Silent Stars ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Silent Stars

Tomorrow's Edge #3

By Brett Armstrong

Silent Stars opens with the threat closing in on Elliott as he attempts to retrieve files that his grandfather hid away before his death. Elliott manages to escape due to his girlfriend Lara, but the secrets he's keeping are about to drive a wedge between them. Secrets that are revealed when the Siegers catch up to them. Whoops, the time for coming clean has just passed. 

Project Alexandria may have been stopped, but something worse is then revealed - the Babel Initiative. And it is a global threat. What's worse, Elliott knows something about the whole situation feels off, but he can't pinpoint what exactly. And until he does, his life and the lives of those aiding him are in danger.

Now I will say reading the first two books in the series is probably a good idea. If you don't, the lack of backstory will confuse you about what is happening. If you haven't read the previous two books, you could still enjoy the book, just with some gaps in needed information - like why everything is happening. 

Elliott and his girlfriend Lara are teenagers who just want to live Normal. Not on the run. Not trying to save the world and the people from something they don't even realize is a threat. But normal has a way of changing and getting it back just might be impossible. But they have to try - for themselves and the rest of the world.

This is a near-dystopian sci-fi read with threads of Christianity running through it. There is plenty of action and a few mysteries as to just what the enemy is attempting to do and how they seemingly know where the Siegers are hiding out. Is it a mole or something far more sinister? Hmmm. This book can hold one's attention from beginning to end and is worth the time spent reading.

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

Title: Silent Stars
Series: Tomorrow's Edge #3
Author: Brett Armstrong
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Genre: Christian, Dystopian, Science Fiction

AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as Siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many Siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give up. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More in This Series

 

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About the Author

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow's Edge), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

Connect with Brett by visiting brettarmstrong.net to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card, print copy of Silent Stars, and a poster of a scene from the Tomorrow's Edge series!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open to winners in the US, Canada, Australia, and UK only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Drawn Through Blood ~ Cover Reveal

 Today, I'm taking part in the Cover Reveal for

John W. Otte's Drawn Through Blood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m pleased to be sharing the cover for 

John W. Otte’s upcoming book,
Drawn through Blood! 

This is the second book in his science fantasy
trilogy loosely based on the book of Esther. It’s the sequel to the
award-winning first book, Drawn in Ash.

Want to know more about the book? 

Here’s what’s on the book’s back cover:

WHAT WILL THEY HAVE TO SACRIFICE TO SAVE THEIR KINGDOM?

Everys never dreamed she would one day be queen of the Xoniel Dynasty,
let alone actually fall in love with the king. But as political
compromises, accusations from the former queen, and the unexpected
arrival of her father threaten to tear her marriage apart, Everys
struggles to find her place and power as queen. With so many crises
converging to destroy her husband’s reign, she has to save the very
family who tried to destroy her people and her homeland.
Narius wants to build a fair and just society for all who live in the
Dynasty’s holdings. But his right to reign is being challenged by the
former leader of his military and the head of his people’s religion.
Narius will have to prove his worth through not only ritual combat, but
also through costly compromises to placate his nobility.
The Dynasty is falling apart without and within, and Everys and Narius
battle to hold both their reign and their marriage together. But
salvaging the fractured Dynasty will require sacrifice, and they may
just find that the price is much higher than they ever could have
imagined.

Now for the cover reveal...

This cover was created by Kirk DouPonce 

of DogEared Design and 

is the perfect pairing with Drawn in Ash!

Paperbacks and ebooks will be available from Amazon 

and other major retailers when 

the book releases on December 14!

#coverreveal #bookcover #coverlove #DrawnthroughBlood #gottabebae
#alegacyofink #sciencefantasy #johnwotte #authorsofinstagram
#bookstagram #newbook

The Questmaster's Trap ~ Review

The Questmaster's Trap

Champion's Quest #2

By Frank L. Cole

The second book in the Champion's Quest takes the reader on a journey fraught with danger. When Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine answer a summons from Hob, they are expecting to enter their next quest. But rather, they find that not everything is as to seems and have unwittingly walked into a trap that could destroy everything.

But to survive, the Wild Crows need to up their skill level fast and replace a missing player. Because if they can't, they may fail, and failure isn't an option, not with the fate of everything and everyone depending on them.

