Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Sophie Washington: My BFF

by 

Tonya Duncan Ellis

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GENRE: Middle Grade

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BLURB:

Sophie and Chloe have been best friends since they met in kindergarten. They get along like chips and salsa and do everything together from playing tennis to cheering on the school cheer squad. Lately, Chloe’s been leaving Sophie out, and she doesn’t know why. Sophie does everything she can to make her best friend happy, but it’s not working. Then Chloe asks Sophie to fib to a teacher to help her out and she learns the true meaning of friendship.

This is the tenth book in the Readers' Favorite five star rated Sophie Washington book series that includes:

Sophie Washington:Queen of the Bee (Book 1)

Sophie Washington: The Snitch (Book 2)

Sophie Washington:Things You Didn't Know About Sophie (Book 3)

Sophie Washington: The Gamer (Book 4)

Sophie Washington:Hurricane (Book 5)

Sophie Washington:Mission Costa Rica (Book 6)

Sophie Washington:Secret Santa (Book 7)

Sophie Washington: Code One (Book 8)

Sophie Washington:Mismatch (Book 9)

Sophie Washington: My BFF (Book 10)

Kids Ages 8-12

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EXCERPT

The only reason I’m not at the carnival games is because I want to spend time with my BFF, Chloe. We’ve been friends since we shared a swing in kindergarten, and we do everything together, like cheer for our school and play on the tennis team. She’s taller and noisier than I am, but somehow, we belong together, like chips and salsa.

Chloe isn’t in any of my classes this year. During free periods she gets special tutoring for her dyslexia. Don’t ask me what dyslexia means exactly, but she’s not so great at spelling and takes twice as long as the rest of us to do her school work.

Chloe’s been talking about riding the Killer Whale since we were too short to be allowed on roller coasters. I’d do anything for my best friend, and I didn’t want to look like a chicken, so I faced my fear.

Looking back, I still can’t believe I got in line when Chloe begged. The Killer Whale is a perfect name for that ride. Carts race up and down the grayish blue rails like they’re on a speed track, and then drop down huge hills.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Toby, the cutest boy in the sixth grade, stood in front of us in line with his mouth open. “Forget about the baby rides; I want to ride this one the whole time we’re here.”

“This is so cool!” Nathan, Toby’s buddy for the field trip, gave him a high five. “and since there are two tracks, we shouldn’t have to wait long to get on.”

The crowded line came to a standstill and we continued to talk.

“Hey, Sophie, did you start that poetry assignment for English class?” Toby edged around Chloe. “Can you help me with it at school tomorrow? I need to get an A or B to raise my grade.”

“You read the poem yet?” said Nathan, pausing the video game he was playing on his phone and also looking my way. “I can’t figure it out.” 

“Why didn’t you ask me what I think about the poem?” asked Chloe with a frown.

“Well, ah, I didn’t think you were doing the same work,” said Toby.

Her lips curled, and I braced myself.

Chloe is super sweet most of the time, but act like she’s not as smart as someone else, and she changes from cuddly kitten to ferocious tiger.

“As a matter of fact, I am doing the same work,” she said, wrapping her arms around her chest. “Just because I go to a tutor sometimes doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on. I still have the same English assignments as you guys.”

“I don’t think he meant that, Chloe,” I said.

“Yeah, yeah, everybody knows you’re the spelling champion, while I’m the sixth-grade dummy,” said Chloe.

“Now wait a minute…” I said.

Ahhhhh!

Amazon

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tonya Duncan Ellis is the author of the Amazon bestselling, Readers' Favorite "Five Star" rated, Sophie Washington children's books series, geared toward readers ages 8 to 12, and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She has received awards for literary excellence, worked as a journalist and freelance magazine writer, and is a graduate of Centre College of Kentucky and Washington University in St. Louis.

The Sophie Washington book series recounts the adventures of a precocious African American preteen from Houston, TX and her diverse group of friends. Each funny and heartwarming story teaches lessons about friendship, responsibility, truthfulness and perseverance. Books in the series include Queen of the Bee, The Snitch, Things You Didn't Know About Sophie, The Gamer, Hurricane, Mission: Costa Rica,

Secret Santa, Code One and Mismatch.

