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Friday, November 25, 2016

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Title: Archangel’s Touch - Series: Archangels’ Series # 2 - Author: Karen Swart - Genre: Paranormal Romance

Audience: 18 + Adults - Formats: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Karen Swart - Cover By: Jasmyn Designs - Editor: Jasmin Petricola (Blue Butterfly Editing) - Published Date: Dec 2016

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Gabriel is the Archangel that sounded the first Horn for the End of Days. He battles to recompose himself and continue with his duties. He searches for a missing part of himself but cannot find it. What he finds instead is his former enemy and lover, who is embarking on a dangerous mission to stop the prophecy of The End of Days. Certain that she would return to her old ways and betray them, Gabriel joins the mission to protect his brethren and destroy her.

Alexia, former Princess Demon of Hell, is thrown into a mission she wanted nothing to do with. With her knowledge of the demon world, she must act as a guide for a Fallen female and test a fable about a ring that might destroy Lucifer. Her new life as a human has been humiliating, her past haunts her, and her former lover hates her. Why fight for something you can never have?

Thrown together for this mission, Alexia and Gabriel will be tested. Will they destroy each other? Or will their love be strong enough to save them both, and the world?

She was his poison and antidote all wrapped into one.

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Goodreads

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Available on Amazon for 99c/99p from Nov 26 to Dec 3, 2016.

 

desire EBOOK UPLOADTitle: Archangel’s Desire

Series: Archangels’ Series # 1

Author: Karen Swart

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Audience: 18 +

Formats: E-book and Paperback

Publisher: Karen Swart

Cover By: Jasmyn Designs

Editor: Jasmin Petricola (Blue Butterfly Editing)

Published Date: April 30, 2015

 

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Raven Black is no martyr, but she has a secret she deems worth protecting. Placed into the care of Zadkiel, the Archangel of Mercy, Raven Black tries with all her might and main to hide her deadly secret. It’s difficult to know who to trust or who to confide in, but Raven knows she’s unwilling to be exploited to get the Archangels’ greatest enemy. She seals her lips, refusing to speak and enduring the ensuing torture in silence.

After centuries of nothing but duty, Zadkiel is tormented by the hellhound Raven. The closer he gets to her, the more he discovers about this lethal beauty. With each passing moment an uncontrollable desire is awakened, and with it an ancient evil is provoked.

When he discovers her secret, Zadkiel must choose between all of mankind and the woman he has come to love. Can he save her in time, or will his failure bring forth the end of days?

He would awaken a desire that would burn through hell.

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Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2eJ06MN

Amazon.co.uk - http://amzn.to/2eJ0KcZ

Amazon.au - http://amzn.to/2fK1SfS

Amazon.ca - http://amzn.to/2fJXrSi

Amazon.fr – http://amzn.to/2fJWhq0

Amazon.de – http://amzn.to/2fJUilg

Amazon.at – http://amzn.to/2fJVyEZ

excerpt

The door opened and Zadkiel marched into the room. He looked around and found me sitting on a few flour bags where I was trying to remain hidden from the world. I was beyond angry with him. How dare he take my picture! He had no right!

“Raven.” He walked over to me.

“Go to hell, Zadkiel,” I sneered at him.

“Well, actually that is where I am going. But first, I need to make sure that you will be alright while I am gone.” His words had me finally looking at him.

“You are going into hell?” He seemed determined enough.

“Yes, I need to find the other female and try and get more information. Her sister is lost about her research and is unable to make out what we are supposed to know.” He didn’t even flinch when he replied.

So, why did I?

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, we have no choice.” He seemed way too nonchalant for a guy taking a trip down to hell.

I wished I had the courage to tell him I would go with him, but I was scared shitless of the place and what lay within it. “How long will you be gone?” I asked instead.

“I am hoping to find her in a day or two. But I am concerned about you.” He turned his back to me, and I couldn’t see his eyes. A strange combination of sensations took hold of me with his words. First I was delighted, and then I was just plain devastated. How the hell would I be able to stay awake? Shit! I am not going to be able to and then…

“I will be back before each nightfall to help you sleep, of course. Then I will return to the hunt the next morning,” he interjected, as if reading my thoughts. My heart leapt with gratitude. “Would you be able to help the others in the gym while I am searching?” He finally looked at me.

