The Vine Witch: Luanne G. Smith #bookreview

Synopsis: Elena Boureanu, a witch from the French countryside, has spent the last seven years cursed and living in the body of a marsh creature. After using sheer wit to break the spell, she is determined to find the wretched witch who ruined her life. When she returns to the vineyard she calls home, she finds that Chateau Renard has been sold to a handsome but non-believing lawyer from the city, Jean-Paul Martel. He is quick to express his distaste for the practices of vine witches, but Elena soon forces him to see the realities around him.

While Elena strives to return to her normal life, someone or rather some witch, seeks to destroy her and the vineyard she so lovingly coaxes to life. As she attempts to rid Chateau Renard of the hex paced on it, a string of murders plagues the small town, and the blame is quickly placed on her. Elena is determined to prove her innocence, rid the town vineyards of evil, and seek revenge against the one who cursed her. In her relentless pursuit, she learns about her shocking past and many unknown facts about the people closest to her.

My Review: This debut novel from Luanne G. Smith was a fun and exhilarating tale set in the beautiful countryside and vineyards of the French countryside. The crowd of characters, from a frog to monks to an ancient Beirhexe witch, are likable and interestingly different from the common tropes in fantasy. From the very first page, which was thoroughly strange and intriguing, readers are  captured by the story. Smith chose such a fascinating place and time to spin the historical fantasy tale of these wonderful characters.
This story could be described as a fairy tale for adults, because it has such a magical allure. There is a thin line between good and evil, which has the reader hovering on the decision of which characters can be trusted. With an abundance of twists and turns, the tale leaves the reader guessing and also eager to read on to find out the answer to all the mystery. There is something to love for readers of several genres including fantasy, mystery, and even a little romance. Overall, I loved the story and would be sure to pick up any future titles, including it's sequel The Glamourist, by this talented author.
While the story and plot was excellent, I felt there was some what of a disconnect with the characters. I didn't feel any real connection with them and was left wanting to know more about their personalities. Some of them seemed very one dimensional and lacked complexity. For example, I couldn't really get a feel from Jean-Paul as a person, I only know that he had some inner turmoil about his beliefs. Grand-Mere has so much potential as the little old grandma of the story but her character was also a little flat. I wanted to hear more about her. Since the story was told in third person omniscient, there was great potential for the reader to hear the thoughts, feelings, and more personality from the characters.  I also couldn't follow the growth of the romance between Elena and Jean-Paul, because it seemed as if it was nothing then it was something.
With all that being said I really did enjoy it and think that it deserves a read and I would definitely recommend it.

My Review: 3.5 stars

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Publisher: 47North
Publish Date: October 1, 2019

About the Author:
Find Luanne G. Smith on Amazon, Goodreads, and her Website 

Scarlet Huntress: Leann Mason #bookreview

Synopsis: After the death of her grandmother, who was killed by wolves, Allya is placed in the care of a family led by the patriarch named Seth. She soon realizes this family is actually a coven of shape-shifting witches who will torture, abuse, and eventually attempt to use her as a human sacrifice in order to complete a sacred ritual. Reigning in her inner strength and will to survive, Allya manages to stop the ritual, kill one of her captors, and escape from the tormented life she has been living since her childhood.

Now lost in the woods with little more than the clothes on her back, which happens include a striking red cloak, she finds herself under the protection of a lone wolf. She is eventually led to Grimm Hollow, a town full of magical creatures, and under the protection of a spell to keep the evil forces out. Through the help of a Shifter, Allya learns skills to defend herself, and prepares for a mission of revenge. She will discover secrets about herself and those around her in her attempt to untangle the mystery of her life. In the end, she will complete a journey of self-discovery and triumph, as her character transforms from being hunted to being the Scarlet Huntress.