This is a fast-paced, action-filled book that will grab the attention of pre-teen readers. The gaming world setting is a draw that will pull them into the story. But winning isn't the sole focus as the Wild Crows will need to work together and trust one another if they hope to succeed. Going it alone sometimes isn't enough, and sometimes teamwork is what is necessary to see a problem from all sides while coming up with a solution that has the best chance of success.

While our heroes are battling a range of mythological creatures, there is nothing over-the-top in regard to violence. There is no graphic anything or no offending language. This is just good clean reading with a sci-fi/fantasy adventure with a few twists and turns. 

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

About the Book:

Hello, Brave Reader: You’re just in time to roll the Die of Destiny and play a game of Champion’s quest. The wizard Questmaster Hob has summoned the Wild Crows on a new adventure. But not everything is what it seems.

A new, sinister Questmaster creates chaos for Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine. They are ill-prepared to fight stronger, challenging monsters, including an evil centaur who has taken a magical ally hostage. As the Wild Crows journey to rescue her, they encounter shadow elves, troltusses, and giants. They also learn new skills and strategies, and discover their quest is more than just a game this time. The fate of the world of Champion’s Quest—including the lives of the wizards Hob and Bogie—hangs in the balance.

Can the Wild Crows prevail? Will the luck of the dice be in their favor? Can they gather the right magical items and overcome their weaknesses? It will take true champions and a bit of luck to win this gripping, fantastical, high-stakes adventure.

Kings and Captives ~ Review

Kings and Captives

The Journals of Voren #1

By Dana Pratola

Evangeline has been warned all her life to stay away from the lighthouse, but she is drawn there and the very fate her late mother feared is about to befall her. By venturing where a past kidnapping occurred Evangeline has placed both herself and Daniel, her best friend, almost-like a brother, in danger. Worse there is no way to stop the strangers who are about to pluck them from Earth and deposit them on a new and foreign world. Though those taking them are more than ready to inform Evangeline that it is she who is strange and foreign and not them.

Ryor must take a wife before he can become king, and his father has recommended (more like commanded) that Ryor's bride must be from Earth. Unfortunately Evangeline has become his woman of choice and refusal on her part is not really an option. Worse if she keeps resisting her life would be forfeit and Ryor is not above using his strength to force Evangeline to see things his way.  And if she wants to see Daniel live she may have to bow to his brutish will and become his bride and Princess of Voren.

This book is one of those love it - hate it books. The writing is good and the author draws you into the story from the first page but there are characters you just can't stand and you wish blights upon them. I want to know what comes next in book 2 as the author left the reader wondering what Evangeline was planning as payback. 

I do think that the main characters come off as brats who are too use to getting their own ways and as such are destined to forever be locked in an battle of temperament and wills. Ryor and Evangeline both seem unduly impressed with themselves and their superiority while failing to see their own flaws have gotten them into the situation they now find themselves in. 

Now for those seeking a clean, gentle read this book has a few scenes that knock it out of this category (and made me squirm as I read them I'd say PG-13+ in a few places). Voren is a planet that seems to feel any who are not of the blood of the royal family are nothing more than property - and the royal family can lay claim to anyone they want and just as easily discard them on a whim.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Ryor’s father wishes him to marry an Earth. He agrees, though for different reasons. Not only does he need her to bear him a child, but wishes to use her as a negotiating tool. When he finds a woman wandering in the woods of Washington State, she’s disagreeable and resistant to being taken from her home world. How could she not want to be a princess?

Evangeline wants to live life on the edge, but she’s found more excitement than she knows what to do with when she and her best friend Daniel are kidnapped and dropped onto an alien planet in another dimension. Her captor is literally prince of this world. And doesn’t he know it? She doesn’t want to marry him, but becoming princess of this strange world may be her only hope of saving Daniel. Though, it might not be so easy if Ryor learns she found his mother’s secret journal.

Force Collector ~ Review

Force Collector

Journey to Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

By Kevin Shinick

Narrated by Euan Morton

Karr Nuq Sin has a sensitivity to certain objects - objects that have a history that ties them to the Force. Only his grandmother believes him that touching the objects brings on visions - visions that show jumbled memories of the past. Karr's parents are convinced that he has a health issue and they drag him from one specialist to another. 

But the day he meets Maize Raynshi changes everything. For one he finally has a friend and she is about to offer him the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to search for more Jedi artifacts and discover the truth about himself. And if he has to take part in a little rebellion, well let's just say it's time for Karr to cause a little bit of trouble.