“It’s difficult,” I replied. Kasadya was always bugging me and then the others would soon be here bugging me too.

“Please, for me.” His pleading had my heart jumping.

“Okay, I’ll try, but if they start bugging me, I am out of here.” My eyes roamed over his huge frame, his soft hair begging for my fingers to rub it.

“Fair enough, but please stay here. Try to assist them as much as you can. I don’t know if I will be able to find the other female, and we need your assistance.” He bent down and cupped my face in his hand, his eyes roaming over me.

“Why didn’t you just give the picture to them?” I breathed.

“Some things are personal and don’t need to be shared with everyone. I will not share what I have seen, Raven. I know trust is difficult for you, but I would like nothing more than to earn that trust.” His thumb rubbed over my lower lip, his eyes fixed on the action.

 

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imageKaren Swart is the bestselling author of the spellbinding young adult series - The Kasadya Hellhound Series. Her novels have won awards in the Best YA Paranormal and Best YA Fantasy categories of Book Junkies Choice Awards.

Born and raised South African, Karen spends her time with her family and writing her next novel. You can learn more about Karen, her love of books and all her upcoming books at www.authorkarenswart.com

or http://facebook.com/authorkarenswart

Sign up for her newsletter and receive exclusive content and giveaways - http://eepurl.com/bh0dmz

 

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Monday, November 21, 2016

arch

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On Sale From Nov 26 until Dec 3!!
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“white knuckle read.” “roller coaster thrill ride.”
“action packed” “steamy.” “hot.” “amazing read.”
“Another amazing tale of the life of Angels, demons and hellhounds!”
“Who doesn't love demons, Sassy badass hellhounds and tall, sexy and brooding archangel's.”
“This book will have you at the edge of your seat!” …
find out what reviewers are raving about.
 
Title: Archangel’s Desire - Series: Archangels’ Series # 1 - Author: Karen Swart - Genre: Paranormal Romance - Audience: 18 + - Formats: E-book and Paperback - Publisher: Karen Swart - Cover By: Jasmyn Designs - Editor: Jasmin Petricola (Blue Butterfly Editing) - Published Date: April 30, 2015
blurb
Raven Black is no martyr, but she has a secret she deems worth protecting. Placed into the care of Zadkiel, the Archangel of Mercy, Raven Black tries with all her might and main to hide her deadly secret. It’s difficult to know who to trust or who to confide in, but Raven knows she’s unwilling to be exploited to get the Archangels’ greatest enemy. She seals her lips, refusing to speak and enduring the ensuing torture in silence.
After centuries of nothing but duty, Zadkiel is tormented by the hellhound Raven. The closer he gets to her, the more he discovers about this lethal beauty. With each passing moment an uncontrollable desire is awakened, and with it an ancient evil is provoked.
When he discovers her secret, Zadkiel must choose between all of mankind and the woman he has come to love. Can he save her in time, or will his failure bring forth the end of days?
He would awaken a desire that would burn through hell.
book links
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/2eJ06MN
Amazon.co.uk - http://amzn.to/2eJ0KcZ
Amazon.au - http://amzn.to/2fK1SfS
Amazon.ca - http://amzn.to/2fJXrSi
Amazon.fr – http://amzn.to/2fJWhq0
Amazon.de – http://amzn.to/2fJUilg
Amazon.at – http://amzn.to/2fJVyEZ
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excerpt
The door opened and Zadkiel marched into the room. He looked around and found me sitting on a few flour bags where I was trying to remain hidden from the world. I was beyond angry with him. How dare he take my picture! He had no right!
“Raven.” He walked over to me.
“Go to hell, Zadkiel,” I sneered at him.
“Well, actually that is where I am going. But first, I need to make sure that you will be alright while I am gone.” His words had me finally looking at him.
“You are going into hell?” He seemed determined enough.
“Yes, I need to find the other female and try and get more information. Her sister is lost about her research and is unable to make out what we are supposed to know.” He didn’t even flinch when he replied.
So, why did I?
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, we have no choice.” He seemed way too nonchalant for a guy taking a trip down to hell.
I wished I had the courage to tell him I would go with him, but I was scared shitless of the place and what lay within it. “How long will you be gone?” I asked instead.
“I am hoping to find her in a day or two. But I am concerned about you.” He turned his back to me, and I couldn’t see his eyes. A strange combination of sensations took hold of me with his words. First I was delighted, and then I was just plain devastated. How the hell would I be able to stay awake? Shit! I am not going to be able to and then…
“I will be back before each nightfall to help you sleep, of course. Then I will return to the hunt the next morning,” he interjected, as if reading my thoughts. My heart leapt with gratitude. “Would you be able to help the others in the gym while I am searching?” He finally looked at me.
“It’s difficult,” I replied. Kasadya was always bugging me and then the others would soon be here bugging me too.
“Please, for me.” His pleading had my heart jumping.
“Okay, I’ll try, but if they start bugging me, I am out of here.” My eyes roamed over his huge frame, his soft hair begging for my fingers to rub it.
“Fair enough, but please stay here. Try to assist them as much as you can. I don’t know if I will be able to find the other female, and we need your assistance.” He bent down and cupped my face in his hand, his eyes roaming over me.
“Why didn’t you just give the picture to them?” I breathed.
“Some things are personal and don’t need to be shared with everyone. I will not share what I have seen, Raven. I know trust is difficult for you, but I would like nothing more than to earn that trust.” His thumb rubbed over my lower lip, his eyes fixed on the action.
about the author
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Karen Swart is the bestselling author of the spellbinding young adult series - The Kasadya Hellhound Series. Her novels have won awards in the Best YA Paranormal and Best YA Fantasy categories of Book Junkies Choice Awards.
Born and raised South African, Karen spends her time with her family and writing her next novel. You can learn more about Karen, her love of books and all her upcoming books at www.authorkarenswart.com or http://facebook.com/authorkarenswart.
Sign up for her newsletter and receive exclusive content and giveaways - http://eepurl.com/bh0dmz
 
