#Book #Blitz...Light of Distant Suns...#YA #Fantasy #rabtbooktours #lightofdistantsuns #laurencsergeant #intensepublications @RABTBookTours

Children of the Glaring Dawn, Book 1

Young Adult Fantasy

Published Date: November 19, 2019

Publisher: INtense Publications LLC

Ihva is horrified to find out she might be the most dreaded individual in all of Gant, but before she can discover the truth, she is whisked away on a rescue mission. Prince Jasper’s fiancee has gone missing. As they chase his betrothed all over the continent, Jasper is hiding secrets of his own, and he’s willing to risk his life to keep them. Is Ihva the feared harbinger of the world’s doom? Will Jasper find a way to save his bride and his kingdom? Only time will tell the answers, and then it might be too late.

About the Author

Lauren C. Sergeant is a poet, a founding contributor for the Auburn-Opelika Moms Blog, a writer, and the author of Light of Distant Suns, the first book in the Children of the Glaring Dawn series. Her writing career began in junior high with composing poetry, and by age 26, she started on her first novel. She has always had a passion for fiction as a means of both escape and reconnection to the world around her. Her fascination with world customs, her deep interest in personal relationships, the plethora of spellbinding stories she has read and watched, and her enthusiasm for the fantasy genre combine in wondrous ways in her engaging debut novel. Shaped by these influences, she creates compelling cultures and fascinating, relatable characters in lush imaginary realms.

In her spare time, when she is not writing, you can find her curled up on the couch with a good book, whether it be fantasy, history, physics, or calculus. She lives in Opelika, Alabama with her beloved husband and dear son, though she grew up in Southern California and never imagined calling the American South home.

It seems the unanticipated things in life are sometimes the most delightful, though.

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#Book #Blitz...Monster on the Moors...#YA #Horror #Mystery #Thriller #rabtbooktours #MonsterontheMoors #JMKelly #TopPublications @RABTBookTours

Young Adult Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Date Published: November 15, 2019

Publisher: Top Publications, Ltd

Bobby Holmes, his cousin Brenda Watson and friends are embroiled in a deadly mystery in the North York Moors of England. An old beggar warns Bobby to stay away, and another stranger appears to be at the center of it all. 

Bobby and his mates travel to the seaside town of Whitby, where a puzzling tattoo on the stranger is revealed to mean Wolf Slayer. Their goal, to track him down, leads them to baffling clues: the appearance of a group of gypsies and a librarian attached to Her Majesty’s Government, who is researching a group of super wolves. His research dates as far back as King Edward and his ally, Peter Corbet, who is charged with ridding the country of these beasts. 

Searching for his mates, friend Michael gets attacked and captured by the monster, then taken to the witches who control the creature.

Seeking their friend, Bobby and the others locate the gypsies, discover their leader is the beggar who initially warned Bobby, and receives aid and information. They learn that the mysterious stranger they’ve hunted is a descendent of Corbet, named Alex. Their new friend takes them to the Red Lion Inn for help in finding the cottage of the Witches of Westerdale. 

They find it, burn the cottage along with the witches, rescue Michael, and return to the Inn. Here they find the beast, waiting. It is killed by Alex, who then leaves to help another in New Zealand.

About the Author:

J.M. Kelly has been a middle school teacher, a vice-principal, a principal, a Co-Director of the New Jersey State History Fair, a consultant for the New Jersey Foundation for Educational Administration, a current Board member of the Global Learning Project (a non-profit) and Past-President of the Morris County Association of Elementary and Middle School Administrators. He has been the recipient of numerous education awards such as the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Award, two Geraldine Dodge Foundation Grants, and by acclamation of his school staff, received the New Jersey Principal’s and Supervisor’s Association Principal of the Year Award for Visionary Leadership in 2007. He has authored two professional books: Student–Centered Teaching for Increased Participation and In Search of Leadership. 

The Lost Treasure, available on Amazon.com, is his first novel. His love of mysteries, adventures and everything about Sherlock Holmes, helped in the creation of Bobby Holmes and his cousin Brenda Watson. Jim’s most current novel is a sequel to The Lost Treasure, entitled Monster on the Moors. It involves the same characters in a pulse pounding thriller that takes place in the North York Moors of England. Tommy Ails: Good For What Ails You, also available on Amazon, is a humorous off-beat mystery, and his first novel for adults. 

