Cover Reveal ~ Lady of Shadows

 Today, I am participating 

in the

Sunrise Publishing Cover Reveal

for

Lady of Shadows

Blood of Kings: Legends #3

Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

Title: Lady of Shadows
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends, Book 3
Authors: Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Pre-order sale price: $4.99 (ebook)
Retail price after release: $7.99 (ebook)
Release date: July 15, 2025
Available in ebook, print, and audiobook

SYNOPSIS

The only man she loves is the one she can never have…

Lady Tara’s dreams of marrying for love were shattered with her arranged marriage to
the sickly Lord Gershom. Fine. She may not have love, but she has purpose—a position
of power that lets her make a difference in the kingdom. At least her Carmack, her
fiercely loyal shield, remains by her side, even if she must deny her heart.
Then Lord Gershom dies. And to her horror, Carmack is blamed. Branded a traitor, he
flees, forcing Tara to choose between protecting the life she’s built or following the man
she loves.

Loving her might cost him everything…

Carmack Demry has secretly loved Lady Tara all his life, sworn to protect her at any
cost—even if it meant watching her wed another man. But now, accused of a crime he
didn’t commit, he’s on the run because staying away is the only way to keep her safe.
Except Tara has other plans.

Determined to clear his name, she plunges into a web of treachery and deceit that
reaches far beyond them both—one that threatens the very heart of the kingdom.
Together, they must navigate a world of danger, unravel a conspiracy, and face a choice
more perilous than any battlefield: deny their love or risk everything to claim it.

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book 4: Heir of Light

About the Authors:

Jill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She’s written
over two dozen books for readers of all ages and is best known for her Blood of
Kings fantasy series, two of which won Christy Awards and made VOYA
magazine’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list. She produces films
with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences. 

Visit her at jillwilliamson.com.

Kelly Fernlake loves writing fantasy adventures spun with a touch of romance
and timeless truth. Besides reading and writing, her favorite things include
roaming through castles; classic old movies; comfy sweatshirts; dark chocolate;
and hockey. A North Dakota native, she now lives in Florida with her husband,
two teenagers, and a furball pup. 

Learn more at kellyfernlake.com.

 Available to pre-order at the following online retailers:

Sunrise Shop: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Other retailers: https://books2read.com/boklladyofshadows

 

 

Seer of the Wildwood ~ Review

Seer of the Wildwood

Bonded Realms #1

By Regan Allen

 

This book opens with Marya Santelyn running. Her curse made itself known in a public setting, and whatever she said while in its grip could cost her, her life. Her only hope of escape is in requesting aid from one of the Barbarians crossing through her city. 

 

When a young woman asks him to take her with him, Tam Randene can't refuse her. When he learns she has been blessed with the gift of visions, he vows to be her protector and to hide her in the Wildwood among his people. Now he needs to convince her that her feared curse is the hope of his people.

 

With the immediate danger gone, Marya wants to return home, but Tam is convinced that she must stay safely hidden away. And he can't help himself, he has to win her heart and help her discover just who she truly is. But what Marya sees, scares her. Danger is coming.

 

This is the first book in a new fantasy world. This book finds the main characters dealing with their miscommunications as they confront their feelings. There is a bit of angst amidst various escapes and perilous journeys. Apparently being the first seer in generations is a big thing, and each group wants her for an ability she doesn't want and cannot control. 

The idea behind the book has promise, and it is obvious that it is part of a series, while wrapping up the main focus in this book. There is the potential of additional stories for several of the secondary characters. If you like books that have angsty stories that find the characters in doubt of returned feelings and periods of suspense and danger, you will enjoy this book which is most definitely in the Romantasy category.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

 

About the Book:

She might be his prize, but she can see things he can’t, like a future together.

Marya Santelyn, pampered daughter of the Merchant’s Guild, hides a secret. A power stirs within her, one that could destroy everything she holds dear, or save it. When her ability to see the future becomes too apparent for comfort, the spunky Marya takes matters into her own hands and runs, right into the arms of the enemy.

Tam Randene, warrior of the ancient race that makes the mysterious wildwood their home, never expected one of his tribe’s sworn enemies to request his aid to escape her pursuers, but he swiftly recognizes Marya’s value. The land of Alyna hasn’t had a seer in generations. The man who protects her would have a powerful ally, and the man who wins her heart could well rule all.

Captive among his tribe, Marya begins to learn how to embrace her gift even as she begins to feel far too at home with Tam’s rambunctious family. As her visions become increasingly more dire, she and Tam realize that danger is coming to Alyna, danger that will require her people and his to band together to survive. Can she convince her people to listen, or will they tear her from Tam’s arms? Because her heart tells her something her visions never could: Nothing is more important than being together.

If you like closed door, swoon-worthy fantasy romance—featuring intelligent, determined heroines and untameable, honorable heroes; dual points of view (hers and his); and a happily-ever-after with ongoing world conflict—in a land designed to sweep you away, grab this series starter perfect for fans of Kenley Davidson, K.M. Shea, JA Andrews, and Tara Grayce.

 

Lord of Winter ~ Cover Reveal

Today I'm thrilled to take part in the Cover Reveal for

LORD OF WINTER

by Jill Williamson and Andrew Swearingen.

This is the second book in the

Blood of Kings: Legends

a medieval romantasy series

from Sunrise Publishing.

About the Book:
Eric Livna, lord of the city of Tsaftown, arrives home from war, ready to properly assume the mantle of lordship. But the joyful homecoming is cut short by the return of Eric’s treacherous cousin, Sir Fenris Yarden. Eric is convinced that Fenris is at the center of a nefarious scheme to undermine House Livna. As Eric delves deeper into the mystery, he questions who he can truly trust. Even among his own family.