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Thursday, October 1, 2015

kasadya blast

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Get the entire series for just 99c!
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on sale for a limited time.



Kasadya Hellhound Awakened 3 EBOOK UPLOAD
Kasadya Hellhound Awakened
Series: Kasadya #1
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: Paperback and E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services , There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 978-1311699121
Date Published: 21 August 2012
Pages: 342 pages


Blurb -
In a constant battle between good and evil, evil is dominating the battlefield and leading mankind to its destruction. With our Creator's intervention, a creature destined to conquer and destroy is created. He gives mankind hellhounds to fight back and reclaim freedom.
Join seventeen year old Kasadya Levourne as she fights against evil to protect us. With each step, she faces destruction, and yet she has the talent to give it back tenfold. Stubborn and hard-headed she makes her mark in the Fallen world and starts a battle none can escape. Not even her trainer, the very attractive Chax de Luca, was prepared for her presence.
Will evil prevail? Or will Kas and her Fallen friends succeed in protecting us against it? Hold on to your seats, this is going to be one hell of a ride.
Special Note:
The Kasadya Series is read back to back, book 1- 3 ends with a cliff hanger.


Now Free on all platforms!
Book Links-

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Excerpt -
Prologue
There was a time when heaven was filled with peace and serenity. God, Jesus Christ, and all the Angels lived in harmony; no evil and no sin existed. Until one fateful day...
With all gathered to hear their Sire speak, God rose and addressed his Angels. Before all, he proclaimed His Son, Jesus Christ, was equal to Him. That Christ’s words should be obeyed as if they were His own. Christ would command the heavens, with the same authority as Him. All the Angels bowed down before Christ and accepted their Sire’s proclamation, all except for one…
An Archangel was furious with this proclamation. He was his Sire’s right hand, the deliverer of justice, the commander of many legions. He had served his Sire for centuries, and never failed him. It should be to him that God bestow power, not a Son whom had never even seen battle.
With his heart filled with hatred and jealousy, he gathered all the angels in secret. He told them that their days of sweet liberty were at an end. That God has now placed Christ as their ruler and that they should now obey his wishes. Many angels were angered at such a false statement, but many also agreed with the Archangel. He had led them for many years; why should they now question his leadership?
The faithful Angels fled to God and told Him what was happening, and together they prepared for war. With the sun rising on a new day, God and his Angels stood ready for battle against the Archangel and his followers. The battle only lasted a day, the Archangel and his followers defeated before the sun set for the night.
Seeing the angels on their knees before Him, He gave them one final chance… “Repent and declare your loyalty, and I will forgive you, my children.” He told his beautiful angels, tears falling with each word. This was His family. This was His love. How could they betray Him? Some of the Angels cried their penance, begging Him to forgive them for their deceit. They claimed that the Archangel deceived them, and they followed him into battle, as they have done for centuries.
God took pity on them, but still believed that their deceit must not go unpunished. He had spoken many times about the importance of punishment, that lessons learned must be earned... “I herewith grant you mercy, but as punishment you will be sentenced to an earthly realm. I will take your beauty as payment for my children lost today. In the place of your beauty, I will give you purpose. In mercy, and because I love you still, I give you life in this realm. Let this be known, that I was merciful this day,” God finished.