Jim’s non-fiction book, In Search of Leadership, or Sailing With Roland, (also on Amazon) takes him to the Maine coast and aboard the sailing craft of one of the most preeminent educators of our time, Roland Barth, to discuss educational leadership in particular and the field of education in general. The results are, what Roland in the Foreword calls, “timeless nuggets of wisdom for himself and for the rest of us who would venture aboard a boat and into a schoolhouse.” 

Jim divides his time between Sea Girt, New Jersey and Sarasota, Florida, with his wife Bronwen. They have three children.

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#Book #Tour...Fade...#YA #PNR #Giveaway

Fade 

The Ragnarok Prophecies Book 1 

by A.K. Morgen 

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

What do you do when you realize nothing in your life is what you’ve believed it to be?

When Arionna Jacobs loses her mother in a tragic accident, her world is turned upside down. She’s forced to leave her old life behind and move in with her father. Dace Matthews, a teaching assistant at her new college, is torn in two, unable to communicate with the feral wolf caged inside him.

When they meet, everything they thought they knew about life unravels. Dace has intimate access to Arionna’s mind, and something deep within her fights to rise to the surface. They don't understand what's happening to them or why, and they're running out of time to sort out the strange occurrences around them. 

Their meeting sets an ancient Norse prophesy of destruction in motion, and what destiny has in store for them is bigger than either could have ever imagined. Unless they learn to trust themselves and one another, they may never resolve the mystery surrounding who they are to one another, and what that means for the world.

**Only .99c on Amazon through November 10th!!** 

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A.K. Morgen is the Amazon Bestselling author of the Ragnarök Prophesies series. She lives in the heart of Arkansas with her childhood sweetheart/husband of fifteen years, and their furry minions. When not writing, she spends her time hiking, reading, volunteering, causing mischief, and building a Spork army. 

She graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology in 2009 before going on to complete her graduate degree in CJ and Law. 

She puts her education to use as a 911 Dispatch Supervisor, where she's responsible for leading a team of dispatchers as they watch over police, EMS, and firefighters for her county. 

Ayden also writes steamy contemporary romance under the pen name Ayden K. Morgen. You can visit her online at http://akmorgen.com or at the links below.

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#Book #Blitz...Rise of Serpents...#YA #SciFi #Fantasy #rabtbooktours #bavonsik #riseofserpents @RABTBookTours

Book #3 in the Primeval Origins Epic Saga

YA Sci-Fi Fantasy

Publisher: Celestial Fury Publishing

Primeval Origins: Rise of Serpents – Book #3 in this epic story revealing mankind’s undiscovered history and ancient origins bringing rise the legendary Four Horsemen. Join Nikki, a paleo-archeological graduate student suffering life altering happenings turning her life upside-down and sending her on the run from forces unknown as she learns of and experiences our undiscovered and hidden history. A history filled with terrible tyrannies, deadly dinosaurs, brutal beasts, ancient gods, and heroic hearts as the origins of our End Times is revealed, answering the question, “What if all of our myths and legends are true?”

Epic Series AWARDS and HONORS

* Young Adult Book of the Year, 2014/2015 Reader Views Literary Awards.

* Finalist, Fantasy Book of the Year, Readers Favorite 2016 Book Awards

* Finalist, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 International Book Awards

* Distinguished Favorite, Epic Fantasy Book of the Year, 2017 Independent Press Awards

* Fantasy Book of the Year, 2017 NYC Big Book Award

* Winner, Science Fantasy, National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE) Winter 2018 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

* Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 Reader Views Literary Awards

* Merit, Fiction/Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 CIPA EVVY Award

* Finalist, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 International Book Awards

* Finalist, E-Book Fiction Book of the Year, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

* Finalist, Science Fiction, 2016 Best Book Award

* Epic Fantasy Book o f the Year, 2017 Independent Press Awards

* Fantasy Best Books, NABE Summer 2018 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards

* Fantasy Book of the Year, 2018 New York City Big Book Award

* Epic Fantasy Book of the Year, 2018 New York City Big Book Award

Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Action& Adventure, Myth & Legend, Dystopian, Good and Evil, Christian Fantasy, Kindle, Nook, iBook/iTunes…and maybe more truth than is expected.