My Review: Scarlett Huntress is a dark and thrilling re-telling and extension of the beloved Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Full of magic, witches and warlocks, wolf/human shifters, and even a little Native American lore, this tale is sure to capture the attention of the lovers of fantasy and fairy tale re-tellings. In the story, the main character Allya makes a smooth transition from being a scared, timid, and abused child, to a strong, well-rounded, and powerful woman that readers will love. She has a snarky attitude and a relatable, sarcastic inner dialogue that a reader can identify with, appreciate, and even get a few laughs out of.  The story is only loosely based on Red Riding Hood, so there are no boring moments where the reader feels as if they have heard this before. There are several unique and mind-boggling twists to Allya's story that send the tale off in a new direction.

The supporting characters are also very interesting and many play significant and fascinating roles in the story. For example, Hunter, who teaches Allya everything she needs to know in order to mount her defense against the coven, is a strong-willed and loyal servant to the town of Grimm Hollow. This story is a great example of how a character can undergo growth through their steadfastness to a cause. Growth doesn't have to mean a fundamental change in the character.

The only part that is a little underplayed is the experience that Allya had with the coven and back history of her family. Describing this more would contribute to an understanding of Allya's current mental state and explain some of her actions better. The backstory of both Allya and her family could be a novel in itself and would be an excellent prequel to Scarlet Huntress. This is the first installment of the Tales of Grimm Hollow series, and Mason has set up a nice ending that should lead smoothly into an excellent second book.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Amazon Available October 29, 2019
Author's website: www.leannmason.com

Author: Leann Mason
Publish Date: October 29,2019

The Wrath of Raghnall: Shauna Richmond #bookreview

Synopsis: Lord Theodore Olden counts it a blessing when his old friend Bjorn the Brave arrives at the celebration of his eldest sons betrothal. Soon after his arrival, demons from Bjorns past come back to haunt him. To this day, he knows not of who murdered his family, with only his daughter spared from the attacks on his house and a son who is seemingly back from the dead. Both houses encounter a plague of demons that were thought long gone in their quest to get to the truth and to restore Bjorns family to their throne. For their involvement with the Vikings, bandits and mercenaries attack house Olden, leaving the house divided between their loyalties to their ally and protecting their own family. The family of cursed Vikings must find a way to beat the odds once again and to recruit new allies to take back what was stolen from them.

My Review: This debut novel from Irish author Shauna Richmond is sure to capture the mind of any medieval fantasy reader especially those who are interested in Viking lore, magical creatures, and gruesome warfare. The most important thing I found fascinating about this book is that the characters are so unique and do not fit into the typical character cliches sometimes found in fantasy works. We have Freya who has inherited a kingdom but not in the way a swooning innocent princess may have. Then there is Finn, second born to the House Olden, who isn't interested in conforming to the mannerisms expected of those with royal blood. We even have Theodore, Lord of House Olden, who is a fair and just ruler and remains unbiased in the matters of nobles vs. small folk.

This atypical characterization keeps readers interested and avoids the boredom that usually comes with the repeated character tropes found in fantasy. In addition, having a strong female protagonist is exciting especially for female readers. Richmond has also done very well to create characters with both deep emotions and complex and often traumatizing pasts. This makes the reader identify with the characters easily. The world Shauna has created is full of new magical creatures and evil entities, both human and non-human.

The novel is fast paced, not overwhelmingly, but has just enough action to keep reader's engaged and eager to follow through to the next chapter. The author employs several interesting twists throughout the story that will rouse the excitement of readers and keep them coming back for more. The story ends with an unexpected revelation that promises for more to come. We, the readers,will eagerly wait for the continuation of this story in the future works created by Richmond.

My Rating: 5 stars

About the Author:

Shauna is a first-time author who took time out of her career to pursue motherhood and to chase her dreams of telling her own stories and seeing them in print. Her first book came to her as she was battling her own demons of depression and anxiety. Writing became an outlet that helped her through the dark times and to overcome the struggles she had dealt with. 

You can find links to purchase The Wrath of Raghnall and social media links for Shauna Richmond below. 

