#PublicationDayBlogBlitz Knowing You by Samantha Tonge

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Knowing You by Samantha Tonge. It's a story about mental health, body image, self-esteem and confidence.

About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and her passion, second to spending time with her husband and children, is writing. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Follow @SamTongeWriter @canelo_co on Twitter, on Facebook

Visit samanthatonge.co.uk

Buy Knowing You

About the book
An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...

Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Mable and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says...

Review
Violet shares the love of a good story with her boyfriend. With her as a junior editor and Lenny working his way up to fully-fledged agent, they both enjoy finding the kind of book that will intrigue the masses. When she finds out Lenny is cheating she is distraught and feels as if she isn't good enough for anyone.

She decides she has to change her image and become more like other women to catch the eye of someone worth the change she puts herself through.

It's interesting how Violet is aware of the external change she has undergone, and yet appears to be completely unaware of her own physical body image. Her body dysmorphia is kept so well hidden that even she seems to be confused by the changes.

As the world around her starts to acknowledge the changes she has made, Violet confuses concern for criticism and becomes defensive when her colleagues try to step in and tell her that old Violet was enough.

What starts out as a story about betrayal and jealousy slowly melds into one about a young woman who still hides a frightened and traumatised little girl inside her. A young girl who finds the wrong kind of friends to support her, as a child and now again as an adult. The yay sayers, who condone her more manipulative actions and coerce her into being more pushy, are driving their own agenda. Young troublemaker Flint when she was a child and now the subtle and determined Bella.

It's a story about mental health, body image, self-esteem and confidence. I liked the way the author begins on a completely different note and then uses one storyline to almost hide the second one, which is exactly what happens in real life. The furtiveness, the denial and need to hide her emotions and insecurities become almost like a second person living right inside her.

Buy Knowing You at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Canelo; pub date 14 Mar. 2019  Buy Knowing You at Amazon com, Buy at Itunes, Google Play, Kobo,

Read my review Forgive Me Not by Samantha Tonge.

#CoverReveal Knowing You by Samantha Tonge

Yes, I know it's absolutely stunning!. It's vibrant, sexy and a wee bit sinister too. I am just loving the colour combo! The #CoverReveal was well worth the wait. It is available to purchase on the 14th March 2019, but you can pre-order it right now. Pre-order/Buy Knowing You.

About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and her passion, second to spending time with her husband and children, is writing. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Follow @SamTongeWriter @canelo_co on Twitter, on Facebook

Visit samanthatonge.co.uk

Buy Knowing You

About  - Knowing You
An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...

Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Mable and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says...

Knowing You is about friendship and knowing who to trust with your deepest secrets; it’s about taking control of your life and not being afraid to stand out. Perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan, Gail Honeyman and Amanda Prowse.

Pre-order/Buy Knowing You at Amazon Uk, 
Pre-order/Buy Knowing You at Amazon com
Buy at Itunes, Google Play, Kobo, or via Goodreads
Publisher: Canelo; pub date 14 Mar. 2019

#BlogTour Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife by Sun Chara

This BlogTour offers emotional turmoil and a fight to keep a child as part of the story of Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife by Sun Chara. A couple fighting against their real feelings and focusing on their pain and anger instead. Don't forget to enter the Giveaway below to Win an e-copy of Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife and a Greek style bracelet (Open Internationally)

About the Author
Sun Chara, an Amazon top 100 bestseller, writes sexy, hip ‘n fun contemporary romance for HarperImpulse. JABBIC winner, Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella launched her writing career, spinning the 'global millionaires’ series'. She makes her home in southern California, and has appeared on stage/film to rave reviews in How the Other Half Loves, General Hospital, and McGee and Me. With a Masters Degree in Education, and membership in SAG/AFTRA and Romance Writers of America, she enjoys sipping Frappuccinos topped with whipped cream/sprinkles, and dancing on the beach…making everyday a celebration!

