Sara Wright is here to tell us about Rising Ember, The Ember Crown book 1, YA dystopian fantasy.
There's also a great giveaway.
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A kingdom divided will burn
Rising Ember
The Ember Crown Book 1
by Sara Wright
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
Dangerous games. Kill or be killed. Can she
survive a king's ruthless arena?
Clarissa craves an escape. An orphan forced
into criminal acts with other kids by their caretaker, she longs to break free
and become a healer. But when an archenemy provokes a deadly confrontation, the
seventeen-year-old awakens hidden powers in an explosive and fiery defense.
Seized by soldiers and taken to the capital
along with her only friend, Clarissa trains alongside other slaves to fight in
the royal army. But surrounded by mysterious strangers and running low on
trust, the desperate captive fears graduation day will be her last.
Is Clarissa destined to die in chains?
Rising Ember
is the thrilling first book in the Forbidden Chronicles YA dystopian fantasy
series. If you like strong-willed heroines, nail-biting drama, and clean
slow-burn romance, then you’ll love Sara Wright’s action-packed adventure.
Buy Rising Ember to ignite destiny
today!
**Get signed
& special editions with maps, bookmarks & sprayed edges at Sara’s Store!**
Sara Wright is
the author of The Progenitor Chronicles and Forbidden Chronicles,
a YA dystopian fantasy series packed with rebellion, elemental powers, and
clean slow-burn romance.
She currently
lives on Earth, her favorite vacation planet, with her husband and their very
opinionated fur baby. But most days, she’s off exploring shattered kingdoms,
star-spanning civilizations, and the occasional multiverse with her lifelong
companions: Imagination and Creativity.
Raised on bedtime
stories and fueled by a steady diet of fantasy, sci-fi, and a sweet topping of
romance, Sara now writes tales for readers who crave action, heart, and hope.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cycling, hiking, or singing dramatically
to songs she swears are soundtracks to her books.
A.E. Faulkner is here to tell us about Upheaval, The Divided States series book 1, YA Dystopian Fantasy.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Some secrets were never meant to be uncovered
Upheaval
The Divided States Series Book 1
by A.E. Faulkner
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
The Divided States of America, 2121
A hundred years after the Great Infection Spread swept across countries and
continents, barriers rose and borders closed. Nations isolated themselves in
protective siloes as survivors faced starvation, disease and the daunting task
of rebuilding. The United States was carved into three Territories, each ruled
independently.
Today, the three Societal Order leaders ration everything – clothing, food,
energy – because demand drowns supply. To conserve resources, citizens are
declared either day dwellers or night dwellers, essentially limiting their
existence to 12 hours each day.
Where you’re born is where you
stay. Until now.
Everly Scott is preparing to graduate from her final year of schooling when
she’s chosen to serve on an inter-Territory delegation. As one of twelve
delegates, she will help assess and recommend updates to the Alliance
Agreement, which outlines trade and peace relations between the Territories.
Everly embarks on the journey of a lifetime – crossing the Xone walls to learn
about people and places that have always been well out of reach. It’s the
greatest opportunity she’s ever had. And also the most dangerous one.
Secrets lurk within each Territory and
Everly’s about to find out what happens to those who uncover them.
A. E. Faulkner was born and raised in Pennsylvania. When
she’s not lost in a book, she loves spending time with her husband and two
sons, especially while hiking, biking, or exploring nature. She loves almost
everything about nature—ticks excluded, and one of her biggest fears is the
repercussions we will face when nature can no longer tolerate human
destruction. As such, she never tires of reading dystopian-themed tales.
Stories about the end of the world absolutely fascinate her.
Jacqui Dempster is here to tell us about The Phantoms of Pittenweem, PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers, book 2, a YA teen paranormal adventure.
There's also a great giveaway.
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When PJ and his team of Paranormal Pursuers unearth the
sinister secrets of the Scottish village of Pittenweem's witch-hunting past,
they must confront the malevolent spirit of a young boy to save the villagers
from chaos and terror.
The Phantoms of
Pittenweem
PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 2
by Jacqui Dempster
Genre: YA, Teen Paranormal Adventure
After moving from New York to Edinburgh to live with his
aunt, PJ very quickly discovered the parallel worlds of the living and the dead
when he was forced to battle the evil Mackenzie Poltergeist at Greyfriars
Kirkyard.
Now, PJ and his fellow ghost-hunting friends are invited to
stay in the picturesque fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife, a place which,
unbeknown to them, has haunting echoes of its witch-hunting past.
However, their holiday promises to be anything but peaceful,
as witchcraft and superstition threatens to bring terror and chaos to the
villagers and the Paranormal Pursuers must face off with the malevolent spirit
of a young boy, Patrick Morton. Can they find a way to prevent him from
reviving the dark and sinister past of Pittenweem before it’s too late?
After his mom dies, PJ reluctantly leaves his New York home
and everyone he loves, to live with his Aunt Katie in Edinburgh. A series of
strange events begin when his aunt’s elderly neighbour and her cat Azrael
convince him that his mom, weirdly, is still very much with him.
