Book Review: Tainted Waters by Lucretia Stanhope #darkfantasy #paranormal

Tainted Waters takes place in a world where witches, light elves, and dark elves are in perpetual conflict. A cold war between the group simmers and it won't take much to spark a hot war. Despite the inherent animosity, strange allegiances form between witches and elves. But can anyone really trust anyone else? Trusting your natural enemy for benefit and survival is the theme at the heart of Stanhope's novel.

A coven of witches and a clan of dark elves share a forest, both want access to its resources. Their forays into the woods bring them in deadly contact and conflict with one another. Alice--half light elf and half witch--is a new member of the coven. As many of the characters point out, Alice shouldn't exist. A union between a light elf and witch shouldn't happen, but she does exist and her mixed blood gives her unique abilities which makes her dangerous to everyone. Alice is young and still in training, hardly aware of her strengths.

Someone in the coven sends her to a cave to search for nettles. The cave is the home of the dark elves that share the forest. Alice is captured and questioned. She would have been killed straight away and cut up for her bloody bits but the dark elves are intrigued by her lineage. They also have a problem. They believe a witch has poisoned their water supply and the leader of the clan decides to use Alice to remove the hex. Alice realizes she was sent to the cave to die. Someone in her coven wants to be rid of her and maybe start a war. Alice decides to help the dark elves with their water. She doesn't have a lot of choices. Complications abound as Alice discovers her worst enemies might be her best friends.

If you enjoy stories about magic and twisted allegiances where it's not clear anyone can be trusted, you'll love Tainted Waters.

Book Review of The Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter

I chanced onto Dana Chamblee Carpenter’s Bohemian Gospel, part of her Bohemian Trilogy while searching for other novels online, and I’m glad I did. I’ve read the first two books and I’m onto the third, a rare thing for me, as I usually lose interest after the beginning of the second book. It is a dark, historical fantasy that moves back and forth through time, and begins in Thirteenth Century Bohemia. It provides lots of info about old religions, churches and bibles of various types, which might also be a deal-breaker for me, as I am not religious in the typical church-y way. Except it is so interesting!

The trilogy is quite the page-turner. Part of the appeal is Carpenter’s great, quirky characters, and the intensely wrought romance.

A girl simply called Mouse knows no other home than a monastery in Bohemia. And though the priest who cares for her calls her Little Angel, she learns that her father is the Devil himself.

Indeed, she has special powers: of hearing, memory and of healing—both of herself and others. When the young King Ottakar comes to the church badly wounded, she provides healing and intelligent counsel, their bond grows… and grows, to the point of a fierce love. But she has secrets, and he is bound by the parameters of protocol. Even if it includes marrying for tradition, not love.

I highly recommend this series if you like thrills, historical details, deeply wrought characters and intense romantic bonding. I am a third way into the last in the series and it is as good as the first two books.

The Wallows, a Dark #Fantasy Part of Spirits in the Water #speculativefiction

The Wallows
by M. Pax

Spirits in the Water is coming! Get excited for some great stories inspired by the element of water. Here's a snippet from my story, "The Wallows," about a young woman not yet old enough to legally drink with a three-year-old daughter and a lot of stress. She wants nothing more than to escape her troubles. You know what they say... be careful what you wish for...

***

The weird lamppost continued to glow green, and it was the only one still lit. After unlocking her bike, Evernee Weems wheeled it to the lamppost. A small puddle lay under the streetlight, and a drip slowly tumbled from the bowl-shaped shade to the ground. The drop fell slower than normal. Ripples broke the surface of the puddle in perfect circles. After two heartbeats, the puddle settled into a sheen as serene as the cloudless sky.

Evernee studied the shallow depths and sighed. “It’d be cool if it was another world and I could go there.”

The puddle shimmered, and for a scant second she saw the faintest image of a man’s face. She bent over and peered closer. Her eyes blinked back. Two songbirds landed on the opposite side, thirstily pecking at the water. With the drought, how did a puddle form?

Shrugging, Evernee hopped on her bike. She rode to the other side of town to pick up her daughter and parked the bike a block away in a thick hedge. Her phone beeped, the alarm warning she was going to be late picking up Poppy. She jogged down the sidewalk and around the corner. A frowning Mrs. Drow stood at the gate holding Poppy’s hand. She was a tank of a woman with a lot of gray among the badly dyed auburn strands.

“You’ve got a better deal than most, Miss Weems. You know what time I close.”