Seeking refuge from the relentless hunt, we evade the gathering forces of mankind and their guiding masters…the Serpents of Old…the Watchers of humanity. Knowledge and advancements fashioned for humanity’s betterment now turned foul by lord and servant alike, subjugating all to the ever-present examination of the surveilling State. Mankind’s self-subjugation rendering themselves as slaves to the unseen few, who only allow freedoms to peoples paying homage to their institutions of cunning tyrannies. Subtle guidance by the ancient scales now coil tightly about their corrupted human tools to deliver to them the World in arrogant defiance of Creation. It is in this confrontation, I vision the origins of the Old Serpents…in our first civilization, seeing their Lights twisted and fouled by selfish wants and the corruptible doings of their divinities. Their ancient bane…the Horsemen, I see rise, then as now, who through deeds self-driven and compelled leave in their wake punishing destructions as they seek to halt corruptions both mortal and afar. I sense I play a part in the approaching Apocalypse, through my aid to these Horsemen of Prophecy and something more. As I stand at the precipice to the end of the Fourth World-Age of humanity looking out at the coming tempest, I, Nikki, now do as our ancients did in tablets of clay and stone, chronicling humanity’s undiscovered past in these steel bound epics to share with you before the sounding of the trumpets.

Other Books in the Series:

Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish

Book 1 in the Primeval Origins Epic Saga

Publisher: Celestial Fury Publishing

"What if all of our myths and legends are true?"

We seek our origins independently through the sciences of paleontology, archeology, and more. We further seek our origins through the difficult to understand metaphorical languages of our religions. And, we further seek our origins in our myths and legends when we are not arrogantly dismissing them as ancient fantasies, creations of a primitive human mind. None of our independent "origins seekers" have complete a picture of our grand and troubled past, yet all have pieces of the greatest puzzle every to challenge modern man. It is here the Primeval Origins Epic Saga begins, integrating our sciences, our religions, and our myths and legends into a story of the ages, telling of our undiscovered history, mankind's struggle to survive terrible tyrannies, deadly dinosaurs, brutal beasts, and ancient gods. An epic telling seen through the eyes of the Horsemen of our coming End Times.

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Primeval Origins: Rise of Serpents

Book #2 in the Primeval Origins Epic Saga

Publisher: Celestial Fury Publishing

Fleeing across the sea from enemies familiar and unknown, the crew of the Wind Runner and I fight for our lives as we struggle to keep safe our strange and ancient cargo, the unconscious Rogaan and Aren. We have need the help of these warriors of old as we battle deadly Tyr super-soldiers of the New World Order, now commanded by the forces of the Crescent Moon, intent on taking our ancient cargo for themselves. I suffer horribly the wrath of the Tyr when protecting the unrisen Horsemen, hurling me to the brink of death and back into the ancient world of mankind's first civilization, reliving the past through the eyes of the then young and aspiring warrior Rogaan and the mystic Aren. As my Light, again, plunges into the maelstrom of our deep past experiencing a culture both simultaneously primitive and advanced, as our ancient ancestors struggle against self-corruptions and unseen powers born of jealous entitlements by their celestial gods and unknown intelligences. In these remembrances, I am witness to terrible injustices and impossible trials levied by the covetous tyrannies against Rogaan, Aren, and many others. In the here and now, I find rising deep questions about humanity's origins and the seemingly eternal battle between the goodness of the Light and the selfish evils of the Darkness. I, Nikki, now standing at the precipice at the end of mankind's Fourth World-Age, bare testimony of our undiscovered history, in these blue steel epics, revealing the origins of the Horsemen of Prophecy...before the sounding of the trumpets.

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Multiple Award-Winning Author of the Primeval Origins Epic Saga

- Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish (#1)

- Primeval Origins: Light of Honor (#2)

- Primeval Origins: Rise of Serpents (#3)

- Primeval Origins: TBD (#4)

About the Author

B.A. Vonsik graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and served as an USAF Special Operations aviator. Currently, B.A. Vonsik works in the training and simulation industry by day while at night and all other times detailing the world of Primeval Origins with new discoveries and research in ancient mythologies, creation myths, religions, sciences and technologies. Starting with a curiosity about why many of our mythologic pantheons seemed very similar, B.A. created the Primeval Origins story based on more than 25 years of research integrating our mythologies, ancient alien theory, history, the sciences, and with the stories of the Bible, Qur'an, and Hindu religions. B.A. Vonsik lives with his extraordinary wife in Florida.