At a bereavement counselling group, PJ makes a new group of
friends, all of whom have lost loved ones. Drawn together by their shared
experiences, they soon discover they have something else in common; an interest
in the supernatural. Freya is the daughter of a white witch, Sunny has a
scientific and enquiring mind and Shuggie, a superfan of ghost hunting
programmes. Led by PJ, they try to prove that there is life after death and
that their loved ones are still with them. The team receives strange messages leading
them to investigate Greyfriars Kirkyard where they experience terrifying
paranormal activity and PJ is drawn into the clutches of the evil Mackenzie
Poltergeist after reciting a famous rhyme that invites the restless spirit to
draw back the bolt of his scary mausoleum to allow him entry. There, he finds
himself in a fight of good against evil with the ghost of Sir George Mackenzie.
“If you are, or know someone who is a teenager with a newfound interest in the
supernatural and paranormal, this is the book for you.” The Courier and Advertiser (Fife Edition)
“PJ and his friends make a great group of characters, and there’s lots of
laughter to be had as well as scares, while ‘auld reekie’ provides the perfect
backdrop for these ghostly goings-on.”LoveReading4Kids & LoveReading4Schools
“This is a terrific story for teen readers to devour on a spooky autumn
evening.” The School Librarian
(TSL)
Jacqui Dempster
qualified as a solicitor in 1999 but now works as a malpractice investigator
for an education and qualifications organisation. She lives in Dunfermline,
Fife, with partner, Andrew, and various ‘borrowed’ doggies who visit regularly.
Jacqui loves dogs, especially Jack Russell Terriers and thinks if they ruled
the world, it would be a better place! The doggy motifs on the cover of her
books represent Dug and Buddy who belong to the characters, Shuggie and PJ. Dug
is based on Jacqui’s own beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, and her
grandpup, Gus, both of whom have sadly passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Jacqui loves
theatre and ran performing arts schools for young people in Fife. She produced
and directed various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. When not either working or
writing, she loves to paint and crochet, and of course, read books.
Her first
children’s book in this series, PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers– The Mackenzie
Poltergeist, was published by The Book Guild in 2021.
Jacqui explains:
“The supernatural has featured in my life since I was young, with a grandfather
who saw ghosts regularly and other members of the family, on my Welsh side,
having strange experiences and even dabbling in magic! I studied on the
Edinburgh University Koestler Parapsychology course to learn about the science
of the Paranormal. I have also been on a few ghost investigations with mixed
results.
I live in Fife
nowadays and often visit the beautiful towns and villages within the county.
Fife was one of the famous areas where ‘witches’ were persecuted, and the story
of the Pitteweem Witches is particularly well known. In my book, the story is
told for a younger reader involving a contemporary allegory about one of the
young characters, Freya, who is a Wiccan. The subject of Scotland’s witches
came up in 2022, when an apology was issued by the then First Minister of
Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon to those persecuted, tortured and executed, and MSPs
were invited to consider legislation to pardon them.
I enjoy writing
about various places we’ve visited, and especially about any with spooky
stories attached on my Medium Daily Digest blog.”
Jacqui loves
history and enjoys embracing fact with fiction in her books which she hopes
encourages not only a love of reading in young people but also the desire to
learn about events of the past which often influence the present and the
future.
Jamie Magee is here to tell us about her YA paranormal romance Insight, Insight Series Book 1.
There's also a great giveaway.
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She’s marked by stars, hunted by shadows—
and destined for a
love that spans worlds.
Insight
Insight Series Book 1
by Jamie Magee
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
"Spellbinding
lyrically crafted fantasy series." Sarah Dodd
"Magic,
action, and paranormal romance offer an escapism that will engross readers—the
story stays with you, unforgettable." - M. Mass
Cursed with an empathic insight, Willow Haywood has lived her life as a proud
introvert in a small town. Her world shatters when a nightmare brands her wrist
with a star. The foreboding omen forces her family to unveil ancient secrets
that bend the boundaries of reality, dreams, and dimensions.
In the chaos of this revelation, Willow focuses on the good dreams she had
every night of her life. Her instinct promised her that the angel in them was
real, that he was her soul mate, and together they would be an unbeatable force
in the promised war of young gods.
The conflicted path to him was easier to face than the mystery, magic, and
danger haunting the shadows of the cosmic storms on the horizon. With or
without him… her nightmare would soon be her reality if she did not flee to the
dimension her soul once roamed.
Guided by love,
tormented by fear, and hunted by those who would twist her gifts for their
sinister ends, Willow’s journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and the
relentless pull of destiny.
Insight is a spellbinding tale of love,
prophecy, and the courage to find your true self. Perfect for fans of young
adult fantasy and multidimensional adventures, it’s an unforgettable story that
will stay with you long after the last page.
Are you ready to step into the storm? The journey begins
here.