Lady Viola Livna, Eric’s wife, aids his quest to protect their city against Fenris. But her devotion is not fueled by love, but pragmatism. Five years into their arranged marriage, she knows that her success and the future of her family is tied to the fortune and Eric and their noble house. Yet Viola has a carries her own secrets that she trusts with no one else. Not even her husband.

The threat of Sir Fenris’s schemes force Eric and Viola to trust one another like never before as House Livna faces unseen forces plots stirring in the shadows of the frozen northern city.

LORD OF WINTER releases April 1, 2025 in ebook, print, and audiobook. Keep an eye on Jill's and Andrew's account for information about pre-order swag, which will be announced soon! You can preorder the book at these locations:

Buy link for retailers: https://books2read.com/squireoftruth

Sunrise shop buy link: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Casters and Crowns ~ Review

Casters and Crowns 

by Elizabeth Lowham

In a kingdom divided mistrust and prejudice, Crown Princess Aria seeks to broker a peace to stop a war that could destroy her kingdom forever. But her father's hatred and execution of a young boy have pitted most Casters against the Crown. 

When Aria secretly approaches Widow Morton about an offer of peace she had no idea that she was about to forfeit her own life. Aria speaks the words she feels her father would expect of her. After all as king her father is never wrong and never makes mistakes. But Aria's offer instead brings a curse down upon her and all who live within the castle. 

When Baron Reeves seeks to take his father's place within the nobility he is denied. His crime? He is a Caster and therefore not to be trusted, no matter how loyal he has been to the crown. With a steward put in place the secret Baron is protecting is in danger of being revealed. When Princess Aria reaches out to him requesting help in understanding Casters and their abilities he agrees to share information through letters. 

Aria feels that her father's judgment of Baron was unjust. No crime was committed against the crown and worse no trial with Barron given a chance to plead his case. The king's judgment was swift and permanent. And for Aria to question him is a sign of her insufficiency as the next ruler. Her commitment is questioned and she is chastised for it. 

I really enjoyed this book. There is an overabundance of secrets being held. Some of the secrets are revealed early on, but there are a couple that are revealed near the end of the book and goodness they are kingdom changers. I like Aria, her sister, Baron, and his twin brothers. There are several supporting characters who were just lovely. But the king. Let's just say having power went to his head and he was under the mistaken impression he needed no advisors and that he was perfect because he was king. 

This is a book I would highly recommend. I feel it is appropriate for tweens who are testing the waters of teen fiction and is without all the overblown angst most teen books have that make older readers roll their eyes. There is a definite magic element throughout the book. The romance is there but not taking center stage, though it plays a pivotal roll in several scenes.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. 

Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? 

A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

Cover Reveal for Squire of Truth

Today I'm thrilled to take part in the cover reveal for SQUIRE OF TRUTH by Jill Williamson. This is the first book in the Blood of Kings: Legends medieval romantasy series from Sunrise Publishing. SQUIRE OF TRUTH is a fantasy murder mystery romance perfect for partners-in-crime adventure fans. 

Here's the story: Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage.

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he's a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future.

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

● ● ● ●

SQUIRE OF TRUTH releases January 7 in ebook, print, and audiobook. Keep an eye on Jill's account for information about pre-order swag, which will be announced soon! You can preorder the book at these locations:

Buy link for retailers: https://books2read.com/squireoftruth  

Sunrise shop buy link: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice ~ Review

Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice
Sacrificed Hearts #1
Tara Grayce

Every year a maiden must be sacrificed to appease the dragon and allow the village's olive crop to be blessed. And this year Nessa is the fortunate maiden chosen to give her life for the good of the village. And for some reason she doesn't appreciate the honor that has been bestowed upon her. Not that the village elders feel any need to throw themselves on a stone altar and give themselves over as a tasty dragon snack. Nope not happening ever!

But when the dragon finally comes to accept her sacrifice she's in for a shock. He doesn't eat her! If fact he seems almost friendly. Sure that she's being tested Nessa follows all of the warnings the village elders imparted. She fears if she angers the dragon he may destroy her village or refuse to bless the year's olive crop. 

But how can she follow the rules when what she's being told now is so different than what she's been told her whole life? Who should she believe? The dragon? His servants? Her parents? Or those from her village?

This was an enjoyable book that offers the other side of an evil dragon tale. It was interesting seeing how Nessa navigated the sudden change in her life and tries to make sense of just why she had to be sacrificed. This book definitely examines the fallacies of long-held superstitions. This is a sweet read that offers clean reading. 

This is the first book in the Sacrificed Hearts series. These books, each written by a different author, can be read as standalone titles as they share a similar theme, sacrifice, and not characters or story worlds. This is a book that is appropriate for tweens and up who don't want anything but a pinch of clean romance in their books. 

 

About the Book:

It’s a tale as old as myth and legends: the village maiden sacrificed to a monster.

Every year, Nessa’s village sacrifices a maiden to the dragon in the mountain. If they don’t, the dragon will sweep down from his lair and destroy them all.

When Nessa is chosen to be that year’s sacrifice, she’s prepared to be eaten, as much as anyone can prepare for such a thing. Instead, she finds herself swept away to a world of dragons, gnomes, and fae creatures beyond her imagination, leaving her with more questions than answers. If the maiden’s purpose isn’t to be eaten, then what is the dragon’s reason for the sacrifices? And why is the dragon nothing like what she had been told he would be?

And, most frightening of all, what would happen if she lit the candle and looked upon the dragon’s face?

Loosely inspired by the myth of Psyche and Eros, this humorous romantasy features dragon shifters, quirky fae, and swoony no-spice romance, perfect for fans of Sylvia Mercedes, Kenley Davidson, and K.M. Shea!