Now this book doesn't really have much of a tie-in to The Rise of Skywalker rather it is a standalone title aimed at the YA audience. This book offers a glimpse into a world, a galaxy, that has for the most part grown-up without the Jedi. They have been feed lies about who they were. Few know that the deception perpetrated by Emperor Palpatine was not a Jedi insurrection but rather a Jedi slaughter with the Jedi as the victim. This book is a hunt for the history of the Jedi and a search for purpose. Overall a nice addition to the new Star Wars canon. 

I listened to the audio version (thanks to my library) and the book is well presented. The narration by Euan Morton has no issues - the narration is excellent with good pacing and clear speaking. I highly recommend this book especially if you are looking for a fairly quick read/listen. The playtime is just under 8-1/4 hours and in my case 2 weeks worth of commute listening.

About the Book:

Karr is a teenage boy like many others in the galaxy. He goes to school, helps his parents with the family business, likes speeders and droids. But Karr also has a secret: when he touches certain objects, he gets searing headaches and blacks out. And along with the pain sometimes come visions of people he doesn't know and places he's never been.

Karr's parents worry that he's sick; his grandmother is convinced the visions come from the Force. But it's been years since anyone has heard from the last of the Jedi-Luke Skywalker. Are there any Jedi left to guide Karr in the use of his abilities? Is anyone even willing to talk about the Jedi and what happened to them, as their memory continues to fade and the First Order rises? Stuck on his isolated home planet, Karr becomes a collector of historical artifacts, hoping to one day find an object that will give him a vision about the secrets of the Jedi.

When his grandmother dies and his parents announce they're sending him away to a school on the other side of the planet, Karr reaches his breaking point. He needs to know what his destiny holds, and whether the Jedi are involved. Accompanied by Maize, the blunt, unpredictable new girl at school with ties to the First Order, and RZ-7, Karr's solicitous droid companion, he sets off into the larger galaxy to find the truth. His adventures will take him from Utapau to Jakku to Takodana and beyond as he learns more about the Jedi than he could have expected?and about his own place in the Force.

Rebel in the Library of Ever

Rebel in the Library of Ever

The Library of Ever #2

By Zeno Alexander

Read by Emily Lawrence

It has been nearly a year, and Lenora is finally back in the Library but nothing is as it was. The Forces of Darkness have taken over and what's worse some of the patrons approve of the changes. Books are no longer on the shelves and the truth is being hidden by the false librarians of darkness. Book of falsehoods and hate have been released to the shelves. Librarians are being fired if they don't comply with this destruction of knowledge. 

The Library's only hope is Lenora and her inner strength. She is on a mission - save the Library, find a young girl (making sure only ever tells her the truth-no matter what), find an ancient librarian named Zenodotus. All while battling the Forces. Oh, and then there is the small matter of finding the largest known number for a young patron. All in a day's work for a librarian.

I listened to this book through the audio edition and Emily Lawrence's narration is fabulous. 

I have to say I'm hoping for a third Library of Ever book, as there are sure to be more adventures and questions in Lenora's future! And be on the lookout for a suspicious Koala. 

Prospector's Run ~ Review and Giveaway

Prospector's Run 

Artifacts #1

By Kevin W. Bates

Holtz Mitsumi had wagered on an incredible find, a find that didn't happen. Worse, it put him in debt with no hopes of ever flying again. But a desperate man in need of a crew may give Holtz what he needs, a chance to once again captain a ship and redeem himself. And provide him with a means of completing a mission of his own. Holtz discovered an alien artifact, an artifact that is seemingly worthless but for compulsion he now feels. A compulsion to return it to its place of origin, wherever that may be.

There is just one little problem - a powerful adversary is determined to stop them and their haphazard crew of misfits. With an old ship and a less than ideal crew, what hope do they have of succeeding, much less surviving their prospector run? They say fortune favors the foolish, but in Holtz's experience, that has never happened for him. But maybe this time will be different or not.

Prospector's Run is an intriguing read, one that takes the reader into a new world - a world in search of the past and all its lost technologies. But finding these lost worlds that were destroyed several millennia ago will take more than luck. It will take a ragtag crew coming together and overcoming the ghosts of their pasts. But secrets are hard to let go of, especially if they make you vulnerable.

If you are looking for a compelling SciFi read this is it. And even better it is the first book in a series, a series which has a most promising beginning. So strap in and get ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime with Captain Holtz Mitsumi and his crew. 

