else in the palm of your hand and you have to make the ultimate choice.

Love or Death?

Excerpt:

Proposition – An offer of a private bargain. A plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal.”

“Opportunity would be abundant and you could create a whole new identity for yourself.”

I was tempted sure, but still something kept me from accepting right away. “What’s the catch?”

There was always a catch.

“In return for your life, your new and improved life, you would come and work for me.”

“Doing what?”

“You will be an Escort.”

On the streets another name for Escort was a prostitute. “I don’t think I would look good in a dress and heels.”

“You joke. You’re funny.” Mr. Burns said, smiling. “Not that kind of Escort. This is more exclusive. More important.”

“So what exactly will I be Escorting?” I asked more confused than before.

Mr. Burns looked at me, his little beady eyes gleamed with excitement and he smiled, causing his cheekbones to jut outward.

“Death. You will be a Death Escort.”

Killer Right?

It gets better, check THIS out!!!

Now a little about the author:

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the upcoming Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

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Cambria website

Today, the Valentine’s Day book sale, hosted by the Indie Book Festival. Featuring some of today’s hottest indie authors, the sale runs from Feb 14-16 and all ebooks start at .99!

Welcome, Natasha, to Lizzyland! Natasha has been kind enough to include us in her cover reveal for her short story, “The Mysterious Beach,” set to release this month! Congrats, Natasha!

The Mysterious Beach

What if you got stuck in a mysterious beach or cave? Two girls will stop at nothing to get free. They meet some people along the way, some good, and some bad. Will they make it out alive? In this short story, you will see loss, heartache and bonding. Buckle up, or shall I say swim because this is an adventure you don’t want to miss.

Hello Lizzyland!!!!

Today we have Jim Mullaney with us to tell us a little about himself, his books and a giveaway!!!!

Ready?

Here we go!

Book blurb:

TURN THAT CROWN UPSIDE-DOWN…

When Banyon takes an easy gig bodyguarding the visiting Queen of Albion, he figures for the first time in his career he’s finally got it made. A little quick cash for an afternoon’s work. What can go wrong?

When you’re Crag Banyon, don’t ask.

No sooner does he take the job than someone tries to kill Her Royal Handbag. No sooner does he save her than someone tries to kill him. No sooner does he say to hell with it and escapes to his favorite bar than the local temperance league shuts it down. Banyon’s having the worst day of his life, and that’s before a rival P.I. commits a very public suicide that somehow links back to Banyon Investigations, Inc.

Banyon would rather be warming his favorite barstool than figuring out what it all has to do with an ancient wizard, a nasty curse, a sleazy pawn shop, and a very large tree, but unfortunately someone’s finally figured out a motivation that has him stumbling out the nearest exit. This time if Banyon doesn’t show up for work, he’ll be visiting his legs in a different zip code.

…CRAG BANYON’S ON THE CASE!

Author of what sounds to be an awesome book!

Jim’s bio:

Jim Mullaney is the author of The Red Menace series and The Crag Banyon Mysteries series. He is busy writing his fourth Red Menace novel. The first book in the series — Red and Buried — is coming out in paperback this April, published by Moonstone Publishing.

He was born in Massachusetts, the last of six children. He sold his first pseudonymous novel at 25 and has since published 31 others. He likes dogs and hates cats. He used to slice bologna for a living, has written for Marvel Comics and has contributed on The Destroyer to National Review Online. In addition to The New Destroyer, he has with Warren Murphy co-authored the Destroyer companion guide, The Assassin’s Handbook 2: Chiun’s Big Book of Rainy Day Fun.

Mullaney currently lives a hermit-like existence in his native New England. His pet peeves include poverty and injustice, but only as they apply to him.

Where to find Jim:

Jim’s web site

Facebook author page

Blog

And now for the giveaway!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time for another blog hop! The Romance is in the Air Blog Hop is sponsored by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachael Anderson.

To visit the other stops along the hop, please see the list at the end of this post!

At this stop, you can enter to win a copy of the young adult novel, “Dark Summer” (#1, Witchling Saga)! To enter, obey the Rafflecopter!

Dark Summer

A girl with a broken past and a dark secret. A boy with a twisted future and no second chances.  When they meet, it just might cost them their souls.

Sixteen-year-old Summer doesn’t expect the new boarding school to be any different than the rest: a temporary stay where everyone will turn against her after a few weeks. Until she meets the rest of the students at this special school and realizes she’s not the only one with magic in her blood.  Accustomed to the concrete jungle of LA, she gets lost one night in the forests of the Rocky Mountains and meets Decker, the boy who will become the Master of Night and Fire on his eighteenth birthday. Their connection is instant and dangerous, for both will be forced to choose between Light and Dark, life and death, love – and their souls.