Because the state paid for Poppy’s daycare, Mrs. Drow believed Evernee had something she didn’t deserve. Maybe she didn’t deserve anything, but Poppy did.

“Sorry, Mrs. Drow. I was at work. You know, earning a living.” She reached for her daughter.

Poppy clutched onto a bunny constructed from old socks and baby clothes. Evernee had sewn it herself. Poppy tore away from Mrs. Drow and, in doing so, ripped the arm off her rabbit. “You late, Mama.” Throwing the bits of bunny on the sidewalk, she marched down the street as if she was about to turn seventeen instead of four.

***

Have you ever wished to escape? Where did you imagine you might find a better world? When I drive into the wilds of Oregon, I still think it'd be grand to find another world hidden in the old forests.

Sometimes I find otherworldly places, but they're still very much in our world. It'd be neat if they weren't... maybe. Be careful what you wish for, right?

Ghosts of Fire (Elements of Untethered Realms book #3) is HERE!

Ghosts of Fire

Book three of the Elements series is finally out, just in time for the spooky season!

Get it: Amazon US, UK, CA, AU, DE, Google Play, Kobo, iBooks, Smashwords. (More links added when live)

See it on Goodreads

The anthology blurb:

From USA Today, Amazon bestselling, and popular science fiction and fantasy authors comes Ghosts of Fire, a supernatural anthology of ten thrilling tales. Meet paranormal detectives, imprisoned dragons, dark demons, cursed jewels, and handsome prophets. Explore shifting realms trapped in mirrors and a disturbing future where a president aims to rid the world of Otherkind. Ghosts of Fire is the third, long-awaited Elements story collection from the dynamic and inventive Untethered Realms group.

The stories:

“The Flaming Emerald” by Jeff Chapman: When Orville finds an emerald in a pawnshop, Jimmy suspects there’s trouble ahead, which is precisely what they encounter, trouble of a very weird and supernatural kind. Will they rid themselves of the cursed jewel before the flames scorch them? This is another story in Chapman’s Huckster Tales series.

“The Cost of Greatness” by Meradeth Houston: The newly elected President swears that he will rid the country of Otherkind, no matter the cost. When violence breaks out, one question must be answered: what is the cost of peace?

“On Day 168” by Cherie Reich: For 168 days, a dragon imprisoned Astryd in his cave, but the chieftain’s daughter has escaped to discover the dragon may not be her only enemy. This story takes place several hundred years before Reich’s series The Fate Challenges.

“The Vagaries of Eloise Stanton” by M. Pax: Lucy’s family disappeared when she was a child, lost in a world of mirror. No one believed her, yet the reflections of her family’s faces haunt her, plead with her for rescue. On the verge of at last being reunited, Lucy must battle the cruel woman, who isn’t quite human, standing as a barrier between the two realms.

“Mind the Gap” by Gwen Gardner: Carl James wants to impress the lovely Detective Inspector Madison Perry by helping her  catch an international art thief. Little does he know how his world will change when he steps through the ancient standing stones and finds himself an unintentional Gap Walker.

“Ryan” by Misha Gerrick: As the oldest griffon in existence, nothing thrills Ryan more than hunting down Aleria, the most powerful phoenix alive. But when the blitz traps both immortals in a struggle for life and death, he discovers she might be more than his prey. She might be his salvation. Ryan and Aleria’s stories continue in Endless.

“Rollerskate Boys” by Catherine Stine: An old shoe warehouse seems like the perfect place for artist Lily to set up a studio. But after moving in, she is tormented by startling clatters in the hall and the ghostly trails of boys on roller skates. When a deadly fire erupts, she’s no longer sure of what is real and what’s a figment of her nightmares.

“The Torchbearer” by Christine Rains: Sent to a dark crossroads by Hekate’s command, Desma must listen to the words of a handsome prophet whose ominous message mystifies her as much as he captivates her.

“In Plain Sight” by Angela Brown: Kazel and Amandine are best friends with their own little secrets to hide. When a boring study session at the library comes to a screeching halt, it forces them to put all their cards on the table and into plain sight. Readers of Neverlove and Frailties of the Bond will enjoy the return to the Shadow Jumpers and NEO worlds.

“Demon in the Basement” by River Fairchild: A man returns to his childhood home, determined to destroy the evil residing within it… or die trying.