Tonya loves to travel and has visited 49 American states and three continents, but some of her best journeys have been between the pages of a novel. As a girl she could always be found with a book in her hand, and reading is still one of her favorite hobbies. When she's not reading or writing, the author likes to ride her bike, swim, and spend time with her husband and three children. She lives in Missouri City, TX.

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GIVEAWAY


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The tour dates can be found here




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My review:

4.25 stars

Sophie Washington: My BFF by Tonya Duncan Ellis continues the saga of young Sophie as she deals with peer pressure and expectations of adults. When her best friend Chloe starts acting like she doesn’t value their friendship any longer, Sophie must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to keep her friend in her her life.

The stories in this children’s series are always a wonderful combination of entertainment and education. I enjoy accompanying Sophie through her adventures that touch on very realistic challenges while telling a fun story. Although dyslexia is an element of the tale, angst, jealousy, and peer pressure are also significant aspects as Sophie determines what she is willing to do to fit in. I love that these characters make mistakes but learn from them and continue to grow, and I’m delighted by the way Sophie’s parents approach their children’s problems.

I think this is a great book for stimulating a discussion about such things as dyslexia, plagiarism, peer pressure, and consequences for one’s actions. I always look forward to reading about Sophie’s adventures, and this story was a great addition to a lovely series.

A copy was provided for review

Mrs. Murray's Home by Emily-Jane Hills Orford (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Mrs. Murray's Home

by 
Emily-Jane Hills Orford

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GENRE:   Middle Grade Fantasy

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BLURB:

Home is where the heart is, or so they say. It’s also been said that a home is a person’s castle. But home is also with family and friends. Mrs. Murray longs for home, the family home, a castle an ocean away. The Brownies also crave for home, the same castle Mrs. Murray considers home. And Granny? Mary’s Granny hasn’t been home since she was Mary’s age. It’s time to visit the homeland, Scotland. Mary’s excited to tag along with Granny, Mrs. Murray and the Brownies. And then there’s the witch. The one they thought they’d killed. And the treasure. The one they had found. And it all ties together, for better or for worse. Join the adventure in book 3 of the popular “Piccadilly Street Series”.

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EXCERPT

Yes, she was going to Scotland. It was a dream of hers to visit Scotland, the land of Brownies and grand storytelling. Her Granny was born in Glasgow and spent her early years visiting family in Kinross and at Blair Castle, the home of the Murray clan chief. That’s where they were headed: Blair Castle. Granny was taking Mary and their collection of Brownies, and, of course, the ghost, across the ocean. They were flying. Mary’s first airplane ride. Mary’s first visit outside of Canada. Mary’s first visit overseas. A lot of firsts. It was all very exciting.

           

The Brownies weren’t convinced. Neither was Mrs. Murray. And she was the ghost. They all wanted to go. It was their home. Or, at least it had been their home a long time ago. But flying? That was unnatural. It went against the laws of physics. It went against the laws of their magical powers, too. It was one thing to conjure up a spell and become invisible, or to grow bigger like Brunny did the first time he met Mary. Scared her, too. But that was months ago and the two were now fast friends.

“I can’t go,” a voice sobbed from somewhere underneath the growing piles of unpacked clothes. It was Briddie. “I just can’t go. Flying? No! I can’t!”

“We must, Briddie.” Brunny appeared near the folded pyjamas, Mary’s favorite pink ones.

“There is so much we have to resolve. And I want to see our cousins and Pelly’s son. Perhaps they have grandchildren. I want to know. Don’t you? Don’t you want to connect with our family and friends?”

“Yes, Brunny. But flying?” She peaked out from underneath the pyjamas. “I can’t go inside a metal cavern and allow it to take off into the air, thousands of feet off the ground. Once inside, there’s no escape. We’ll be stuck. Inside. Forever.”