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#Book #Tour...Sisters of Element...#YA #Fantasy #Fiction

Sisters of Element: Book One of the Luna Family Chronicles
By O. Salazar de Breaux
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction

Sisters of Element is the first book in a series about the Luna sisters, four Mexican American young women living in present day Percival Falls, Washington. Lina, Val, Zo, and Rory Luna have special abilities based on the elements: water, fire, air, and earth. Having lost their parents at an early age, the sisters have an unbreakable bond. When faced with a dark force that threatens their very existence, they don’t hesitate to fiercely protect each other — even if it means the ultimate sacrifice. 

Lina has it all — her soulmate Gabriel, her dream job, and a close-knit relationship with her three younger sisters. But meeting her sister Val’s new boyfriend triggers a series of nightmares leaving Lina frightened that something terrible is about to happen to her sister. Little does she know, she and her family are in even more danger than they could have imagined. 

Readers will go on a magical and mysterious journey with the Luna sisters. The characters will share their inner strength, their sacrifice, their resilience, and the power of sisterhood. At its heart, Sisters of Element is a story about unconditional love and how with it, you can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

Character Interview

What is the name of the book where we'll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

The name of the book is “Sisters of Element: Book One of the Luna Family Chronicles”. The book focuses on my younger sisters and I, as well as our extended family – my sweetheart Gabriel and our adopted mom Joyce. My sisters and I are…well…we are different than other people. We’ve had special abilities since we were born. We aren’t sure how we got them, but we’ve learned to live with our abilities and hide them from the world because our parents warned us that people would try and hurt us or exploit us if they knew. I have the ability to control water and also heal. My sister Val has the power to control fire. She’s an incredible chef, and true to her power, she is a bit of a hot head. Zo can control air – and even fly. Oh, she is also so alluring and gorgeous that she can make practically any man fall in love with her. True story. She works as a hairstylist. Rory can control earth, which is a good thing seeing as how she is the hippie of the family. She is an art student, but really, she never needed to study art because she is naturally talented. 

We go through so much in this story… some of it is painful, some of it is incredible. The thing about our family though, is that we will stick together no matter what. 

Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

My name is Angelina Luna – Lina for short. I’m the oldest of the Luna girls, and I’m the one telling the story. I work as the Youth and Music Program Director for a community center located in the heart of downtown Percival Falls. It is my dream job and I’m so grateful I get to do something I love every day, and work with one of the people I admire the most in the world, my Mama Joyce. 

I live with my sweetheart Gabriel. He is an Engineering Professor, so aside from being the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on, he’s also brilliant. I still can’t believe sometimes how lucky I am to call him…mine…Side note, I am blushing a little bit because I know you’ll be reading about our love story in the book. My sister Zo told me to get over my bashfulness, though. She says people need to hear more stories like ours. 

I would do anything for my younger sisters. Yeah, they are a little wild, but they are my blood and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. We lost our parents when we were young. After that, I knew I needed to protect them and be a good role model. I hope that is how they see me. 

What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won't tell.

She did the Luna family proud! I think she told our story with a lot of heart and captured our spirit. She moved me to tears and she had me laughing out loud. She introduces us in a way that I think is relatable (even though we may have a bit of magic). She incorporated elements of our culture as well as local shout outs. She is a fellow Pacific Northwest Latina, so she GETS IT! The book feels like US and I’m grateful to her.

How do you feel about the story you're in?

I’m proud to be a part of it! Who else can say that their family is the subject of a book? The world gets to meet my family through my eyes in this story. You get to see the things I admire about them, as well as the things I know they struggle with but are too afraid to share. You get to feel my pain and my triumphs. There is also some stuff that I almost wish I hadn’t talked about in the book…because it is really painful. In the end though, I’m happy for how it turned out. Maybe others can connect with what we went through.

Do you like being a character in the book?