Authors of Ghosts of Fire

Angela Brown battles in the corporate peon trenches with other minions by day and then goes home where she and her rambunctious daughter conquer dinner, dust bunnies, and homework problems together. Reading and writing are her passions. Interested readers can find out more at her blog publishness.blogspot.com.

Jeff Chapman writes software by day and speculative fiction when he should be sleeping. Fueled by dark hot chocolate, his imagination churns out dark, creepy, comic fiction ranging from fairy tales to fantasy to horror and ghost stories. There are no ghosts in his house, but it is crowded with a spouse, children, cats, and more books than bookshelf space. Visit his website at www.jeffchapmanbooks.com.

River Fairchild believes in Faerie crossings and never staying in one place for very long. Speculative Fiction wordsmith. The secret to her stories? Spread lies, blend in truths, add a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Escape into her world. She left the porch light on so you can find your way down the rabbit hole at riverfairchild.blogspot.com.

Gwen Gardner is a paranormal cozy mystery writer who loves to plot murder from the safety of her armchair. Since ghosts feature prominently in her books, she has a secret desire to meet one face-to-face—but will run screaming for the hills if she ever does. Find out more about Gwen Gardner’s books at gwengardner.com.

Misha Gerrick lives in the Western Cape, South Africa, where she uses the gorgeous scenery as inspiration to write. Curious readers can find out what she’s reading and writing at mishagerrick.tumblr.com.

Meradeth Houston is an author, scientist, and professor. She prefers to be found at a café sipping coffee and writing. Her most recent release, Travelers, is a time travel mystery with a dash of romance. Visit her website at meradethhouston.com.

M. Pax is the author of the space adventure series, The Backworlds, and the urban fantasy series, The Rifters. Fantasy, science fiction, and the weird beckon to her, and she blames Oregon, a source of endless inspiration. Find out more and discover more reads at mpaxauthor.com.

Christine Rains is an author, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. She has one novel and several novellas and short stories published. Her latest urban fantasy serial, Totem, brings ancient Inuit myths to the modern day world. Visit her website at christinerains.net.

Cherie Reich owns more books than she can ever read and thinks up more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn’t stop this bookworm from trying to complete her goals, even if it means curbing her TV addiction. A library assistant living in Virginia, she writes speculative fiction. For more information about her books, visit smarturl.it/CReichWebsite.

Catherine Stine is a USA Today bestselling author, whose novels span the range from futuristic to supernatural to contemporary. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her. She loves “bad” reality TV, traveling to offbeat places, and attending book conventions to meet her readers. Visit her website at catherinestine.com/wp.

Read about & get ALL the Elements series here!

***

Who is UR in 2016?

Ghosts of Fire Sneak Peak! The Vagaries of Eloise Stanton by M. Pax #SpecFic

“The Vagaries of Eloise Stanton” by M. Pax. Lucy’s family disappeared when she was a child, lost in a world of mirror. No one believed her, yet the reflections of her family’s faces haunt her, plead with her for rescue. On the verge of at last being reunited, Lucy must battle the cruel woman, who isn’t quite human, standing as a barrier between the two realms.

If this experiment didn’t succeed, I would lose all trace of my sister. I’d never find my family again.

Electric purple flames, which didn’t burn when touched, framed the mirror in front of me and from it, a hand that shouldn’t be reached out and grabbed my wrist, squeezing it bloodless, pulling me to the glass. Missing for fifteen years, my little sister was finally in my grasp. My heart drummed, and my pulse sizzled.

“Jenny, come home.” My tears splashed onto fingers unchanged from the last time I had seen them—the nails decorated with little daisies and the knuckles pudgy with eternal youth. Caressing her palm with my cheek, I inhaled the familiar scents of sunshine, grass, and bubble gum.

“Is it really you?” I asked.

Her reflection mixed with mine. My image remained mum, and although she appeared exactly like me with the same mahogany waves, round cheeks, and gray eyes, she wasn’t me. The me in the mirror glanced behind her, licking her lips, movements I hadn’t made. Whispers tickled my ears and verged on clarity before ebbing away into a muddied hum—the same noise as when my family had vanished.

Fighting with Jenny’s unrelenting grip, I tugged at her over and over. She wouldn’t budge from the glass.

“Help me.” I bit my lower lip and knotted my brow. “Jenny, please.”

The murmurs spiked then stopped, replaced by a pocket of silence so hushed the universe certainly held its breath. The mirror me dissolved into a young girl with long, light hair and laughing eyes. Jenny.