“Just eight hours,” Mary interrupted. “And it’s overnight, so we can sleep the whole time. We’ll be there first thing in the morning.”

“No! No! No! It was bad enough getting on that boat and floating out into the deep, blue ocean. But flying over it? No! I can’t! I just can’t.”

Mary stood there watching the exchange. It was actually a little comical. This couple were the bravest people she had ever met, considering all their past adventures. They really weren’t people, though. They were Brownies. Little people. They lived between the walls and underneath the floors. Magical little people who once called Scotland their home. And they were old. Extremely old. Mary wasn’t sure how old, but they all talked of things they did three and four hundred years ago.

Amazon

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

An avid gardener, artist, musician and writer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford has fond memories and lots of stories that evolved from a childhood growing up in a haunted Victorian mansion. Told she had a ‘vivid imagination’, the author used this talent to create stories in her head, allowing her imagination to lead her into a different world, one of her own making. As the author grew up, these stories, imaginings and fantasies took to the written form and, over the years, she developed a reputation for telling a good story. 

Emily-Jane can now boast that she is an award-winning author of several books, including Mrs. Murray’s Ghost: The Piccadilly Street Series Book 1 (Telltale Publishing 2018) which was named finalist in the 2019 N.N. Light Book Awards, Mrs. Murray’s Hidden Treasure: The Piccadilly Street Series Book 2 (Telltale Publishing 2019), Mrs. Murray’s Home: The Piccadilly Street Series Book 3 (Telltale Publishing 2020), Queen Mary’s Daughter (Clean Reads 2018) which won the 2019 N.N. Light Book Awards, King Henry’s Choice (Clean Reads 2019), and several other books. A retired teacher of music and creative writing, she writes about the extra-ordinary in life and the fantasies of dreams combined with memories. For more information on the author, check out her website.

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY


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The tour dates can be found here


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My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

Mrs. Murray’s Home by Emily-Jane Hills Orford is part of ‘The Picadilly Street’ series and continues the story of young Mary, who is traveling with her grandmother to Scotland. Travelling with her Granny, their Brownies, and Mrs. Murray, their family ghost, they visit the family home, Blair Castle. Unfortunately, the reunion is not going to be the happy homecoming they anticipate, because things are not the way they should be, and who knows what it will take to find a way for them to join forces.

This children’s fantasy story features a brave young girl who has learned to accept fantastical creatures and surprisingly helpful ghosts. It’s possible to read this as a stand-alone but I think it would probably be better to have read one or two of the previous stories, so that one is more familiar with the Brownies, Mrs. Murray the ghost, and their intricate relationship with Mary and the rest of her family.

The airplane trip from Canada to Scotland is a novel experience for everyone, but the Brownies are very amusing (and not worried enough about discovery, lol) travelers. There are plenty of Gaelic names that Mary has evidently become adept at pronouncing, despite her fondness for using nicknames instead. Things are a little confusing for me, since the Brownies have their own hierarchical struggles going on, but evidently no contact with their relatives across the sea. There are magic and spells and multiplicities of Mrs. Murray ghosts, and intervention by someone who I don’t understand remaining in the background for so long if that kind of power was available.

This is a fun imaginative story that blends folklore, magic, and ghosts. There are occasional odd shifts in points of view for those who are concerned with such, and I’m bemused at the thought of getting into a car with someone who has no idea how to drive yet is being taught on the fly, lol, but there are plenty of entertaining elements and I am sure Mary will continue to have more exciting adventures with her unusual friends and companions.

A copy was provided for review

Bet on Love by A.F. Zoelle (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) GRR ADULT title

 

Bet On Love 

ADULT title

by 

A. F. Zoelle

RHYS HUNTINGTON

I went to Las Vegas to marry my fiancée but ended up married to my best man instead. Considering I’m straight, I never imagined I would wake up in bed with a husband. We obviously need to get an annulment to undo our mistake. The only problem is, it turns out my feelings for my best friend Luci aren't quite as platonic as I thought.

What are the odds that my bad idea ends up being the best thing to ever happen to us?