I’m an introvert by nature, so I’ll admit it is out of my comfort zone for sure. You guys get to find out a lot of personal stuff about me in this book! Honestly though, it feels like a big weight off my shoulders to be able to tell my truth after hiding who I am for my entire life. It was cathartic.

How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Gosh… I’m just so grateful for the chance to live my life with the people I love. I adore Gabriel and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I see us having children one day. I know he’ll be an amazing dad. I want my sisters and I to always be close to each other, even if we may live far apart. We also had a revelation in the book about our biological mother, so I hope we are able to come to terms with that and find peace. It’s weighed heavily on us for way too long.

What do you know about your author's plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

The author is planning an entire series about us, and she told me we each will get the chance to tell our story from our own perspective. I can’t wait to see the world from my sisters’ perspectives. I think their stories will be provocative and powerful. They’ve all lived through so much.

Let's say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

People have said that I look like Angelina Jolie… She’s one of the most beautiful women in the world, so I’m not sure I agree; but I do admire her courageous heart, her vulnerability as well as her power, and her generous spirit.

About the Author 

O. Salazar de Breaux grew up in Olympia, Washington with five younger sisters. An entrepreneur and community leader with a long career in public service, Salazar de Breaux is also an incurable creative who’s inspired by her Mexican- American heritage. Her work incorporates her love of family, food, music, and culture. 

She stayed in Olympia to study, earning a B.A. in English from The Evergreen State College, and still lives there with her husband – her sweetheart of more than 20 years – and their two sons, whom she considers her greatest achievements.  Sisters of Element is her debut novel.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/osalazardebreaux.author

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Website: www.osalazardebreaux.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/osalazardebreaux

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/osalazardebreaux

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sisters-of-element-o-salazar-de-breaux/1132733380?ean=9781733893701

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#Cover #Reveal...The Ghost and the Wolf...#YA #Mystery #Thriller #rabtbooktours #theghostandthewolf #shellyxleonn @RABTBookTours @metamorphlitag

YA Mystery Thriller

Release Date: 09/26/19

Penelope, a student reporter, struggles to find her identity after a childhood of tragedy. Desperate to prove herself to her peers, she chases a story tip on a secret organization of teen urban explorers called “The Broken.” The group demands she complete a test before they let her write the story. While following the clues of their twisted scavenger hunt, she encounters Lex, a young paranormal investigator with a knack for computer hacking, and together they work to uncover the organization’s darkest secrets.

As they tag along on urban exploration missions, including an abandoned farmhouse, a vacant mall, and a haunted truck stop, they became entangled in the group’s inner fighting and their leader’s plans that turn out to be much more nefarious…and deadly…than they’d believed. Realizing her mistakes too late, Penelope will have to fight for her own life and the lives of her friends as she learns what it means to be one of the broken.

About the Author

Shelly X. Leonn is the author of The Broken Series. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, Shelly worked at her hometown newspaper as the web and youth editor. During her time advising the youth staff, Shelly realized her true calling was teaching. Her years in education have been spent in middle school and high school language arts classrooms. She is also an adjunct professor.

She and her two boys reside in Affton, and she enjoys reading, writing, outdoor activities, anime, video games, and other dorky pastimes.  Shelly is represented by Stephanie Hansen at Metamorphosis Literary Agency.

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#Book #Tour...Murder is a Debate...#YA #Mystery #Thriller

Murder is a Debate

by Brandy Nacole

Genre: YA Mystery Thriller 

Nora and her two best friends, Liv and Charlie, aren’t like most people. Nora is the private school kid; the rich girl, though everyone hates her. Liv and Charlie attend the run-down public school on the opposite side of town where the football team is a solid two and the art department was shut down due to funding. Their worlds should have never collided, but they had one common factor that brought them together, murder.

In an online mystery chat room, the three girls meet and decide to form The Murder Club. Each week one of the girls must come up with a murder scenario for the other two to solve. It’s fun. It’s active. It’s also deadly. 

When one of Nora’s classmates ends up dead, she’s suspicious of her new friends. His death mirrors the very same scenario Nora came up with in their previous meeting. As clues emerge, pointing more definitively at the members of the Murder Club, Nora begins digging for her own clues, bringing fantasy to reality. Could Liv and Charlie be involved, and if so why? 