I hadn’t laughed since the day I lost my family. Fifteen years of rain had fallen on Seattle since, yet my sister hadn’t aged. Her lips pouted so earnestly.


Ghosts of Fire is coming in October!

The science & mystique of boxed sets

Here at UR we've done a boxed set of novels called Fantasy Rising, and two story anthologies, Twisted Earths and Mayhem in the Air. See them all here! They've been great to work on for various reasons. One is the socializing factor, getting to know each other better through the editing and decision-making processes of cover design, title choice and the like. But, they've also been beneficial to spreading word of our group, our individual authorship and bodies of work. And of course, they make money that helps us publish other sets and buy promo.

This year, I've delved into the world of boxed sets and story anthologies outside of UR as well. My first venture was in placing one of my indie novels in a huge boxed set called Secret Worlds with twenty other authors of fantasy and paranormal fiction. I learned a lot about marketing with this set. We assigned one author a day to be responsible for posting promo material on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, TSU and Instagram. We had a contingent of people who specialized in creating visual teasers, and another who took care of accounting and payouts. Still another took money and placed ads in popular book sites.

The hard work paid off. We landed on the Amazon Bestseller list for three solid weeks in three categories (myth, new adult & fairytale). This proved to be such a good system we've kept the boxed set up three months after we planned to delete it.

As a final marketing plan to boost the set through the holidays to New Years, we created a perma-free story anthology called Beyond Secret Worlds that relates directly to our novels in Secret Worlds, so people can follow us into our other books. see it on iTunes, Amazon, Kobo.

And, hey, it's FREE, folks! It includes my story, Blue House Magic, which follows Ruby and Blane from book two of the Fireseed series, to their new home in Vegas-by-the-Sea. So, it's a lead-in to book three (as of yet unwritten).

I've found readers love boxed sets because it allows them to sample a variety of work for a great price. If one story or novel doesn't suit them, they can simply read on to another one. Having a bunch of authors working on the same project is a huge relief. It's community-building and so much less stressful than always going it alone. But it does require good organization, and sometimes, even a strict leader, barking away at the crew.

Have you participated in a boxed set or story anthology? Did you enjoy it? If so why? Pros and cons? 

Necromancer: Release and excerpt

Graeme's new dark fantasy was released back in August. It's available on all ebook formats and paperback.

"A primeval fiend is loose in the ancient metropolis of Malkandrah, intent on burning it to a wasteland. The city's leaders stand idly by and the sorcerers that once protected the people are long gone.

Maldren, a young necromancer, is the only person brave enough to stand against the creature. Instead of help from the Masters of his Guild, he is given a new apprentice. Why now, and why a girl? As they unravel the clues to defeating the fiend, they discover a secret society holding the future of the city in its grip. After betrayals and attempts on his life, Maldren has reason to suspect everyone he thought a friend, even the girl.

His last hope lies in an alliance with a depraved and murderous ghost, but how can he trust it? Its sinister past is intertwined in the lives of everyone he holds dear.

Can only evil defeat evil?"

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBook | Goodreads

First Chapter Free on Wattpad

Excerpt

   At the door, she dragged her heels. “I’ll wait out here until you’re done.”

   I tugged her forward.

   “It’s too dangerous and I don’t want you out of my sight. You’re my apprentice, so you have to obey.” I winked.

   She rolled her eyes but followed me into the dark taproom. I separated our hands as we crossed the threshold. Necromancers don’t hold hands.

   The dregs of society were already congregating, weaving drunkenly among stable boys scattering fresh straw. True to the inn’s name, the stench of old vomit mixed with that of stale beer. Arms reached out to paw at Ayla, but when they saw my robe they slunk away into dark corners. I stood tall. Yes, you lecherous mob, the necromancer just stepped into your sleazy world.

   There was no sign of the Duke’s men, or anyone else trying to catch my attention. The back stairs creaked and bowed as we ascended, and I didn’t risk putting weight on the unsteady banister. The upstairs hallway was empty, so we strode past several doors that muffled ecstatic cries or snores, and I knocked on the rearmost door.

   No answer. Kristach, he’d left.

   I pushed it open and froze.

   I tried to block Ayla’s view but she slipped past me into the room. She gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. Then she doubled over in a crouch and threw up, spraying her breakfast all over her feet. I hurried inside and shut the door. Thank Belaya she hadn’t screamed, but she uttered a low, haunting moan, at the same time clutching her abdomen and trembling.