Follow @sunchara3 and @HarperImpulse on Twitter
Or connect with suncharaauthorpage on Facebook
Buy Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife

About the book
A tempestuous fling…a marriage…a betrayal?
When Michalis Leonadis’ bride jumps ship at the first sign of rough waters, he’s annoyed. When she costs him a marriage and a billion-dollar deal, he’s furious; but when he discovers she ditched him whilst harboring a secret…he’s out for revenge.

Ex-model, Julia Armstrong gave up everything for Michalis but when she catches him with another woman, crushed, she jets out of his life. The proud Greek blasts back into her world seeking retribution—in exchange for a divorce, he demands she relinquish the one thing she cannot. Her daughter. Only one other bargaining chip remains…Julia herself.

Review
Julia and Michalis seem to be the perfect couple on the surface, but that image crumbles when she catches him with his mistress. In response she takes herself and her secret, and hightails it out of town. Over a year later her husband turns up supposedly wanting to settle their divorce.

Instead he is determined to take their child, the secret she has been coveting and taking care of by herself. Every instinct she has is telling her to run and hide, if it wasn't for that pesky physical attraction she has to him. The two of them are drawn to each other like magnets.

The character of Michalis has a whiff of romanticised misogyny, which is perfectly normal in this genre and type of story. Come with me now and do anything I want you to do for thirty days or I will take from you what you love the most. Caveman tactics and blackmail to convince the woman you subconsciously love, but openly despise to 'help' her to make the right decision.

The focus of the story is a series of misunderstandings, which lead to a heartbreaking crevice in the relationship of a couple who love and lust for each other, and yet are afraid to admit it.

Chara brings back the passion and whirlwind of emotions of 80's bodice-rippers, but in a modern day setting. It's perfect for readers looking for a little romance mixed with titillating sexual attraction, and a tug-of-war of emotions.

Buy Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Publisher: Harper Impulse

Enter the Giveaway below to – Win an e-copy of Greek Millionaire, Unruly Wife and a Greek style bracelet (Open Internationally - The design of bracelet will vary depending on where in the world you live.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway (*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.*)

#BlogTour Cuttin' Heads by D.A. Watson

Today it's a time for a bit of the gruesome and scary, the unexplained and unexpected, as we finish off the BlogTour for Cuttin' Heads by D.A. Watson. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end to win a signed copy of Cuttin' Heads!

About the Author
Prizewinning author D.A. Watson spent several years working in bars, restaurants and call centres before going back to university with the half-arsed plan of becoming a music teacher. Halfway through his degree at the University of Glasgow, he discovered he was actually better at writing, and unleashed his debut novel, In the Devil's Name, on an unsuspecting public in the summer of 2012. Plans of a career in education left firmly in the dust, he later gained his masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of Stirling.

He has since published two more novels, The Wolves of Langabhat and Cuttin’ Heads, a handful of non-fiction pieces, several short stories including Durty Diana, which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2016, and the Burns parody Tam O' Shatner, which in 2017 came runner up in the Dunedin Robert Burns Poetry Competition, and was a competition winner at the Falkirk Storytelling Festival.
He lives with his family in Western Scotland.

Follow @davewatsonbooks

Follow D.A. Watson on Amazon or Facebook

Buy Cuttin' Heads

About the book
Aldo Evans is a desperate man. Fired from his job and deeply in debt, he struggles to balance a broken family life with his passion for music. Luce Figura is a troubled woman. A rhythmic perfectionist, she is haunted by childhood trauma and scorned by her religiously devout mother. Ross McArthur is a wiseass. Orphaned as an infant and raised by the state, his interests include game shows, home-grown weed, occasional violence and the bass guitar.

They are Public Alibi. A rock n’ roll band going nowhere fast.

When the sharp-suited, smooth talking producer Gappa Bale offers them a once in a lifetime chance to make their dreams come true, they are caught up in a maelstrom of fame, obsession, music and murder. Soon, Aldo, Luce and Ross must ask themselves: is it really better to burn out than to fade away?

