Book Spotlight: Fairest Son by H.S.J. Williams

Hi, friends and readers! I have something quite special for you today ... one of my blogger friends is releasing her first work of fiction! *cheers excitedly* It's a fairytale retelling novella and I myself can hardly wait to read it! I love fairytale retellings, and I'm certain that whatever Ms. Williams writes will be worth reading. Congrats, sweet friend!

Lean all about it below!

About the Book

The Fair and Foul courts of the fey folk have long yearned for one to bring them together in peace, but hopes are dashed when the fairest prince and the prophecy concerning him are laid to ruin. Burdened with shame and sorrow, the prince flees to the cold mountains far above the forests and lochs with nothing but animals and goblins for company.

When a human huntress stumbles upon him in her search for a legendary predator, their fates are intertwined. But she hides deadly secrets, and if he dares to trust her, he may risk the doom of both courts to an ancient evil...

A novella retelling of Snow White

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About the Author

From the beginning, H. S. J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.

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Facebook Page

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About the Artist

Irina Plachkova is an acclaimed artist, freelance illustrator, and fashion designer, better known as PhantomRin. You can find more of her work at phantomrin.tumblr.com.

Schedule

August 4th: 

Book Spotlight with Bryn at

https://todaybybryn.wordpress.com

August 5th: 

Book Spotlight with Skye at  

https://inkcalamities.blogspot.com/

August 6th: 

Book spotlight with Jemma at

http://thesherwoodstoryteller.blogspot.com.au/ 

Author interview with Sarah at

http://dreams-dragons.blogspot.com 

August 7th: 

Author Interview with Olivia at

https://the-book-sprite.blogspot.com/ 

August 8th: 

Book Spotlight with Amber at 

https://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/

Book Spotlight with Rebekah Gyger at

http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/ 

August 9th: 

Book Spotlight with Shantelle at

http://shantellemary.blogspot.com/

Book Spotlight with Laura at 

https://unicornquester.com

Book Spotlight with Emmarayn at

http://writinginrivendell.blogspot.com/

August 10th: 

Book Spotlight with Betsy at 

https://metaphoricalcello.wordpress.com/ 

Character Spotlight with Jenelle at 

http://jenelleschmidt.com 

August 11th

Author Interview with Beka at

http://www.rgremikova.wordpress.com 

Character Spotlight with Kendra at

http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com 

Book Review: This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

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Title: This Quiet Sky

Author: Joanne Bischof

Series: The Cadence of Grace Novella

Genre: Historical

Audience: Young Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams. Go to college. Become president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay—the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra—she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

This book ... so sad, but so beautiful! Joanne Bischof writes with such tenderness and grace! I loved her other books, and loved this bittersweet, little novella, This Quiet Sky.

It centers around a sixteen-year-old girl, Sarah, who attends a one-room schoolhouse in 1885. There she meet Tucker O'Shay, the boy who rocks her world; who heightens her dreams. The boy who is ill. In a breathless tale of discovery and heartache, we hear Sarah's story.

     This Quiet Sky connects to Joanne Bischof's THE CADENCE OF GRACE series; Sarah to be Lonnie Sawyer's aunt.

I'm not one for tragedies, but there's just something about this simple, impacting short story. The classic-ness and warmth to the writing. The vividness of the characters and their emotions and dreams. The message to live every moment to the fullest! Aw, it was radiantly beautiful in a heart-squeezing way. I appreciated how it showed the journey through fear and grief. Though mournful in many ways, This Quiet Sky somehow bursts with hope.

Note: This is definitely a romance, and there is some kissing. Some kissing scenes were a bit much in my opinion. I would recommend at least 16 and up.

It could feel something like Janette Oke's or L.M. Montgomery's novels. Such a sweet, lyrical, old-fashioned touch to the writing style. (Though it was written in first person, I believe).

Anyway, I loved it in some way or another. The Epilogue was precious, in, yes, a bittersweet kind of way. I do like how it ties into THE CADENCE OF GRACE series ... makes me want to read them again!

Don't miss this heartfelt, historical tale! It's truly touching. I can't wait to read more by Joanne Bischof!

Book Review: Lost Lake House by Elisabeth Grace Foley

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Title: Lost Lake House

Author: Elisabeth Grace Foley

Series: Historical Fairytales #2

Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling/Historical

Audience: Teen - Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Twelve Dancing Princesses meets the heady glamor and danger of the Jazz Age 

All Dorothy Perkins wants is to have a good time. She’s wild about dancing, and can’t understand or accept her father’s strictness in forbidding it. Night after night she sneaks out to the Lost Lake House, a glamorous island nightclub rumored to be the front for more than just music and dancing … in spite of an increasingly uneasy feeling that she may be getting into something more than she can handle.

Marshall Kendrick knows the truth behind the Lost Lake House—and bitterly hates his job there. But fear and obligation have him trapped. When a twist of circumstances throws Dorothy and Marshall together one night, it may offer them both a chance at escaping the tangled web of fear and deceit each has woven … if only they are brave enough to take it.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

A retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses + the Roaring Twenties = a dazzling tale that is sure to intrigue and delight! I absolutely loved this beautiful little novella.