 

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

** Fun fact book 2 Dawn's Reach is already out **

Book Description:

Five thousand years ago in a savage assault, someone tried to annihilate humanity. They almost succeeded. Now, millennia after the First Stellar Civilization’s cataclysmic destruction, humans have clawed their way back from the brink of extinction and returned to the stars. Massive riches in the form of forgotten tech lie hidden in the ruins of the First Civ’s dead, shattered worlds. For a prospector with luck and the right coordinates, they are ripe for the taking. Holtz Mitsumi has neither. Down and out from a failed expedition, Mitsumi allows an enigmatic stranger to talk him into one more prospecting run. After scraping together a crew, Mitsumi embarks with high hopes. But nothing is as it seems and this run may be his last.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title:  Prospector's Run by Kevin W. Bates

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  277 pages

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher:  Kevin W. Bates

Release date:   April 2019

Tour dates: Nov 23 to Dec 11, 2020

Content Rating:  PG for mild profanity and some depictions of violence.

Meet the Author:

Kevin W. Bates was born in Berkeley, California, and, with the exception of a couple year stint in Sydney, Australia, and a study abroad program in Japan, was raised there. In his Martin Luther King Jr. High and Berkeley High School years, Kevin developed a life-long fascination with science fiction (and, oddly, nuclear weapons) and a tendency to daydream. He discovered early that among the greatest joys in life is the thrill of losing yourself in a gripping space adventure soaring across the galaxy. Raised on classic science fiction authors such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ray Bradbury, Kevin took up writing science fiction to provide the same mind-expanding thrills he enjoyed from those authors and more contemporary ones like Alastair Reynolds, Iain M. Banks, David Brin, and Neal Stephenson.

Connect with the author: 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Tour Schedule:
Nov 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review/guest post/author interview/giveaway
Nov 24 – Sadie's Spotlight – book spotlight
Nov 25 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book spotlight / guest post/giveaway
Nov 26 –Rockin' Book Reviews – book review/guest post/giveaway
Nov 27 – fundinmental – book spotlight/giveaway
Nov 30 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Dec 1 – Library of Clean Reads - book review/giveaway
Dec 2 –Locks, Hooks and Books – book review/giveaway
Dec 3 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight/giveaway
Dec 3 -The Review Crew - book review/giveaway
Dec 8 – Literary Flits – book review/giveaway
Dec 8 - My Fictional Oasis - book review/giveaway
Dec 9 – Cheryl's Book Nook – book review/giveaway
Dec 10 – Books and Zebras @jypsylynn – book review/giveaway
Dec 11 - Blooming with Books - book review/giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

Win 1 of 5 copy of Prospector's Run (print or ebook) 

or

$50 Amazon Gift Card 

(6 winners)

(USA and Canada only)

(ends Dec 18)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Burden of Proof ~ Review

Burden of Proof

By Davis Bunn

Ethan's life has been a course of missed chances. Now that he has the chance to look back upon it he has regrets, regrets that have just added one upon the other. His biggest regret, his brother's murder, and the anger between them that was never resolved before Adrian was stolen out of his life forever. Now Ethan has been given a chance to undo the past, but there is a catch. Saving the past for his brother will cost Ethan his future.

Burden of Proof has an intriguing premise one that most people would most likely be at least tempted by. Do you have regrets? Is there one incident in the past that you would undo if you could? If you could stop a loved one from making a choice that would destroy their life would you? And how would this change affect the world? I have to say I really enjoy books that make one think about what if. What if I could change the decision I made that put me on a specific life path. Would I seize the opportunity or would I rather live with the regrets I know? 

I will say the first couple chapters, to me, seemed to drag as we are introduced to Ethan in his "now" life, which is for the most part is a sad reflection on a life that never reached its full potential. This reflection sets us up for the choice Ethan's sister-in-law offers him - give up his future for the chance to stop Adrian's murder. He just needs to remember as he displaces his younger self. 

The majority of this book takes place in Florida, so I really liked taking a trip back to Jacksonville, a place that I was familiar with as a kid as I lived near there. Occasionally we took a trip into the big city and this literary visit reminded me of memories that included my grandparents and my dad. But it was fun reading a book in which I was actually familiar with the locale.