Review
'Tell me, my friend, have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?'

The band members of Public Alibi get the chance to do so, albeit unknowingly and perhaps not exactly completely of their own free will.

If you were given the chance to fulfil your wildest ambition, would you be willing to make a deal with an ancient evil being to get what you want? Fame, fortune, infamy and the adoration of the people? To do so you would have to forget about everything and everyone important to you though. With that in mind, would you still want to sign on the dotted line?

Aldo, Luce and Ross all have their weaknesses, which make them vulnerable to the proposition of a record deal presented to them by Gappa Bale. Bale draws them into his web and preys on their inner fears and worst nightmares. At the same time his charming snake tongue speaks to their most intimate desires and deepest emotions. He plays with them like a cat in a room full of confused mice.

Although this is based on the age-old tale of evil vs good and the temptations we tend to succumb to, Watson has infused it with his own brand of menacing wickedness and his in-depth knowledge of music, the world of musicians and instruments. The reader can almost taste the passion, the need and the desire that courses through the veins of dedicated musicians.

It is a compelling tale that makes you wonder how much of it is based on the fictional meanderings of the writer and how much is so close to reality that it bites, just like a sharp intake of breath in a smoky room. It may be horror, but it is also a close uncomfortable look at the lengths some of us will go to, to achieve what they want, even if it's at the expense of others.

Buy Cuttin' Heads at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Kindle edition

Enter the Giveaway below to win a signed copy of Cuttin' Heads

a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Terms and Conditions –Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above.
The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.**

#BlogTour Game Show by Allie Cresswell

It's my pleasure to host the BlogTour for Game Show by Allie Cresswell today. This story is a sign of the times and it takes a frank look at human nature. It is brutal and unforgiving.

About the Author
I have been writing stories since I could hold a pencil and by the time I was in Junior School I was writing copiously and sometimes almost legibly.

I did, however, manage a BA in English and Drama from Birmingham University and an MA in English from Queen Mary College, London. Marriage and motherhood put my writing career on hold for some years until 1992 when I began work on Game Show.

In the meantime I worked as a production manager for an educational publishing company, an educational resources copywriter, a bookkeeper for a small printing firm, and was the landlady of a country pub in Yorkshire, a small guest house in Cheshire and the proprietor of a group of boutique holiday cottages in Cumbria. Most recently I taught English Literature to Lifelong learners.

Nowadays I write as full time as three grandchildren, a husband, two Cockapoos and a large garden will permit.

Connect with Allie Cresswell on Facebook: alliescribbler/
Visit allie-cresswell.com
Buy Game Show

About the book
It is 1992, and in a Bosnian town a small family cowers in their basement. The Serbian militia is coming - an assorted rabble of malcontents given authority by a uniform and inflamed by the idea that they’re owed something, big-time, and the Bosnians are going to pay. When they get to the town they will ransack the houses, round up the men and rape the women. Who’s to stop them? Who’s to accuse them? Who will be left, to tell the tale?
Meanwhile, in a nondescript northern UK town a group of contestants make their way to the TV studios to take part in a radical new Game Show. There’s money to be won, and fun to be had. They’ll be able to throw off their inhibitions and do what they want because they’ll all be in disguise and no-one will ever know.
In a disturbing denouement, war and game meld into each other as action and consequence are divided, the words ‘blame’ and ‘fault’ have no meaning and impunity reigns .
Game Show asks whether the situation which fostered the Bosnian war, the genocide in Rwanda, the rise of so-called Islamic State in Syria and the ethnic cleansing in Myanmar could ever happen in the West. The answer will shock you.

Review
I adore the kind of premise that explores human nature. The contestants for this game show are a mixed bunch of individuals, so the choices they make and the reactions they have are bound to differ. A privileged wealthy housewife seeks the thrill, as opposed to the love deprived exhausted multiple mother on a tight budget, who may be willing to be more cut-throat to win the show.