A girl who loves dancing but is forbidden to by her strict father. A boy who will do anything to keep his mother and brothers and sisters fed. A magical night across the lake. Is everything glitz and glam as it seems? Or are there dire consequences underneath the fun?

Though Lost Lake House takes place in a non-magical, historical setting, it has such a fairytale-ish feel about it. I was captivated at once, and could hardly stop reading. Maybe it was the glamorous air of the Roaring '20s; that is one of my favorite eras! Perhaps it was the dancing, or the mysteriousness and secrets. Or the lovely, flowing writing and the flawless descriptions! I was enraptured. The historical feel. The beauty. It was dazzling for sure. Elisabeth Grace Foley writes beautifully.

I so appreciated the lesson learned, and the warning sounding amidst the desire to rebel. It was such an exciting, but dangerous; bitter, but sweet story of coming-of-age. Dorothy Perkins has to decide what's worth what. Lost Lake House definitely had a solemn note, but it turned out so endearing! There is some slightly mature themes; talk about illegal drinking and man getting a girl alone and trying to kiss her. But I think it's perfect for teens; I think it's something they could really relate to. And an enjoyable read for adults also. I loved it. It's real, thoughtful, captivating, and just blesses your heart ultimately! ^_^

Very well done. Great characters. Awesome setting. Wonderful story. I highly recommend.

I received a copy of Lost Lake House from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Draven's Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

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Title: Draven's Light

Author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood #7.5

Genre: Fantasy

Audience: Young Adult

~ MY REVIEW ~ 

**5 stars**

Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s stories are always so incredible! Draven’s Light was no different. Amazing. Tender. Intriguing. True love. Simply grand. I just heart it! ^_^

We meet a little girl who brings water to two brothers (they’re rather famous in my eyes, if you’ve read all the other TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD books!) as they’re building the House of Lights. The Kind One begins to tell the little girl a story. A story a cowardice. A story of bravery. A story of terror. A story of redemption.

I was enthralled almost from page one. Something about the lovely, mysterious way Anne Elisabeth writes ... it just pulls you in! Draven’s Light has to be one of the best novellas I have ever read. Let’s just say it’s the best. I’m longing for Poison Crown: The Smallman’s Heir!! And then of course, Poison Crown: The House of Lights right after that! *winks and grins*

Anyway, this was a heart-rending story. And it had a dash of spookiness—but I felt that was very tasteful and never went too far. There were tears, and gasps, and shivers, and sighs. The characters—awesome. Loved it!!

If you haven’t read any of the TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD books, they are an amazing, Christian allegory, fantasy series. As I’ve been talking a lot about magic lately, I’ll touch on that in this review. Anne Elisabeth very much creates a unique fantasy world. I don’t feel there’s really much “magic”, but there is a fae world as well as a mortal world. From what I'm remembering, there may be an instance or two in the series where some happening seems a little bit like sorcery, but its always the dark work of the bad guys exclusively. Evil creatures from the fairy realm that slip into the mortal world and create havoc among misunderstanding mortals. A higher Being (God) known as the King of Farthest Shore, and His son, the Prince of Farthest Shore (Jesus). The creepy Dragon who represents Satan. Lessons and things symbolic to the Christian faith abound in this series, as well as adventure, action, fairytale-ness, and a touch of romance! *smiles* I find them to be poignant and profound stories.

So yes! Give the TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD a try! (I would recommend reading them in the order published). The superb Draven’s Light is waiting for you to open it! *grins*

I received a copy of Draven's Light from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Cover Reveal: Half-Blood by Jaye L. Knight

     Cover reveal for the prequel novella of one of my favorite series ever . . . Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight!! ^__^ Epic Christian fantasy, guys!! <3

     Without further ado, take a look at Half-Blood . . .

About the Book

The gasps and murmuring grew. Though some were hardly more than whispers, clear words reached Jace’s ears—dangerous, monster, animal, soulless. He tried to back away from their accusing eyes, but the collar pulled hard against his throat and held him in place.

For all his years as a slave, Jace has known nothing but the hatred people hold for his mixed blood—one half human, the other half the blood of a race considered monsters. Always, he is the outsider and quickly learns it is better to keep to himself. But, when his volatile ryrik blood leads him to do the unthinkable, he is thrown into a world of violence and bloodshed.

Forced to become a gladiator, Jace finds more and more of his heart dying as his master works to break down his will not to become the monster everyone believes he is. When a stranger interferes with his master’s harsh punishment, Jace’s world is upended yet again. But with it comes the possibility of hope that has long since died. Could the man possibly hold the key to escaping the hopeless darkness that is Jace’s life? Is there such a thing as life beyond the cruelty of slavery?

See where Jace’s story all began . . .

Coming This Summer

About the Author

     Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Giveaway

As part of a month long celebration for the one year publication anniversary of Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles - Book 1), Jaye is giving away several fun prizes! Enter for a chance to win using the form below! U.S. entries only please.

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