LUCIEN "LUCI" ST. AMOUR

After Rhys and I secretly shared our first kiss as teenagers, I spent years suppressing my confusing feelings for him. But now that he’s my husband, it exposes the truth about the depths of my love for my best friend.

Could I really be lucky enough that he feels the same way about me?  

Bet on Love is the first book in the Good Bad Idea series. This novella features a friends to lovers second chance romance. Full of cute sweetness and sexy fun, every story ends with a satisfying HEA and no cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

Goodreads | BookBub
 

Excerpt:

Chapter 2: Rhys Huntington

I got flustered by the sight of the sheets dipping low on Luci’s hips, his dark hair falling in front of his handsome face. It was a rare treat for me to see him without his glasses on, but it really wasn’t the right time to appreciate that my best friend was attractive.

When he rubbed his eyes, my stomach lurched at the sight of Olivia's wedding ring of two alternating rows of round and baguette diamonds on his ring finger. He had always hated how feminine his long, slim fingers were, and being nearly the same size as Olivia’s annoyed him almost as much as she resented it. I secretly thought his hands were beautifully elegant like a pianist’s, but the presence of my fiancée’s ring set off my rising panic. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

His bleary gaze focused on me with an effort. “Wait, why are you naked?”

“Why are you naked?” Another surge of foreboding flooded through me as a memory of Luci's hands running down my bare spine to cup my ass flickered in my mind. “Lucien, what the fuck did we do last night?” I had progressed to freaking out, because I only used his full name when I was scared or serious.

Eyebrows drawing together in thought, he answered in a questioning tone, “We were celebrating your marriage?”

I was unprepared for being blindsided by remembering kissing Luci at the altar. To stop everything from spinning out, I pressed my palm my forehead to steady myself. “Please tell me we didn’t do what I think we did.”

His blue eyes were full of confusion as he looked at my wedding band, then lifted his hand to see he was wearing Olivia’s. He squinted at it before fumbling for his glasses on the nightstand. After a long look, his voice trembled when he said, “I don’t think I can.”

Amazon

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About A. F.:

A lifelong storyteller, writing has always been A.F. Zoelle’s greatest passion. When she’s not writing about gorgeous men being sexy and in love, she enjoys procrastinating on her studies and numerous side hustles to indulge in Japanese musical theatre. She looks forward to renouncing her nomadic scholarly life someday soon so she can have Ragdoll cats to come home to instead of just dust bunnies.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please follow her on Twitter. You can also follow her on Facebook or sign up below for her newsletter announcements about her latest releases and get access to monthly previews of upcoming books, deleted scenes, and works in progress.

Connect with A.F.:

  Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram  

Website  

Amazon Page | Goodreads | BookBub

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

To celebrate A. F. Zoelle's release, we are giving away 3 eBooks copies of Bet On Love!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a571/?

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My review:
 
 

3.5 stars

Bet on Love by A.F. Zoelle is the first story in the ‘Good Bad Idea’ series and features prospective groom Rhys Huntington and his BFF and best man, Lucien (Luci) St. Amour. A drunken celebration? of the upcoming nuptials results in them attending a Vegas-style wedding…their own!

This gay romance novella is a light fluffy story with two men who have danced around their attraction to each other until the very last minute. It is somewhat of a “gay for you” story on the part of Rhys, who has gone so far as to get engaged to a woman who seems to be very opposite in personality to his best friend Luci.

I liked the elements of Vegas and the VIP wedding package, and the heat that sizzles between the two main characters once they are finally honest with each other, but I wish I had a better understanding of these men and their backgrounds. The secondary characters are also very two-dimensional and somewhat stereotypical, so it’s hard for me to understand how Rhys even got engaged to the unpleasant woman he jilts, and his other two groomsmen don’t seem to be very likeable either. I also thought the final conflict was a little contrived, and the fallout doesn’t bode well for a stable deepening relationship, especially considering the way communication—both in and out of the bedroom—seems a bit weak. Thankfully, this is a romance, and there is a sweet and satisfying ending.