At the beginning of the book the show is set to the topic of Native Americans. The scenes are bloodthirsty, wild and barbaric, so aside from the obvious cultural appropriation going on, there is also the aspect of depicting the stereotype and misconceptions of their culture. Very much a privileged white man's idea of amusement, and another indicator of the 'do anything for high ratings' mentality of our era.

The West has already experienced the Holocaust, so the answer to the question in the blurb is yes it can happen in the West. In Western European countries the far right is sitting in governments once more, swastikas and hate crimes are in abundance. In the US the alt-right marches with Tiki torches.Today, at this moment in time, Western society is being forced into a similar scenario, a division between Muslims and non-Muslims, caused by the terrorism of fundamentalists and radicals.

Cresswell mentions the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, as one of her inspirations to explore the psychology of human nature, and indeed confirm what the majority of us already know through history or perhaps even personal experience.

Given the right set of circumstances and motivation the majority of people will show the base animal instinct of human nature. Survival of the fittest, and above all power and control over others. A certain number of us will lose all inhibition and show ourselves capable of extreme violence and of inflicting pain upon those we perceive to be weaker and deserving of it.

The background of the story is set in the 1990's to the background of the Bosnian conflict. At this point I have to say that despite constant reminders that we all never forget the atrocities of the Nazi regime, we are probably all guilty of ignoring the genocides that have taken place since then, the Bosnian War being a perfect example of that.

There is an interesting rant by Piers (producer) given in the first half of the book, when he more or less denies responsibility for any actions or events that place during the show, because in his eyes any person unable to recognise right from wrong has no moral fibre anyway. Thereby placing the blame solely in the hands of the single perpetrators. Now, don't get me wrong they are to blame, but the person inciting them is just as culpable, actually more so.

Our television screens are awash with game shows and reality tv shows nowadays. Japanese game shows are a prime example of the balancing act between fun and bizarrely extreme heaviour. Participants are asked to act this way, they are primed and rewarded for it, and viewers lap it up. There is a market for it, and the boundaries are becoming less visible as the years go on.

There are two storylines in Game Show, both of which could survive as a standalone plot. Combined the juxtaposition of these two storylines makes the reader aware of the parallels in human behaviour in either situation. Simultaneously it also highlights the ludicrous and frankly abhorrent fact that while the rest of the world is engaged in mundane daily chores, somewhere else men, women and children are being slaughtered.

Cresswell doesn't intend for this to be an easy read. Unfortunately it reminds us of the chaos and violence of human nature. How easily the masses are led, and how fragile our masks of civility are. Given the right set of circumstances the most docile human being can turn into a sadistic killer, and the most brash could possibly crumble at the first sign of adversity.

Game Show is about life within the confines of societal boundaries, and also when it is void of any boundaries at all. Is there really any difference between the two?

Buy Game Show at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

#CoverReveal The Picture by Roger Bray

I am thrilled to share the Cover Reveal for The Picture by Roger Bray and am looking forward to the Blogtour for The Picture, which kicks off on the 22nd of April.

About The Picture
A warehouse in Japan used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of the 2011 Tsunami. A distraught, young Japanese woman in dishevelled clothes sits on a box, holding her infant daughter. Ben, a US rescue volunteer, kneels in front of her offering comfort. They hug, the baby between them. The moment turns into an hour as the woman sobs into his shoulder; mourning the loss of her husband, her home, the life she knew. A picture is taken, capturing the moment. It becomes a symbol; of help freely given and of the hope of the survivors. The faces in the picture cannot be recognised, and that is how Ben likes it. No celebrity, thanks not required.
But others believe that being identified as the person in the picture is their path to fame and fortune. Ben stands, unknowingly, in their way, but nothing a contract killing cannot fix.