He placed them in an earthly realm, and called it Exsilium. In this realm they would carry their deceit, and earn their place with him. He took their beauty and replaced them with elements of his earth. Half would be of animal and element, and would resemble punishment. The other, in a humanoid form, and would resemble mercy. He called them his Fallen.
The Archangel, and those whom did not repent, were not that lucky. God looked into the eyes of His once faithful angels and only saw destruction, hatred, jealousy, and heartache. He knew that His beloved ones had died this day, and that others needed to be protected. But how could you destroy one you loved? He placed the Archangel, and his followers, in another earthly realm, but where Exsilium was above the earth, this one was in the center. With one wave of His hand, their beautiful forms were replaced with forms as ugly as their hatred and deceit. Using His word and blood, He sealed this realm from any other.
As He looked into the many eyes of hatred, He spoke his final word... “This realm will be called Hell, and you will be called demons. You, my once faithful Archangel, you will be called the Devil. Your angel name will be erased from the past, present, and future. You will be forgotten,” He proclaimed and left them to their demise.
Many years have passed since that day. God created mankind and cherished his new children. The male and female were his new hope; in them he would find peace again. But the Devil had grown strong through the years, and somehow managed to enter God’s garden. Here, he found the female God created, using her to strike back. He whispered words of deceit in her ears, and watched as God’s new children stepped into sin. With her first bite, a crack appeared in the seal around Hell, and demons escaped to earth.
From that day onward, the Devil and his demons created chaos amongst God’s new children, leading one after the other into sin. God looked upon this and decided to fight for his loved ones. He went to Exsilium and spoke to the Fallen... “You, my children, have proven your loyalty in the years that have passed, and so I came to offer you another chance at Heaven. If you slay the Devil and his demons to protect mankind, I will give you a place in my Heaven once again. With your last breath on this earth, you will join me and your brethren in Heaven,” He finished. The Fallen agreed and God gave them the power to move in and out of Exsilium to battle the demons. The war between Good and Evil began.
But as mankind spread over the earth, sin became their followers. And with each sin, the demons grew stronger and created more demons to torture mankind. The Fallen were now fighting against millions; they needed assistance to ensure victory. God had watched the battle from Heaven and saw that they were failing because of their numbers. He also saw that the demons grew stronger than the Fallen. He intervened and created a new creature. This creature would have features encompassing the best of both worlds. One half was as strong and loyal as the Fallen, while the other was as hard and enduring as a demon. This was His ultimate weapon. This would be His greatest creation. To ensure that these creatures could not be swayed, He placed Heaven’s soul into them. He called them His hellhounds.
The hellhounds delivered justice swiftly, as strong and just as the Fallen. Yet hard and durable like the demons, they conquered the earthly realm and the demons retreated. Not one hellhound could be swayed. All stayed true to their calling. God, knowing that the Devil and many more demons had retreated, gave His hellhounds life, and offered them a place among the Fallen.
Until this day they still watch over mankind, protecting them from evil. Will we be worth it?