Contact Graeme: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Fantastic Speculative Fiction - This is Worth Reading: Old Man of Tessara by J. Edward Neill #specfic

Can't decide what to read next? Untethered Realms is sharing what we loved reading the first Friday of every month.

Old man of Tessera

by J Edward Neill

Blurb:

A young man from the drowned village of Veni wanders along the sea until he comes to the city of Tessera. The Old Man takes him in and urges him to explore Tessera, where nothing and no one are as they seem…

This is a beautifully written short horror story. Quiet. Deadly. Like a spider’s web you don’t know is there until you’re well and truly caught in it, with no way out. Neill writes with a unique style, reminding me of fabled storytellers honored with a place beside the fire, holding their audience captive until the final word is spoken.

Slip into his world and discover a gifted writer. He has a much longer series of dark fantasy as well, which I’m itching to snatch up and drown myself in.

Find it here on Amazon

Twitter line:

Check out #unrealms Books Worth Reading feature! Old Man of Tessera by @JEdwardNeill http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.com #fantasy, #horror

Are you afraid of ghosts?

There are more terrifying things that go bump in the night than ghosts. One of those creatures has moved into Chiharo's building. She already has her hands full trying to deal with another phantom, but this monster could be the end of both of them. Can a sweet ghost like Chiharo banish a fiend that's out to eat her soul?

THE GHOST by Christine Rains is the final book in the 13th Floor series. The big release date is in four days. Please enjoy an excerpt and get hooked!

THE GHOST - Chapter 1

“Who's going to die?” Chiharo cupped her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice, but it didn't make a difference.

Only a fool would try a thing a hundred times and expect a different response. Chiharo had been trying the past few years to get Harriet to notice her with no success. But Chiharo had to know who Harriet's foretelling was about. Besides, the circumstances were always different. Maybe a little more electricity in the air or an alignment of the planets. One day, Harriet might hear her.

Chiharo shouted her question again as Harriet got ready to go out. The only response was the tabby cat Elli's soft growl. “You know, if you were any kind of familiar, you'd tell Harriet I need to talk to her.”

Chiharo's mother had taught her to not take any guff from animals. They needed to know who was in charge. Her mother had been dead for twenty years, but Chiharo still heeded her wise words. Still, the cats ruled here.

Harriet tripped over the other cat as she walked down the hall. She didn't cry out or groan, but picked herself up and bid a fond good-bye to the felines as she slipped out the apartment door.

From the bedroom, Chiharo sighed and shook her head. “You know you're lucky to have her. She's too good to you.”

Elli hissed, and the big gray tom named Kerr turned his back to both of them. Chiharo rolled her eyes and walked through the wall and into the corridor. She didn't flinch as she had the first few years of ghostdom. Was that even a word? Ghosthood?

Her throat tightened. What she wouldn't give to hear her mom lecture her or just to have someone to talk to. Witches were supposed to see spirits. At least that's what her mother always said. Why couldn't Harriet see her?

Though, maybe Harriet wasn't the type of witch that could see spirits. Chiharo had never seen her preform any magic. Harriet made healing potions and soothing teas. Not exactly exciting witchcraft, but it was obvious Harriet loved what she did as much as she loved singing in the shower.

“Harriet!” Chiharo zipped in front of her, but Harriet didn't slow her steps. Chiharo had tried irritating the cats and moving things, and now it was time for the next trick.

Summoning up her energy, Chiharo pushed the stairwell door and held it open for Harriet. “Hello? I'm here. I know you know you didn't open the door. Why were you screaming in the hall last night? Whose death did you see?”

Chiharo nibbled her lower lip. Stefanie came back wet, muddy, and naked last night. Was the trouble she'd been hiding from going to find her? Xan did dangerous work. Maybe a dragon would finally get him. Or that pretty reporter he stashed away in his apartment.

A squeaky noise brought her attention back. She gasped as Kiral and Harriet stood face to face on the landing.

“Oh my god!” Chiharo's hands fluttered. “This is it, Harriet! He's finally seeing you. Say something!”

* * * * *

 

Please join Christine Rains on THE GHOST blog tour from July 13 - 18. There will be a HUGE giveaway where you can enter to win the entire 13th Floor series.

You can download the first book of the series, THE MARQUIS, free for the Kindle and for all formats on Smashwords.

Mark THE GHOST to read on Goodreads.