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Beta Read and Author Spotlight: Jason P. Hein author of The Varsian Kingdom #betareader

I am pleased to say I had the privilege of being a beta reader for Jason P. Hein, author of  an epic fantasy series named The Varsian Kingdom. This four book series is an adventure that is sure to please. After reading the prequel, The Legacy of Ravenbane, I can say that Hein definitely has a knack for writing fantasy. The book is filled with the fantasy creatures we love and hate, as well as legends, battles, and even romance. The characters are beautifully charming and will stay with the reader. In fact, I am so enthralled with these characters that I plan to continue to read and finish the series. The story includes a masterful description of how The Varsian Kingdom came to be as it is in the series, as well as an explanation of the origin of the dark and light forces the land harbors. I can say that I was thoroughly impressed with the story and can't wait to read the next four books to continue on this adventure. I wish Jason the best of luck with his career as an author and he has my full support on any future endeavors.

About the Author:
Growing up on a secluded farm in the panhandle of Oklahoma, Jason P. Hein developed a unique point of view and literary sense as a young child. With few friends and little to entertain him, his imagination ran wild! With iconic names such as C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien as literary inspirations, epic tales began to unfold inside the confines of his mind. These stories soon became the backbone for a rich fantasy land, now known as "The Varsian Kingdom."
As years and education expanded his mind, so they expanded the Kingdom of Varsia. With the launch of "The Varsian Kingdom Series" Jason is now offering his world for the exploration of intrigued minds and fantasy readers alike!

You can find Jason's social media and links to purchase his books below:

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Roland's Path: R. J. Hanson #bookreview

Synopsis: Roland, a seventeen year old boy from among the race of the Great Men, is tasked with supervising three prisoners in his father's jail. When two of those prisoners escape, Roland and his childhood friend Eldryn embark on an adventure not only to capture the escapees but also to gain the elusive approval of his father. The third prisoner, labeled  spy and cut-purse, convinces Roland to use his assistance in tracking the others who have escaped. The trio then commence a whirlwind adventure through the land beyond the borders of their home of Galhallad. Chance encounters with giants, elves, and ogres will threaten to deter them and end their mission. As ominous evil lurks beyond every turn, both in the real world and in the mind of Roland, he must control his emotions and concentrate on the task at hand to be successful.

My Review: Roland's Path is not only a fantastical tale of adventure in fascinating new land, it is also a coming of age story of two friends who capture our hearts. As Author R.J Hanson reveals in the blurb, the tale is woven from his true experiences during years of role play gaming with friends. Many gamers have often thought that our character's experiences would make a great book. From the moment we meet the two main characters Roland and Eldryn we are drawn to their down-to-Earth simplicity as well as their complex internal emotional strife. We can easily identify with Roland's constant desire to impress his father, and Eldryn's acceptance of taking a backseat ride to Roland's adventures. The characters are unapologetically raw and plausible; we all have someone in our lives that we can correlate them with. Hanson has shown his knack for letting the characters develop through their story rather than forcing their traits into wordy paragraphs of description upon our first encounter.

This is the first installment in the Heirs of Vanity series and Hanson has revealed a second and third book that will continue the saga of the life of Roland. Being his debut novel, the prose is understandably unrefined. It would be pleasing to see it elevated in the coming installments to raise it up a level and place it among the ranks of other famous epic fantasy novels. There is a great potential for Hanson to pull a best seller out of this series. Roland's world, the Kingdom of Lethanor, is well thought out and beautifully illustrated at the back of the book but more visual world building throughout the book would give the reader a better sense of the environment. It must be noted that the action/fight scenes in the book are both thrilling and suspenseful. Hanson undoubtedly draws on his real life experiences as a law enforcement officer to drive his impassioned mental illustrations of the scenes. His vivid descriptions of weaponry and armor and the characters riveting emotional responses paint realistic battle scenes. All true lovers of fantasy will appreciate and indulge in this series.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Author: R. J. Hanson
Published Date: March 22, 2019 Roland’s Path (Heirs of Vanity #1)
by R. J. Hanson
Genre: Fantasy/ Epic Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult/ Adult
Release Date: 22 March 2019

Blurb:
When two servants of evil escape during young Roland’s watch, he is driven by his own shame and vanity to take up his axes and track them down himself. Raised on the rural edges of Gallhallad, can he survive the dangers and complexity of the road ahead?