About the Author
I have always loved writing; putting words onto a page and bringing characters to life. I can almost feel myself becoming immersed into their lives, living with their fears and triumphs. Thus, my writing process becomes an endless series of questions. What would she or he do, how would they react, is this in keeping with their character? Strange as it sounds, I don’t like leaving characters in cliffhanging situations without giving them an ending, whichever way it develops.
My life to date is what compels me to seek a just outcome, the good will overcome and the bad will be punished. More though, I tend to see my characters as everyday people in extraordinary circumstances, but in which we may all find our selves if the planets align wrongly or for whatever reason you might consider.

Of course, most novels are autobiographical in some way. You must draw on your own experiences of life and from events you have experienced to get the inspiration. My life has been an endless adventure. Serving in the Navy, fighting in wars, serving as a Police officer and the experiences each one of those have brought have all drawn me to this point, but it was a downside to my police service that was the catalyst for my writing.

Medically retired after being seriously injured while protecting a woman in a domestic violence situation I then experienced the other side of life. Depression and rejection. Giving truth to the oft said saying that when one door closes another opens I pulled myself up and enrolled in college gaining bachelor and master degrees, for my own development rather than any professional need. The process of learning, of getting words down onto the page again relit my passion for writing in a way that I hadn’t felt since high school.

So here we are, two books published and another on track.

Where it will take me I have no idea but I am going to enjoy getting there and if my writing can bring some small pleasure into people’s lives along the way, then I consider that I will have succeeded in life.

Connect with Roger Bray:
Follow @rogerbray22 on Twitter or RogerBray/Author on Facebook
Visit rogerbraybooks.com
To Buy The Picture go to Amazon com (The Picture will appear on the buy pages closer to the pub date. I will update the post as soon as the buy links appear)
Buy The Picture on Smashwords
The Picture on Goodreads
Read Psychosis by Roger Bray

Come back for my turn on the Blogtour for The Picture by Roger Bray on the 24th of April! There will be a fantastic Q&A with Roger Bray and my review. Follow the tour starting on the 22nd of April and read what my fellow bloggers have to say about #ThePicture.

Read The Picture by Roger Bray

#BlogTour Nature of the Witch by Helen T. Norwood

Today is my stop on the BlogTour for Nature of the Witch by Helen T. Norwood. A venture into urban fantasy with a lot of potential for future development. At the end of this post you have the chance to win a signed copy of Nature of the Witch by Helen T Norwood (Open to UK only).

#About the Author
Helen lives in the UK with her husband, two children and one diva-like cat called Tiger. Helen, like many others, was captivated in her childhood by books from the likes of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton and any books which took her to new worlds and showed her places of magic and mystery. She has enjoyed writing and creating her own magical worlds from a young age. She is currently writing the second book in the 'Nature of the Witch' trilogy which will be out soon.
Follow @ThinkFitFoodFam (Helen Norwood) on Twitter or Helen T. Norwood on Goodreads
Visit thinkfitfoodfamily.com
Buy Nature of the Witch

About the book
Many years ago, magic prevailed in Britain. It was a time when chosen women followed a path forged by Mother Nature herself; a time of witchcraft, of the brotherhood of the Gwithiaz and of the terrifying Creatures.

This has all passed from memory a long time ago. But now, magic has returned. Kiera is the first witch the world has seen in centuries, while Jack must learn the ways of the Gwithiaz. They must not only master their crafts, but also overcome their differences and work together if they are to survive the dark enemy that lurks in the shadows.

In the rugged Cornish landscape where it first began, the two face the dreaded Kasadow: an ancient evil that has awakened and is ready to destroy them, and their magic, once and for all.

Review
The epilogue introduces a fairly complex premise of witches, the brotherhood of the Gwithiaz and bloodthirsty Creatures. The Gwithiaz are sworn to protect the witches, who are selected by Mother Nature as her daughters on earth and given powers to boot. The Creatures are set on destroying, actually more or less eating, every single witch.