Overall I really enjoyed this book especially after Ethan made his transit to the past. It was interesting to see how the characters changed due to the change that Ethan's new perspective had on how he was living. That is the one thing I like with the various works that Davis Bunn puts forth one never feels as if it is all cookie-cutter cutouts that have been redecorated but rather a whole new recipe that is never to be repeated and therefore not to be missed when the opportunity to sample it is presented. Don't miss out on this newest literary delight that has a twist of the speculative thrown into a mystery.

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:

Just weeks before his twenty-first birthday, Ethan missed the chance to save his brother's life when he was murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. Ever since that fateful day, Ethan has sensed a deep disconnect between the man he should have been and the one he has become. His days play out a beat too slow, his mind replaying the scene of his failure again and again.

But when his brother's widow appears, asking for his help in uncovering what was really behind his brother's death, Ethan is stunned to hear that she and her late husband were involved in a much larger case than he knew--one that threatens the global power structure. As Ethan joins the search for answers, he will enter into his own past--and discover a means of redeeming his future.

Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn invites you into a world of intrigue as a man held captive by his failure learns how to move forward with hope.

The Midnight Show ~ Reveiw

The Midnight Show
By Sarah Pennington

Dayo Temitrope has a problem - she's putting her career in jeopardy and she can't remember a thing about it the next morning when she wakes up. Worse she has now ruined her favorite pair of red heels. But to solve this mystery will take someone who is very discreet. Dayo doesn't want anyone to know what's happening as they would probably think she was totally wackers.  

Fortunately her manager Geir Olvinsson knows just who will get the job done - private investigator Bastian Dennel. Bastian is sure he can get to the bottom of Dayo's problem with a bit of investigating but to do a thorough job of it he'll have to get a lot closer to Dayo than she wants. 

But when the nightmare she lives each night is revealed she just might have to reconsider just how close she'll let a pi get.

The Midnight Show has a swing-era feel to it with a double dash of fairy/fantasy thrown in giving it a unique and distinct flavor all its own. This is a fun twist on the Twelve Dancing Princesses that will leave the reader wondering what will come next in the lives of these characters. This is my first experience with Sarah Pennington's work and I can say I appreciate the world that she has created and liked the interactions between the characters.

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: 

This mystery is the case of his dreams — and her nightmares. 

By day, Dayo Temitrope is a swinging singer, an up-and-coming star with a shining career ahead of her. By night, she’s . . . well, she’s not sure, but whatever she does leaves her every morning with sore feet and worn-out shoes. And after six months, she’s had enough. 

Enter Bastian Dennell, a private investigator just trying to get by. When Dayo hires him to find out where she goes at night, he’s sure it’s his big break: his chance to establish himself and get the funds to pay off his family’s debt. Plus, he gets to work with his favorite singer, even if she isn’t exactly what he expected. What could be better? 

But first, he has to solve the case — which means navigating a tangled web of strange dreams, fair folk schemes, and show business. It will take all Bastian’s wits, along with the shining talents of Dayo herself, to figure out the truth before the curtains close for good on Dayo’s career. 

A jazz-age-inspired twist on the Twelve Dancing Princesses from the author of Blood in the Snow.

 Purchase Link: Amazon

Add Book on Goodreads

About the Author: 

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. Sarah's first published work, Blood in the Snow, received a perfect score and Special Unicorn status in Rooglewood Press's Five Poisoned Apples contest. When she isn't writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive tobe-read list. 

Find her online at: 

Website || Blog || Second Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Amazon

Enter the Giveaway here

Tour Schedule:
Dreams and Dragons: Pros and Cons of Writing in the Jazz Age

Five Reasons to Read:
Knitted by God's Plan
Light and Shadows

Interviews:
Reality Reflected: Dayo

Guest Posts:
Cobonham: A Day in the Life of Dayo
Rachel Rossano's Words: A Day in the Life of Bastian
Abby's Blog: Like, But Not the Same

Character Spotlights:
Live. Love. Read.: Bastian
A Backwards Story: Jinyi

Reviews:
A Synethete Writer
The World of the Writer
Blooming with Books
Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors

Inside the Sun ~ Review with Giveaway

Join Us for this Book Series Tour from Jul 7 to Aug 10, 2020!

Inside the Sun
The 8th Island Trilogy #3
By Alexis Marie Chute

Ella Wellsley is dying and instead of providing a cure to her cancer, Jarr may take her life even sooner. 