They were all curious. Was one of them too curious?

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Gemini Brandy Nacole is a writer of urban fantasy books. She is the author of the Shadow World series and the Spiritual Discord series published by Ponahakeola Press. A reader from a young age, Brandy has always loved folklore and stories of beings that go bump in the night.

Brandy lives in Arkansas with her husband, three never stopping kids, two snooty cats, two very lazy bearded dragons, and one mellow turtle. She is a member of the Ozark Romance Authors in Springfield, Missouri. Whenever she’s not reading or writing, Brandy is spending her time outdoors wheeling, hiking, playing amateur photographer, and enjoying a good laugh.

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#Book #Blitz...Beasts of the Frozen Sun... #Fantasy #YA #Giveaway @JillCriswell @XpressoTours

Beasts of the Frozen Sun 

Jill Criswell 

(Frozen Sun Saga #1)

Publication date: August 6, 2019

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland–one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun–Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he’s been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.

As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

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EXCERPT:

Something made me stop.

There, sitting atop my father’s black warhorse, was a Westlander unlike any other. Long ashen hair trailed behind him. He was bare chested, as if he didn’t fear the threat of blades on his skin, and he radiated a sleek, savage sort of beauty.

His gaze locked on me.

Beautiful. Savage.

The Savage prodded his mount. Leaning to one side, he brought his axe crashing down into the Sons of Stone who ran at him, wielding his weapon like an extension of himself. My clan’s warriors fell. Blood splashed in waves across his skin.

His eyes never left mine. My limbs were heavy as boulders, stiff as plaster.

A voice called my name. Rhys rushed toward me, sword in hand. His eyes darted from me to the Savage, trying to reach me first.

The horse was coming. My legs wouldn’t move.

The Savage veered at the last second, passing between Rhys and me, so close his calf brushed my arm, and I shivered. He circled his horse back in our direction, and Rhys grabbed me, yanking me forward. The warhorse’s hooves pounded, nearly on top of us. We only made it a few steps before Rhys stumbled and choked, eyes widening. His hand slipped from my arm. His sword fell into the grass.

A battle-axe was buried between his shoulders.

My scream was the raw, wrenching keen of an animal. I caught Rhys as he collapsed, lowering him to the ground. I looked around wildly, calling for Father and Garreth.

The Savage leaped off his horse.

“Stay away!” I let go of Rhys and picked up his sword.

With a swift kick, the Savage knocked the weapon from my grip. I drew the dagger, and he slapped it away too. He pulled me to him, smelling my hair, running his fingers through it. I hammered my fists against him, but it did nothing. This close, I saw every detail of his face, his body. I absorbed them through a haze of shock.

Older than Garreth, younger than Father. Tall, muscled, with thick hair hanging down his back in braided ropes of silvery-white. Eyes a shade of greenish-gold, like a cat’s. Black ink crawling across one entire side of his body: up his stomach, chest, and neck, then back down the length of his arm to his fingertips, coiling along one jaw and cheek, to his forehead, disappearing into his scalp. Knotted patterns, with intricately etched claws and tails and reptilian heads interwoven between the twisted links.

If the other Westlanders were frost giants, he was a leviathan; if they were beasts, he was their king.

I struggled feebly, my palms smacking his chest. Anguish had torn my mind wide open, left my abilities untethered; my consciousness plunged into the depths of his soul. Except what I dove into was nothing. Colorless, shapeless, void of sensation. The space was starkly, infinitely empty. A barren abyss.

The Savage had no soul.

I pulled my hands free, snapping back into my body as the Savage grasped my chin. “What you see, soul-reader?” The words sounded cumbersome to his mouth. He took hold of my wrist, bending it to expose the scar of flame Reyker had marked me with, laughing like my scar was a joke meant to offend him. “He is here.”

The Savage thrust one of his hands into my hair, holding my head still, and the other tightened around my waist, crushing me against him. He pulled a delicate knife from his belt, pushing my hair back and sliding the stiletto behind my ear. The blade bit into my flesh in short, deep cuts. He was carving me. Marking me, just as Reyker had, only this felt far more violent. I whimpered as blood dripped down my neck. “Mine,” he said.

A threat and a promise.

Author Bio:

Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she's visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland). 

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