Fast forward many centuries and the last Gwithiaz is tasked with waiting for and finding the last witch, and everything is love, peace and harmony. Oh wait, maybe not because it turns out there are still a few Creatures running around looking for some crunchy delicious witches to snack on.

Nature of the Witch is about trust, friendship and learning to control your own power. Mother Nature and the natural ability we all have within us, and the way we can use it.

The premise allows for more books to follow in this story. The reader will want to know where Kiera goes from here. Are there any more of her kind out there? Will she learn to control and use her powers? Are the Gwithiaz completely trustworthy and do they really have a fatal Achilles heel?

Norwood presents an initially intricate epilogue and then eases into a story that is undemanding and yet intriguing, which is an interesting contrast and one that equates to more readers. A small cast of characters puts the focus on dialogue and the storyline. It's a read with a lot of potential.

Buy Nature of the Witch at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Giveaway – Win a signed copy of Nature of the Witch by Helen T Norwood (Open to UK only). 

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#BookBirthdayBlitz Ashael Rising by Shona Kinsella

Join me today to celebrate the Book Birthday Blitz for Ashael Rising by Shona Kinsella. Find out all about this debut fantasy novel and read my review. You can also win a signed copy of Ashael Rising (see giveaway below).

About the Author
Shona Kinsella is the author of Ashael Rising, (Unbound, 2017) the first in her series, The Vessel of KalaDene. She is also one of the editors of the British Fantasy Society’s fiction publication, Horizons. When she is not writing or wrangling her three children, she can usually be found with her nose in a book.

Follow @shona_kinsella on Twitter or ShonaKinsellaAuthor on Facebook

Visit shonakinsella.com

Buy Ashael Rising (The Vessel of KalaDene book 1)

About the book
Ashael is a hunter-gatherer woman, apprenticed to Bhearra, the healer and spiritual leader of their tribe.

The Zanthar are invaders from another world who extend their own lives by stealing the life-force of everything around them. They were last seen on KalaDene 200 years ago. They have returned, looking for The Vessel, a being prophesied to hold the life-force of the land.

Iwan is a slave to the Zanthar, descendant of those taken as slaves the last time the Zanthar visited this world. He is sent out as a spy, while his mother is held hostage to ensure his compliance.

When Ashael meets Iwan in the forest, neither realise that she is the one the Zanthar are looking for. The fate of KalaDene and all of its people rests on her shoulders.

Review
The Zanthar are an ancient race and the enemies of the so-called Cams, which are small communities of people who live from and off the planet they inhabit. They are a peaceful people and believe in the strength and powers of their healers. One of those healers is Bhearra and she is training a young woman called Ashael. The young woman seems to have more than an affinity for healing. In fact recently she has started to do more than she should be capable of.

The Zanthar think she is part of a prophecy, a vessel of some sort that will allow them to regain power they lost many centuries ago. They place a spy in the small community to weed out the so-called vessel, in an attempt to kidnap her and usurp her power.

Ashael has no idea where the power comes from, and she certainly has no idea how to wield it, which could mean the difference between life and death. The Zanthar also don't seem to be completely convinced she is the magical being in question or rather how to get the vessel to work in their favour.

Loyalty and trust play a pivotal role in this story. Would you betray someone you love to save another? How do you choose who to save in that situation? Then there is the question of endless power corrupting, is Ashael in danger of being corrupted by this newly acquired status?

This is quite a strong debut, which is not an easy feat when it comes to fantasy. I think Kinsella has tossed her training wheels aside and is well on her way to navigating the book world with skill and a lot of creativity. It will be interesting to see where she takes The Vessel of Kaladene.

Buy Ashael Rising at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Many thanks to @shona_kinsella & @rararesources #RachelsRandomResources
Giveaway – Win a signed copy of Ashael Rising (Open Internationally) click the link below to enter
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