kasadyateusday


Kasadya Hellhound TwistedKasadya WEBSITE USE
Series: Kasadya #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Edited by: There for you Editing Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
Cover by: Melody Simmons
ISBN: 978-1301357192
Pages: 251 Pages
Date Published: 15 February 2013

Blurb -
She fought against all odds and became the warrior she was meant to be … or so she thought. In a world where the rules have changed, can she embrace her destiny and become the hellhound she was meant to be?
Kasadya is back in Exsilium and finds her world a little different. Her half-breed fallen friends join her, and they are ordered to complete their apprentice training in order to obtain the right to be guardians. She must learn that her own fate cannot be denied and that others are set to follow. But most of all, she must learn that to trust is the greatest battle of all.
The tables are turned and Kasadya is put to the test. Will she be able to prevent her own death, or that of a friend? Or will her actions call forth the destruction of Earth and Exsilium?
For a Phoenix to rise, it must first die. —Chax De Luca


Book Links-

kasadyathrisday



Kasadya HB BARNES & NOBLE
Kasadya Hellhound Born
Series: Kasadya #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: MAI-Editing-Services & Blue Butterfly Editing
ISBN: 9781301863594
Pages: 235 pages
Date Published: 15 August 2013

Blurb -
In a world filled with evil, the Fallen prepare for the ultimate battle against the demon world!
Kasadya is ordered to unleash her crazed born transformation to complete her divinity. But there is a chance that her born will be uncontrollable, and she will be destroyed. There is just one person that can save her; her charm, her destined mate. Left without a choice, she must surrender, and place her life in his hands.
In a race against time, the Fallen must stand together and fight the evil threatening to invade earth. If her divinity was in reach, victory would be theirs. That is until she starts having visions of the final battle, and her true destiny is revealed. She just found her love and place in the Fallen world; will she be able, and willing, to sacrifice it all?


Book Links-


kasadyamonday

Excerpt -
“Kasadya, don't do this to me,” Chax spoke, using Corra.
I stopped completely and looked at him. Reaching for my necklace, I held it.
“I am so sorry, Chax. This is the only way; we can’t win any other way. I know; I have seen the end too many times,” I replied.
His face fell even more and he looked around, searching for a way out.
“I want to thank you... for being there for me. For searching for me when I went missing. For enduring all of my crap. I am sorry I messed up so many times. But not this time; this I promise. But most of all, thank you for loving me.” Even my mental voice broke down on the last part.
Chax started to scream and pound at the invisible wall, while others joined him. I looked at Nanini, shocked that she couldn’t get out.
“Take care of Max for me,” I sent to her.
Tears formed and ran down her cheeks, but she nodded.
“Kas, let us help you!” Lotan yelled. My friends, my family were still trying to save me. Tears ran down my own face now.
“I love all of you. Thank you for always being there for me.” Finally my mental voice began to a sob.
I turned away, afraid that the sight of them would stop me.
“Kasadya! Don’t do this to me. I beg you!” Chax yelled at me.
Demons were closing in around me, but my heart was so broken I just let the tears and heartache spill out of me.
“I am so sorry, Chax. Forgive me.” With that, I stormed forward.
I used my g-force punches to clear the masses out of my way. When that stopped working, I started shifting. Demons grabbed at me and some got in a slice or two. But I wasn't stopping.
I saw Ballen trying to flee from me. He thought I was heading for him. Good. I needed him on the other side when I blew it up. Using my wings for momentum, I sent a massive g-force punch into the horde that remained between me and my target. They flew backwards, clearing the way for me to advance. I swiped at a few too close and took their heads. Blood sprayed all over me. Searching for the hole to make sure I was heading in the right direction, I saw the shoulders and arms of something freaking big, already beginning to breach.
I need to move faster!
I lifted up with my wings. They were tired, but I had no other option. Now I had the flying demons to contend with. We fought and sliced and I sent a few down to earth without a head. At last, I was advancing on the hole. Pain shot through my left wing and I tumbled to the ground, hitting hard. At the last moment I made sure that the front of my body hit the ground and not the back. Demons jumped me all at once. Ballen was yelling at them to stop me. I used everything I had left and flung out with my wings and arms. They went flying and just in front of me was the hole with the devil stuck in it. Ballen was standing at the entrance watching me, his face a mask of shock.
With a deep breath, I reached for the pouch and took hold of the balls. Now armed and ready, I just had a few feet to go. I stormed through the demons, not caring if they sliced me open. I wasn't stopping for a fight anymore. I held the balls to my chest, sealing them from any other impact. Then, finally, I was at the entrance of the hole. With the last of my strength, I leaped into the air and went flying straight for it.
There were many things that go through your mind that moment before you die. I remembered my first step into Exsilium. Meeting Lada and Nanini. Meeting Chax and hating my first day. I remembered our fun at the beach, the Hellhouse and the grub spot. Seeing Lada and Lotan kissing for the first time. Meeting Max and Ryan, and then all of the rest. My heart no longer troubled by Kali or Seth or all the others who had betrayed me. I remembered finding Chax and the Fallen again. Seeing my parents again. So many memories bombarded me at that last moment. I remembered my day and night with Chax, and how it felt to be loved.
“I love you,” I sent a final message to him.
He was still screaming my name, begging for me to stop.
I remembered why I was doing this. For them I gave my heart, my life. Ballen's shocked face was in front of me, right in my path. Just when I reached him, I dropped the balls and slammed into him.