One choice. One soul. One price.

Available from: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Apple announced it will begin featuring prominent self-published books as part of a new program to highlight indies. The new program was recently covered by the NY Times and the blog of Smashwords founder, Mark Coker.

Guess who appeared in the first round? “Katie’s Hellion!”

That’s right. Katie, Rhyn and friends made the cutoff, based on reader reviews and sales of the book on iTunes! It’s an incredible honor and distinction to be featured with other incredibly talented indies.

Check out “Katie’s Hellion” on iTunes by clicking here and the other breakout books by clicking here! Please help spread the word. It’s not every day that one of the major retailers chooses to feature books by indies. This is definitely a step in the right direction!

Katie didn’t send her boyfriend to Hell, but she’s going there to bust him out!

Katie thinks she’s going crazy when a baby angel and death’s personal assistant appear on her doorstep. Both claim she’s destined for something great. If she can survive, that is. She’s drawn into a world filled with immortals like Rhyn, an outcast who claims her as his mate in a show of defiance to his brothers. Katie rescues Rhyn from Hell, and he discovers fast just how special his little human is. With Death counting his days on one hand, Rhyn must learn to love, before his own time is up and Katie becomes the first human casualty in the brewing war between immortals. Will the love between a gifted young woman and an immortal outcast save the world– or destroy it?

“Damian’s Immortal” is the third book in Lizzy Ford’s War of Gods paranormal romance series to get a whole new look. These covers are growing more and more fantastic!

The new covers are all done by the wonderful Regina at Mae I Design! She even hand designed symbols on each cover to match the necklaces worn by the brothers.

The War of Gods cover reveals began January 21 with “Damian’s Oracle” and will continue through February 16, leading up to the release of “Xander’s Chance,” the first book in the Damian Eternal series, a spin off of the War of Gods.

The White God’s most trusted friend, Jule, has his powers stripped by the Watchers. They give him an impossible mission: find the mysterious Magician and kill her, before she reopens the gateway between the realms. Jule quickly discovers the beautiful Magician is not what the Watchers claim. Afraid of her own powers, the Magician has lived a sheltered life, a near-prisoner of someone determined to use her magic to destroy the human world. The Magician, Yully, must choose between her loyalty to the man she views as her father and Jule, the man whose touch brings her hope and happiness after years of fear.

Meanwhile, the young Black God is growing into his powers, with the assistance of a being that shouldn’t exist, and whose presence threatens to alter the balance of power between Good and Evil.

Purchase from: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Smashie.

Find it on Goodreads!

Lizzy Ford is the author of over seventeen novels written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling Rhyn Trilogy, Witchling Trilogy and the War of Gods series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.

Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.

Find Lizzy online! Website, Lizzy Ford Books on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Amazon author page

“Damian’s Assassin” is the second book in Lizzy Ford’s War of Gods paranormal romance series to get a whole new look! The blue in this one is fantastic!

The new covers are all done by the wonderful Regina at Mae I Design! She even hand designed symbols on each cover to match the necklaces worn by the brothers!

The War of Gods cover reveals began January 21 with “Damian’s Oracle” and will continue for the next few weeks, leading up to the release of “Xander’s Chance,” the first book in the Damian Eternal series, a spin off of the War of Gods.

With the White God in Europe, Dustin is left alone in Miami to protect the Grey God, a man-god struggling with his identity, and the White God’s mate. One of the Black God’s vamps in Miami suddenly goes rogue and starts killing humans by the dozen. Dustin initially doesn’t think much of the ruthless, human-hating thug, Talon, until it becomes clear that the vamp is receiving help from otherworldly beings whose intentions are nothing short of destroying humanity. To make matters even worse, Dustin’s begun to dream of his dead sister, who tells him he’ll be seeing her soon.

Dustin rescues Bianca and her troubled brother, a Natural whose mysterious talent makes him vital to Talon’s plans. Bianca, a woman as sunny and sweet as Dustin is hard and cold, has the rare Natural gift of healing. She can bring the recent dead back to life or turn a vamp back into a human. She can even reach Dustin’s heart, which he locked away long again after his sister’s death. Convinced he’ll be killed soon, Dustin won’t risk his heart or Bianca’s, despite their mutual attraction, and Bianca discovers even her incredible talent can’t save both the men she loves.

Find it on Goodreads! Available from: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Smashwords, Kobo

Lizzy Ford is the author of over seventeen novels written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling Rhyn Trilogy, Witchling Trilogy and the War of Gods series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.

Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.

Find Lizzy online! Website, Lizzy Ford Books on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Amazon author page