With the help of his lifelong friend Eldryn, the Cavalier hopeful, and an uneasy bargain with a dagger wielding cutpurse, Roland pursues a wizard of unknown powers and a woman of uncommon beauty and skill.

Will Roland’s vanity not only doom him, but a kingdom he hoped to one day serve as well?

In Roland’s world of Stratvs, vanity has a high price. A price paid with the blood of the innocent and the guilty. Around him, swords once pledged to justice rust on the altars of the self-righteous.

You can find Roland’s Path on Goodreads

You can buy Roland’s Path here on Amazon

About the Author:
RJ Hanson has been a cop for over two decades. In that time, he accumulated a number of real-world experiences that have served to give him a unique understanding of the human condition and a perspective that gives his writing an honest grit. He has also benefited from years of training ranging from interview and interrogation techniques to hand to hand combat to SWAT tactics. RJ is a certified Firearms Instructor and Linguistic Statement Analyst. He currently serves as a Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division of a small Texas police department where he specializes in crimes against persons.

In his youth he worked as a cowboy having grown up on a small ranch in north Texas. At the age of 16 he was selected for the TAMS (Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science) project at the University of North Texas where his young eyes were opened to the world.

In his spare time, RJ studies medieval combat and military tactics as well as arms and armaments of various cultures and times.

RJ and his wife, Michelle, live on a small ranch where they maintain a modest heard of cattle, two dogs, a variety of barn cats, a peacock named Henry and a peahen named Margaret (aka Ferd).

You can find and contact R. J. Hanson here:
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Embracing the Looking Glass: Amy Koto #bookreview

Synopsis: Returning to Wonderland was never part of the plan, but destiny calls from beyond the Looking-Glass. Kallie Bennett thinks that she has left Wonderland behind, as she tries to move on with her life, but her curiosity continues to stir, luring her back there. Luring her back to Ches, the vampire who changed everything for her. In Embracing the Looking-Glass: Book Two of the Dreaming of Wonderland series, Kallie quickly realizes that Wonderland is at war. Queen Hartley has launched an attack, but a rebellion is forming. Kallie realizes that her return to Wonderland has become something more than chasing after the unknown. It’s her destiny and it’s up to her to tap into her inner strength to help Wonderland and defend the magical community before it is destroyed by darkness. Kallie will do anything to protect Ches, but at what cost? As much as she wants to believe that true love can conquer all, sometimes there is more at stake, but is she truly ready to sacrifice any chance at leading a normal life? How far would you go for the one you love?


My Review: Since leaving Wonderland at the end of book one in the Dreaming of Wonderland series, Kallie is plagued by day dreams about her beloved Ches. She feels as if he is calling her back to Wonderland and that there may be an even greater threat posed to the magical land and its inhabitants. We can sense the urgency in Ches' please to her from beyond the looking glass. The plot quickly thickens when she realizes that threat and begins to act her part in the revolution against Queen Hartley.
We are introduced to a few new characters that are reminiscent of old fairy tales. Finally, we are given some insight into just how these characters came to be in their current state. Their back stories are very interesting and toss a nod to other fairy tales that we grew to love as children. The best part about the second book is that it gets quite a bit darker in the battles between good and evil. It is pleasing to see that Kallie has matured and grown into herself in many ways as she is forced to take a major part in the revolution.
Some of the story is a little wordy and one may find themselves having the urge to skip forward to more significant scenes, but in the same vein as the first book the plot quickens when the action begins. The reader will really feel the emotion when both Kallie and Ches are forced to make a decision that will keep them together but not in a way that they wanted. This leaves an opening for a third installment in this series which I am sure will measure up to the first two and be another enjoyable read.

My Rating: 4 Stars

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Author: Amy Koto
Published Date: June 5, 2019