kasadyawednesday


Kasadya Hellhound DefinedKasadya Hellhound Defined ORIGINAL 300 dpi
Series: Kasadya, #4
Author: Karen Swart
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audience: YA/NA - 14 years and up
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Karen Swart
Cover by: Melody Simmons
Edited by: Blue Butterfly Editing
ASIN: B00J698M1A
ISBN: 978-1311495075
Pages: 135 pages
Date Published: 21 March. 2014

Blurb -
For centuries his only reason for existence was to destroy evil. But when he finally found his mate, that all changed for the deadly Chax De Luca. When the hellhound Kasadya captured his heart, he surrended it to her, thinking he’d finally found what he’d been looking for. Little did he know that his mate would sacrifice herself to save them all.
His fury is legend. His wrath, merciless. His love for his mate, undeniable. He’s going to hell to retrieve his heart, and if that means that he must destroy hell itself, then so be it.
Kasadya awakes to a world in peril, her mate forever changed, and a war filled with evil creatures intending to enter Earth’s realm and destroy all that she holds dear. Can she complete her divinity in time to save her loved ones and mankind? Will she have to choose? Or will all be lost in the final battle?
The final battle is here, and with it, secrets are revealed and worlds are changed forever.


Book Links-

taming 3



Giveaway-



About the Author -
Karen SwartI am a complete book addict, and really proud of it. My entire world is made of books. From reading to writing to blogging to helping other authors. A day without my world of books would be impossible. I am a mother of three, two boys and a little princess. Happily married for 10 years with my high school sweetheart. I live in South Africa, just on the rims of the Kalahari Desert in a small town with one shop and friendly faces.
Media Links –

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

SAGA by J.A. Campbell Blog Tour

 

 

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Presented by:

 

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Saga:  Legends of the Travelers Book #1 by J.A. Campbell

Audience:  Young Adult 12+, Genre:  Fantasy, Adventure, horses, Format:  ebook

saga gif

Publisher: Untold Press, Cover by:  Sean Hayden, Untold Press, Pages:  196, ASIN:  B012236VMS,

Date Published:  Aug 17 2015

 

blurb (1)

Taken from her people as a foal, Saga is plunged into a world completely foreign to her. All Travelers know other worlds exist, but they don’t expect to actually experience them until they are adults. Saga must learn to adapt to her new surroundings if she wants to survive until she’s old enough to be able to Travel among worlds and return to her people.
Jarl is the son of the Vanir High Mages and heir to the throne. Though young, his parents entrust him with the care and training of the captured Traveler foal. However, none of the Vanir understand just how intelligent the Travelers are and they may have given Jarl more than he can handle.
When Saga escapes, the High Mages decide she is too much trouble and has to be killed. Jarl defies his parents and goes after her. Will they remain enemies when Jarl finds her, or will they form a bond of friendship strong enough to save Saga’s life?

book links (1)

amazon   goodreads

 

 

excerpt (1)

"My Prince, High Mage Nessa sent me to fetch you."