I think this is a quick sexy story that introduces a new series celebrating love and persistence, and it will be enjoyed by anyone needing a reminder of the importance of valuing those who remain true to us.

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

I Know When You're Going To Die by Michael J. Bowler (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

I Know When You're Going To Die

by 

Michael J Bowler

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GENRE: Mystery/Thriller

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BLURB:

Leonardo Cantrell is a painfully shy sixteen-year-old who cannot look people in the eye. One night while he’s volunteering at a homeless shelter, an old man forces eye contact and gives Leo the power to see Death.

His best, and only, friend—J.C. Rivera—thinks this new power is cool until Leo accidentally looks into J.C.’s eyes and “sees” his murder, a murder that will occur in less than two weeks. Stunned and shaken, the two boys sift through clues in Leo’s “vision” in a desperate effort to find the killer and stop him before he can strike.

Aided by feisty new-girl-at-school, Laura, the boys uncover evidence suggesting the identity of the murderer. However, their plan to trap the would-be killer goes horribly awry and reveals a truth that could kill them all.

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EXCERPT

After lunch, we head to a nearby McDonald’s and buy bags of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries to give out on the streets. I make momentary eye contact with each person I hand a bag to because I want them to   know they’re human like me. But I can’t hold it for more than a second until, beneath the dim shade of the freeway overpass on Main Street, this one man grasps my arm as he takes his bag. He’s a regular named Hank, an older guy with a limp who always wears a dirty Dodgers cap and mismatched clothes   I’m sure he found in a dumpster.

“Thank you, Leo.” Hank’s voice is strained, but sincere.

I force myself to look into his grateful eyes and our gazes lock. I can’t    seem to look away. It’s like I’m being drawn into Hank’s  very soul. Then I see it! Gasping, I lurch back and yank my arm away from him.

He recoils, looking stung by my action, and I want to apologize, but no words come. I’m paralyzed by what I just saw and can only offer him a silent nod.

Gripping the bag with gnarled fingers, Hank lurches down Main Street until he reaches the corner and turns out of sight.

J.C. steps around in front of me. “Hey, Leo, you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.”

“I know… when he’s… going to… die.” I barely get the words out.

J.C. stares at me. “Huh?”

 Amazon buy link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He majored in English/Theatre at Santa Clara University, earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and a master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Michael taught high school in Hawthorne, California, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities. When Michael is not writing, you can find him volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and raising his newly adopted son. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles.

Social Media:

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GIVEAWAY

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My review:

4.25 stars

I Know When You’re Going to Die by Michael J. Bowler follows sixteen-year-old Leonardo (Leo) Cantrell as he navigates life more interested in serving the less fortunate than keeping up with the latest fashion trends. An unexpected “gift” results in his being able to foretell a person’s death after looking into their eyes. Facing bullies at school and trying to come to terms with his newfound power, Leo must discover a way to change the outcome of his visions or risk losing his best friend permanently.

This young adult story provides a unique twist on the angst of teen existence as Leo battles not only peer pressure, bullying, entitlement, abandonment, and discriminatory behavior, but also has to deal with the horrendous responsibility conferred upon him by an elderly man. The story is told in first person point of view in the present tense, so it was a little challenging for me to get used to at first, but eventually I became caught up in the action. One of the things I was fascinated by was the glimpse of my city through Leo’s eyes. Of course, I have never traveled in those “entitled” circles, but I have definitely driven down some of the streets mentioned, so it was fun to read about the kids’ adventures in familiar areas.

I like the thought-provoking question of cause and effect and the twists and turns of Leo’s adventures, but I would have liked to have a little more depth to the characters. Those who are squeamish should be warned that there is a bit of carnage and death in the story, plus some spookiness, but the action escalates and keeps one enthralled and cheering for the good guys to win.

A copy of this story was provided for review

Tour for Gods of Merlin by Priya Ardis (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Gods of Merlin

by

 Priya Ardis

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GENRE: YA Fantasy Paranormal

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BLURB:

GREAT GREEK GODS. THEY ARE COMING.