"We lost ourselves in the teen
angst of Fallen, and Hush, Hush. We found courage in the pages of Hunger Games
and Divergent. Our imagination was on fire inside of Mortal Instruments, Throne
of Glass, and The Red Queen. And now we have the compelling, enigmatic,
character-driven thrill ride of the long-reaching contemporary fantasy series
INSIGHT." Colleen Riley
Jamie
Magee is not your average author—she’s also an astrologer and the host of Scheduling Fate, a podcast where insight
meets inspiration. With over 22
published novels spanning Young Adult, New Adult, and Contemporary genres,
Jamie has captivated readers with stories that stir the heart and awaken the
soul.
Her
passion for storytelling is matched by her love of astrology. Whether she’s
guiding you through fictional dimensions or decoding the deeper meaning of
life’s turning points, Jamie helps her audience align with purpose, embrace
their own rhythm, and schedule fate
with intention.
Phoenix Ward is here to tell us about Sins of the Fire, Sins of the Fire #1, fantasy, New Adult, Young Adult.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Sins of the Fire
Phoenix Ward
(Sins of the Fire, #1)
Publication date: September 13th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Young Adult
No one knows dragons coexisted with humans.
Ancient times long past, we shared magic, weapons and even our very souls with these creatures. Society’s connection between them spanned the test of time, through art, stories, and spoken word. Yet though depictions remain, they no longer exist.
Christian armies, believing these creatures to be devils, laid siege to end their species in a wild pursuit of their Promised Land. Bloodshed for nearly two centuries suddenly came to an end. Concurrently, those winged beasts, admired and feared, were extinguished without a trace.
It’s 2028, and the Crusades are talked about in my college classes. One dragon was able to escape it all by sealing itself in a blade. If such a blade existed, and anyone were to lift it today, they’d reignite the war long dormant—An affront on God himself.
I’m Kane, by the way. Kane Wynde. And this is Mysherra, the affront to God.
“You shall be tied to the blade, for as long as your mind and spirit remain. Is this acceptable?”
The earth shook, and the rumble of fire howled from outside of the cave. An ultimatum laid before me. To bind myself within
the blade would mean giving up my freedom for eternity. To fight a war that threatened to burn the earth to its core would mean
my death. The Gods have brought upon us a calamity no mortal could ever hope to quell. Humans who were once close to us
rallied for our demise. Our kind torched them, their lands, and their ilk in sport. Whichever side won, there would be no true
victor. Only ash.
Would it be acceptable to live the rest of my life as a weapon? Would it be better if I died fighting a lost cause?
Imprisonment or death; my options were narrow.
Looking down at the human, dressed in burns, I pondered what he thought. He bore no hatred. He held no contempt for my
kind after what happened. He agreed to fight alongside me with eyes ablaze with passion. I wondered why. What would make
someone turn a blind eye to the wounds inflicted by a beast of my caliber? What allowed him to grace my hand, still slick with the
residue of death, and find camaraderie in the midst of devastation?
The silence of the cave was beginning to draw on my senses, my own thoughts starting to cloud the noise of the carnage.
We agreed to fight together, but fear was a wise and stringent guide. Regardless of it, I had to make a choice.
“This is acceptable.”
“In doing this, you will relinquish your body. Your essence shall be ripped completely from within. Your magic, your
strength and your flames will be in the hands of your wielder. Is this acceptable?”
My heart shuddered. It would hurt. I would die, yet I would live. What would happen to my body? Would my heart sit in
silence, left to rot in its empty temple? Would my flesh be torn away with my spirit? Again, I looked towards the human. His gaze
held mine. Though twisted and bloated, he held me in their comfort. He smiled. He did not need to reassure me with words nor
tender touch.
“This is acceptable.”
“The process shall span the turn of the moon. With the dawn, you shall awaken in your new form. Do you accept the terms
of the pact?”
“I accept.”
The dragon’ s eyes flashed. “The terms have been set, and the pact is complete. May fortune favor you, Mysherra.”
As the sword began to gleam, I closed my eyes.
Tingling spread across my body as the sensation of my insides were pulled from within me. And thus, through a pain that
transcended anything inflicted upon my hide of scales, I accepted my fate.
Author Bio:
Phoenix Ward is an indie black writer, and educator from Philadelphia. He has worked in the field of education for over five years, teaching all grades Mathematics and English. When he’s not writing, he is composing music using Logic Pro X, or tutoring children on subjects they struggle in. Currently, he lives in Philadelphia with his dog and cat.
An avid world-builder, Phoenix has created many stories from youth to adulthood, but none have captivated him as much as his latest work Sins of the Fire, which combines his passion for storytelling with his deep understanding of human nature. He draws inspiration from the vibrant city life of Philadelphia and his own experiences as an educator, infusing his narratives with authenticity and depth.
In addition to his work as a writer and educator, Phoenix is committed to supporting young creatives in their journeys. He actively encourages students and adults alike to seek a way to create their own stories. Everyone has a message to share, and doing so in story is the best way to do so.