Jarl considered ignoring the servant. He was in the middle of a great battle with a couple of the other mage children and he wanted to test his catapult. If Jarl sent him away, he knew his parents, the high mages, wouldn't be pleased. The thought of actually having to do chores, even if only for a week, was distasteful. They had servants for a reason, after all.

Jarl sighed and waved at his friends before acknowledging the servant. The boy wasn't much older than him, and wore plain brown as all the servants did. He looked up hopefully from the ground, briefly meeting Jarl's eyes, before remembering his place and casting his gaze to the ground again.

That breach of etiquette could get the boy flogged, and perhaps Jarl would save him greater punishment later if he had him whipped now. It was only a lash when you met the eyes of a son or daughter of a great mage or noble. The twenty required if you dared to look into the eyes of one of the mages would probably kill the boy. Jarl decided it was too much trouble and ignored the eye contact.

"Where?"

"Their private rooms."

Jarl's stomach sank. Maybe they'd found out about the prank he and Conor had played on Cook. It hadn't been nice, putting cheese crumbs in her favorite apron and leaving it where the rats could get to it, but she was mean. She'd been head cook for as long as anyone could remember and made the most amazing pies, which was probably why his father tolerated her disrespectful attitude.

Jarl nodded and headed across the well-manicured grounds toward the castle. Built with magic and stone, the castle towered above him. Banners flapped from the battlements, snapping in the breeze that didn't reach down into the walled grounds.

One of the side entrances was closest and, once inside, he dashed into the servants' ways. He wasn't supposed to run through the narrow hallways and grand corridors because a ruler's son was always composed and regal. He could get away with it in the dank servants' ways though, as long as he wasn't out of breath when he arrived.

In good shape, Jarl could run forever like the dire wolves that hunted the northern mountains. It was completely permissible for Jarl to run outside and he loved the feeling of freedom that it gave him. One day he would be permitted beyond the confines of the castle and would race all over his world.

Those musings kept him occupied until he ran out of back ways to dash through. He stopped and took a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart, made sure his clothing wasn't disheveled, and then stepped into the opulent hallway that led to his parents' suites. The thick blue carpeting muffled his footfalls and he felt the eyes of the guards stationed periodically through the hallway on his back. When he boldly looked at them however, none seemed to have moved a muscle, not even to twist their eyes and look at him. The guards wore dark green livery emblazoned with the crystal and the griffin. Only mages wore blue. Even mages in training couldn't wear blue until they reached the first order.

Jarl reached the heavy oak doors carved with the ever-present griffin and crystal symbols. The guards ignored him and he knocked on the door. An attendant inside opened it for him. Jarl hurried through the outer receiving room, well used to its ornate decorations and elegantly carved furniture. Blue dominated the room. Mostly bare except for some comfortable furniture for lounging and tables and lamps for reading. The private room beyond contrasted sharply. The tapestry and the picture of Jarl and his mother were the only decorations.

His parents sat at the table reading. They both looked at him when he entered, and Jarl tried not to act guilty.

"Your hair is sticking up. I do believe you have a leaf in it." His mother sounded stern, but he could see a glint of amusement in her eyes.

"Sorry, Mother." He ran a hand through his short curls and pulled the offending leaf out of his hair. Then he held it awkwardly, not knowing what to do with it.

"Oh, throw it in the fireplace and come here." She smiled and stood. Jarl did as he was told and hugged his mother tightly.

His father stood. "How are you today, son?"

"Fine, Father. What can I do for you?" At only ten, the formality was hard for Jarl, but he did try.

"We have a surprise for you."

Jarl's heart lightened. They hadn't heard about the cheese! He couldn't understand how though, as Cook had raised a huge fuss when she'd found her rat-chewed apron.

"Yes, Father?"

A slight smile creased his father's face at the eagerness in his voice. Jarl had tried to contain it, but he loved good surprises. The smile made him even happier, slight as it was. Geraint Ilmarinen was not a man used to smiling.

"If you're good, and you master that spell you've been struggling with, you'll find out tonight. Meet us in the stables an hour after dinner."

Jarl's heart sank again, but only a little. He almost had that spell down. Requiring concentration on two different components at once, thus far he'd managed to fail at the last minute every time.