Archie, who accidentally transported a cruise ship to the planet Jarr, has finally realized who he is. His link to the Olearons has been revealed, fulfilling a vision revealed years before by was believed to be the last Steffanus. 

War has come and the Wellsley family is caught in the middle. The Star beneath the ocean is their goal. Ella must reach it before it is too late. There is a sacrifice that she alone can make, one that shows Naiu that there is still love in the created worlds. If she fails all the worlds will die with her.

Ella's family, friends, and allies attempt to keep the Millia at bay long enough for Ella to achieve her goal. The Millia is determined to sink Jarr-Wyn into the ocean and thus achieve their greatest desire to capture and possess the Star. What few realize is the Star's true nature - a nature to which Tessa and Ella, through Tessa, are able to communicate. Through her dreams, Tessa's true self is revealed - an almost unbelievable truth that links her to Jarr. And this link, like Arden and Archie's, is just what is needed as Jarr faces its greatest threat. The Wellesleys are in a battle to determine the fate of all worlds. Their very existence at this point in time may be the only hope that every living being has. Time is of the essence and it is against them

Inside the Sun is the third book in The 8th Island trilogy, a series that promises a conclusion worth waiting for. The storyline is excellent if a bit bloody and violent. Not bedtime reading by any stretch of the imagination unless your dreams are never troubled literary influences (I for one am not so I will admit to staying up late to read this).

If you are a fan of Scifi, fantasy, and parallel worlds, this is a book you don't want to miss. The unimaginable is real, and the impossible is probable, but not everything seen with the eyes is real until it is. 

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

Book Details:

Book Title: Inside the Moon by Alexis Marie Chute
Category:  Young Adult Fiction (13 to 17 yrs), 368 pages
Genre:  fantasy, adventure, coming of age, ya, adult
Publisher:  SparkPress.
Release dates:   April 2020
Tour dates: Jul 7 to Aug 10, 2020
Content Rating: PG: Battle scenes and death depicted.

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Book Description:

All worlds are dying, and it’s up to one broken and dysfunctional family from Earth―the Wellsleys―to save the day.

Cancer-ridden Ella celebrates her fifteenth birthday beneath an enchanted mountain, but it is what lies even farther below―the mysterious Star in the sea―that demands she grow up quickly. While Ella grapples with the sacrifice she must make and the lies she is forced to tell, her mother, Tessa, is hell-bent on protecting her.

Through bizarre encounters, love-sick Tessa realizes that she is not the lonely orphan she believes. Her husband, Arden, and father-in-law, Archie, are not the only ones with magical bloodlines. This revelation changes everything. As Archie chooses to embody his unexpected ancestry, he learns that leading the charge in the ultimate battle against evil won’t be as easy as he thought. He’ll need his family―and the strange allies he has gained―by his side to give Ella enough time to set things right.

Can they defeat the unstoppable Millia sands―and another unexpected foe―before everything they hold dear is destroyed? Or will their adventure tear them apart for good? The finale to The 8th Island Trilogy will hold you spellbound until the final page, and long after.

Buy the Book:Amazon ~ Amazon.ca
BN.com ~ Bookshop ~ Target
Book Depository ~ Google Play
Add to Goodreads

Series Description:

The 8th Island Trilogy includes Above the Star, Below the Moon, and Inside the Sun. Over the three books, we follow the adventures of a quirky family, the Wellsleys. The main characters are frumpy senior citizen Archie, his daughter-in-law, Tessa, and his ill fourteen-year-old granddaughter Ella.

Archie, searching for his missing son, accidentally transports his family—and a cruise ship full of people—to a magical planet. There, they uncover the truth: all worlds are dying. Yet hope is not lost. A way to restore all that will soon be destroyed is revealed, along with the realization that Ella will play a role no one could have imagined—especially not her.

On the mysterious island of Jarr-Wya, many races of creatures battle for dominion, and magic lurks around every corner. When the world falls dark, that is when bravery must shine the brightest, and the Wellsleys will reveal the strength they never knew they possessed—as well as the power of love to save the day. 

"A Wrinkle in Time meets The Princess Bride."

Review by Lee Lee Thompson, The Perpetual You Magazine

"Chute's novel weaves STAR WARS-like characters with a WONDER-like message to form an enrapturing read for booklovers of all ages."
US Review of Books

"Fast and bizarre… Never a dull moment. "
Foreward Reviews

 SERIES DETAILS:
Series Title:  The 8th Island Trilogy by Alexis Marie Chute
Category:  Young Adult Fiction (13 to 17 yrs) (368 to 448 pages)
Genre:  fantasy, adventure, coming of age, ya, adult
Publisher:  SparkPress.
Content Rating: PG: Battle scenes and death depicted.