Foster kid and occasional shoplifter Eowlyn Patience just wants to fit into her Boston high school. When the Sword In The Stone falls out of the sky like a meteor into the middle of London’s Trafalgar Square, everything changes. Then, an enigmatic golden-eyed man arranges for her to attend a school for the gifted in England, and the irritatingly perfect Matt Emrys from science class turns out to be Merlin—the Merlin, King Arthur’s greatest wizard.

Frozen in a cave for fifteen hundred years, Merlin has woken to find the next Arthur. Eowlyn Patience’s mysterious admittance to Avalon Preparatory was not something he foresaw…a disturbing aberration when his most powerful gift happens to be visions of the future.

The race to find the rightful heir rages between deadly gargoyles, wizards, and Regulars, but figuring out the troubled Eowlyn might be by-the-book Merlin’s hardest job yet. She’s altogether the wrong girl. Torn between what is right and what saves lives, will Eowlyn do what it takes to win—even if it means sacrificing Merlin to a god?

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EXCERPT

A gorgeous underwear-model of a man in a black suit cleaned his sword with a tissue. He threw the bloodied rag on top of the half-man, half-beast. I tensed as he reached inside his coat pocket, but he only took out a clipboard and black sunglasses. He put the sunglasses on. “Eowlyn Patience?”

A little dumbstruck, I nodded at the beautiful killer with blood on his face.

“Pretty name.” He smiled wistfully. “I once knew an Eowlyn.”

The comment knocked me out of my trance. “No one has ever heard of the name Eowlyn.”

He shrugged. “Surprise. Now, you have met me.”

I put my hands on my hips. “What do you want?”

He gave me an amused smile. “I will be your driver today. Don’t forget to grab your bags. We should leave now before you have any more visitors.”

I pointed to the corpse on the floor. “I am not going anywhere with you, serial killer.”

“Is that so? Let me be clear—I just saved your life. More hunters will be coming.” Black-Suit tucked a pencil behind his ear and the clipboard under his elbow. He stepped to the side and pointed at an idling black luxury sedan. “I’ll be waiting in the car. For when you change your mind.”

Amazon link 

Also find me on Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Priya Ardis loves books of all kinds--but especially the ones which make your nose leak and let your chai go cold. Her novels come from a childhood of playing too much She-Ra and watching too much Spock. Her bestselling series, My Boyfriend Merlin, about Merlin going to high school is a YA contemporary fantasy and romance for those like road trips, wizards, Greek gods, and gender-bent quests.

Talk to me!

My website.

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GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway



The tour dates can be found here

***********************

 My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

Gods of Merlin by Priya Ardis is a young adult fantasy story that introduces the series of the same name. Eowlyn Patience has finally found a foster family that she is comfortable with, but she still doesn’t quite fit in with her peers at school. When she is forcibly recruited to join a quest that takes her to a magic school in England, she discovers that some of her classmates have more in common with her than she realized. Unfortunately, there are many forces at work, and discovering her connection to the stuff of legends embroils her in a struggle for the legendary sword Excalibur while trying to stay alive. Identifying foes and allies is virtually impossible when nobody is who they seem and she doesn’t even know why she’s in the middle of a world-changing conflict.

This engaging story was a nice twist on Arthurian legends, bringing many of the major characters into modern situations but keeping a magical twist to their trials. The hints of interference by gods from mythology add an intriguing dimension, and I hope subsequent stories in the series untangle some of the dangling threads that were established in this story. There are teen angst issues alluded to, including the awkward dance of attraction complicated by sibling (however old they may be) rivalry, and it was difficult for me to establish a connection to any of the characters at first, but that gradually changed.

I think it can be difficult to start a series because there are so many details that have to be established, but I’d like a little more depth to the characters so that I have a better idea of their motivations. There is apparently another series that came before this one, so it is possible that a lot of the backstory was presented in those books.

Those who enjoy magic or tales of King Arthur and young adult fantasy stories should give this a try and get to know these remarkable youngsters.

A copy of this title was provided for review