"Yes, Father."

"Go practice, Jarl. We'll forgive you if you need to miss your dinner." His mother's smile appeared more often, but still he treasured it. He grinned back at her.

"Yes, Mother. If I may be excused?" Having permission to skip dinner meant he could send a servant for food and avoid having to dress nicely and all that stuff he hated about court.

"Of course."

He gave a quick bow and, unable to contain his excitement, he ran from the room.

"Walk!" The tolerant reprimand followed him out the door and he forced himself to slow once he reached the public hallway.

It didn't take long for him to arrive at the practice room, and he set to work on the spell with renewed enthusiasm.

∞ ∞ ∞

It took him several hours, and he almost forgot to eat the dinner that the servant brought for him, but Jarl finally got the spell to work. For all the effort, it was a relatively simple result. He was supposed to take a regular candle and make it burn with a green flame. Lighting the candle with magic was simple enough. However, altering the components of the wick to make it burn green wasn't as easy. Jarl could have cast a simple illusion on the flame, but that wasn't the point of the exercise. Supposedly, once you could perform the spell reliably with a candle, and then other fires, you would be able to apply the principles to much more complicated and powerful works of magic.

Jarl, now able to focus on something other than the magic singing through his veins, distantly heard the bell toll seven times. He was late! He should have left for the stables twenty minutes ago. He hastily grabbed a fresh candle, along with the one he'd managed to craft the spell on, and slipped into the servants' ways so he could run. His parents would understand. They always did when magic was involved, however he didn't want to keep them waiting, or they might decide he hadn't mastered the spell in time.

He hadn't even had time to wonder about the surprise. He thought it might be a horse of his very own since they were meeting in the stables. He could ride any horse he wanted—as long as it wasn't one of the hunting or warhorses. To have one of his very own seemed special. It also meant his father might start taking him out into the countryside more. Jarl felt confined, like he was missing out on life, since he mostly had to stay on castle grounds until he went off to school in a few years. Those with magical talent had to be protected until they could protect themselves. Shadow creatures called Ovattr hunted mages, very effectively. Now and again, a body would be returned to the castle, or the Mage School, torn by claw and tooth. The treacherous Alfar created the creatures long ago to destroy the human mages.

Jarl forced himself to walk when he reached the door leading from the servants' ways to the outer courtyards. Though still light out at this time of year, the oppressive heat of the day had lifted, and a light breeze dried the sweat dampening his hair. A seabird cried out, circling overhead, seeming to mock Jarl for running late. In his impatience, Jarl ended up half jogging when he wasn't in view of the stables, and walking as properly as he could when he knew his parents might see him. Liveried guards stood outside the main doors, the green contrasting nicely with the stone that made up the front of the stables. They didn't so much as glance at Jarl. Still, he imagined he could feel their eyes on him as he scooted passed their forbidding presence. The statue-like guards had always unnerved him, though he worked hard not to let it show.

Airy and open, the stables smelled of horse and dust and sweet hay. A dapple-gray that Jarl occasionally rode nickered when he saw the boy. Jarl smiled and scratched the horse on the nose before heading deeper into the large building.

A high-pitched angry squeal, followed by the thump of hooves against a wooden stall, startled him. By the time most horses made it into the stables, they were quiet. The horses in training and the warhorses were kept elsewhere.

A bucket crashed to the ground. Jarl heard other angry thumps and squeals, and he thought he heard the ghost of a voice screaming: Let me go!

about the author (1)

J.A. CampbellCampbell_authorpic1

Julie has been many things over the last few years, from college student, to  bookstore clerk and an over the road trucker. She’s worked as a 911 dispatcher and in computer tech support, but through it all she’s been a writer and when she’s not out riding horses, she can usually be found sitting in front of her computer. She lives in Colorado with her three cats, her vampire-hunting dog Kira, her new horse and Traveler-in training, Triska, and her Irish Sailor.She is the author of many Vampire and Ghost-Hunting Dog stories and the young adult fantasy series Tales of the Travelers. She’s a member of the Horror Writers Association and the Dog Writers of America Association and the editor for Steampunk Trails fiction magazine.

 

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