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 Meet the Author:

Alexis Marie Chute is an award-winning author, artist, photographer, art curator, filmmaker, and public speaker. She has received over 40 noteworthy distinctions for her visual and literary work. Her award-winning fantasy series The 8th Island Trilogy includes, Above the Star, Below the Moon, and Inside the Sun. The series has been described as "A WRINKLE IN TIME meets THE PRINCESS BRIDE" by The Perpetual You magazine, and "Fast and bizarre… never a dull moment" by Forward Reviews. The 8th Island Trilogy "weaves STAR WARS-like characters with a WONDER-like message to form an enrapturing read for booklovers of all ages" – US Review of Books. Chute's bestselling memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy After Loss, was a top Kirkus title of 2017 and received a plethora of other literary distinctions. The memoir was accompanied by the feature documentary of the same name, which has screened internationally for the last three years. Chute received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design from the University of Alberta, Canada, and studied at Media Design School in Auckland, New Zealand. She graduated valedictorian with her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, USA. Chute is a highly regarded public speaker. She has presented on art, writing, bereavement, and the healing capacities of creativity around the world. Contact the Author/Artist for bookings info@alexismariechute.com When not in her art/photo studio or at her computer, Chute loves to spend quality time with her family, read fiction and non-fiction, watch reality TV, paddleboard, and canoe. She is not a winter person but lives in frosty Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with her husband and their three living children.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram ~
                                              Pinterest ~ YouTube ~ LinkedIn

Tour Schedule:

July 7 – Splashes of Joy – series spotlight/guest post/author interview/giveaway
July 7 - Working Mommy Journal – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 7 - fundinmental - series spotlight/giveaway
July 7 - Corinne Rodrigues | Booksnista - series spotlight/giveaway
July 8 -Leels Loves Books – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 8 –Book Bustle – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 8 - Living in a Bookworld – series spotlight/giveaway
July 9 - Confessions of the Perfect Mom – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 9 – I'm Into Books – series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
July 10 - She Just Loves Books – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 13 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 13 - Books and Zebras – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 14 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 14 - Cheryl's Book Nook – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 15 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 15 - Blooming with Books – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 16 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 16 - Books and Zebras – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 17 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 17 - Writer with Wanderlust – series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
July 17 - Rajiv's Reviews - book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 20 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 20 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 20 - Adventurous Bookworm – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
July 21 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 21 - Stephanie Jane – series spotlight/giveaway
July 21 - Leels Loves Books – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 21 - Merlot Et Mots - book review of Below the Moon
July 22 – T's Stuff – series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
July 22 - She Just Loves Books – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 22 - Blooming with Books – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 23 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of Inside the Sun/guest post/giveaway
July 23 – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 24 - Books and Zebras – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 24 - Rajiv's Reviews - book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 27 –  Book Bustle – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 27 - Adventurous Bookworm – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 28 –  Working Mommy Journal – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 28 - Olio by Marilyn – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 28 - Library of Clean Reads – series spotlight/giveaway
July 28 - Merlot Et Mots - book review of Above the Star
July 29 – 411 on Books, Authors, and Publishing News – series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
July 29 - Blooming with Books – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 29 - Rajiv's Reviews - book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 30 - Cheryl's Book Nook – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
July 31 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
July 31 - Pen Possessed - series spotlight/giveaway
Aug 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
Aug 3 - Leels Loves Books – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
Aug 4 –  Confessions of the Perfect Mom – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
Aug 4 - Cheryl's Book Nook – book review of Inside the Sun/guest post/giveaway
Aug 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
Aug 5 - Adventurous Bookworm – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
Aug 6 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
Aug 6 - Olio by Marilyn – series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
Aug 7 - Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Aug 10 - Books for Books – series spotlight
Aug 10 - Merlot Et Mots - book review of Inside the Sun/author interview
Aug 10 –Book Bustle – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway
TBD – Falling Into A Good Book – book review of Above the Star/giveaway
TBD – Falling Into A Good Book – book review of Below the Moon/giveaway
TBD – Falling Into A Good Book – book review of Inside the Sun/giveaway

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