Proxima’s Gift by Marc Peter Keane caught my eye when I saw the cool cover and read the blurb. I love apocalyptic/dystopain novels and it even felt like there was a bit of the paranormal when I read about merging.
The solar event that wiped out most of the population and the Gift that was bestowed upon Proxima’s Children was intriguing and I was curious enough to settle in and read the entire book.
It’s a large book, at 587 pages, but that doesn’t intimidate me. I love when I can get the full story in one fell swoop. It kept me interested, but didn’t have me rapidly flipping pages. I didn’t feel that sense of urgency that makes a book exceptional, to me.
Just because a book doesn’t quite work for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
If you had the chance to merge empathetically with any living being — with all living beings at once — to experience the world from those other perspectives and thereby gain immense wisdom and power, would you do it?
What if it meant being banished by your community who would rightly fear you for that untold power? Would you do it then? In Proxima’s Gift, that is the choice facing Azami, a young woman struggling to find the limits of what is possible for her.
Three hundred years after an apocalyptic solar event, the story follows the Children of Proxima who live in a remote mountainous region of Japan. The same event that killed most of the global population, caused a new organ to grow within the bodies of Proxima’s Children, an organ that has given them a sixth sense: The sense of empathy. They call that sense the “glow,” and have found that it gives them the ability to be completely and intricately connected with each other and with the natural world they live in. The novel takes place over the course of a year, centering on a young woman named Azami who is unable to control her empathetic connections. In order not to be driven insane by this unfiltered onslaught of all the ‘living voices’ around her, she is trying to fully and completely dissolve herself into the natural world and, by doing so, become one of the all-seeing oracles who have overseen and protected the Children of Proxima for hundreds of years. If she cannot, she will be driven mad in the attempt and perish.
Genre: Science Fiction
587 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2025
ABOUT MARC PETER KEANE
Born and raised near New York City, I graduated from Cornell University’s department of landscape architecture before moving to Kyoto in the mid 1980s, which was then home for 18 years. At first I was a research fellow at Kyoto University, later worked as a landscape architect and writer, opening my own design office in downtown Kyoto (the first person in Japan to receive a working visa as a landscape architect).
My design work consists mostly of gardens — private residences, company grounds, and temple gardens — although I have also designed a park in Tokushima and historic district in Nagano. My designs reflect my background, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophies.
As a writer my work is mostly non-fiction about Japanese gardens and literary fiction on subjects related to gardens, nature and the human condition.
My artwork is all related in one way or another to gardens and nature. Ceramics, bontei tray gardens, and large-scale installations are some of the ways that has been expressed.
I am also a researcher and educator. I taught in the Department of Environmental Design at the Kyoto University of Arts and Design, as well as Cornell University, and am presently a fellow at the Research Center for Japanese Garden Art, Kyoto. I have lectured extensively throughout the United States, England, and Japan.
Hi Donna, It is wonderful having you on fundinmental today.
How Real-Life Inspiration Influenced Writing a Book
I never knew my Great Uncle Elmer, but he lived on in stories my mom told me—and the dozen or more large-framed photos he took that I inherited. He was an avid photographer and organic gardener back in the mid-20th century before organic was mainstream. His articles and photos were even in Organic Gardening magazine.
And in 1968 when he was in his 60s, Uncle Elmer solo thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from April to October—hiking 2,200+ miles from Georgia to Maine. He even got invited to visit the White House by President Johnson for his adventures but refused to leave the trail to attend. His wife would drop food packages at designated spots along the way, but he mostly ate seeds and berries.
Uncle Elmer at the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, April, 1968
After his 6-month trek in the wild, Uncle Elmer stopped at my parents’ house in New York on his way home and when my mom asked what he wanted to eat he heartily replied, “Fried chicken!” Then he slept on the floor in the guest room as he was so used to sleeping on the ground.
Uncle Elmer alone in the wide-open spaces of New Hampshire
On his thru-hike, an October snowstorm prevented Uncle Elmer from climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine and reaching the end of the trail at this mighty peak. But he returned the next year to Maine and completed the final five miles of the trail up the mountain.
Uncle Elmer carefully crossing a Vermont pond
A hiking lover myself, Uncle Elmer was my inspiration behind featuring adventures on the Appalachian Trail and Mount Katahdin in Loon Cove Summer, my next middle-grade novel being released on May 6th. His real-life scenarios played a role with a death-defying adventure in Loon Cove Summer. I wish I could be brave enough to solo through-hike like him.
Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful guest post, Donna.
Donna Galanti is a talented author that can write fabulous stories that appeal to all ages. Her latest, Loon Cove Summer comes out at the perfect time of year. She draws from real life stories and experiences to make Sarah Richardson’s story feel authentic.
Thirteen year old Sarah Richardson has not been on the lake since her mother’s death. She is determined to turn her life around. She will return to the lake and save the loons. She loves volunteering at the wild bird rehabilitation center.
Sarah becomes friends with Theor and his mother, Maggie, when she comes to study the loons. When Maggie becomes too close to Sarah’s father, her emotion run amok. Then, she finds that the campground she has loved may have to be sold.
She wanted her father to be happy, but she felt Maggie was a threat. Would she lose her father to her? Or would her life become fuller with the addition of Maggie in their lives?
As Sarah struggles to face the challenges in front of her, she will be forced to grow and accept the things she cannot control. She will come to terms with her grief.
I like that Sarah uses her mother’s diary for inspiration.
I love stories that weave fact and fiction together as seamlessly as Donna Galanti has and I love how she uses her own love of the environment to supply us with food for thought. Loon Cove Summer is an adventure that had my emotions mixing with Sarah’s as she grows and develops into a fully fleshed out character.
4 Stars
SYNOPSIS
Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson is determined that her life will finally get unstuck this summer. She just knows it. Her to-do list? Brave the lake again. Save the loons. Stop missing Mom. Her one bright spot: volunteering at the local wild bird rehabilitation center. The summer looks even brighter when Sarah meets Theo, the boy staying at her family’s Maine lakeside campground who cares about protecting the loons just like she does. But when Sarah’s family may have to move, she adds a new to-do item: save their home. And when she suspects Dad is dating Theo’s aunt, the naturalist helping research environmental dangers to the loons, Sarah is caught in a new world of grief. With the looming reality of losing her dad, her home, and the loons, Sarah must make a big statement to take control of her life. Capturing inspiration from her late mother’s Appalachian Trail hiking journal, she boldly plans a solo wild adventure. But as her challenges mount, she wonders if her courage will earn her the voice she seeks—or if she’s made a reckless choice that just might claim her life.
Praise for Loon Cove Summer: “A warm-hearted novel that balances profound loss with humor and hope.” – Kate Allen, author of The Line Tender
“As sparkling, refreshing, and mysterious as a Maine lake in summertime.” – Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska
“An original and fun read from start to finish … unreservedly recommended.” – Midwest Book Review
“A page-turning read set in the wilds of Maine.” – Paul Greci, author of Surviving Bear Island
“The cast of unforgettable characters and tender relationships stays with you.” – Jessica Rinker, author of The Dare Sisters
LOON COVE SUMMER EXCERPT
Theo slowed the canoe as the sun burned the fog away. We glided into Lambert Cove, a favorite place for kids to hang out. A forgotten dock jutted out around the turn. Some pine trees dotted the island. The old Lambert house stood there, its weathered boards fading more each year. The front shell was all that remained after a fire. I’d reminded Theo of the fire again, but too late now.
We eased the canoe onto the sandy beach. The wind picked up and water lapped up against the canoe. We sat in the warm sun for a long moment.
Theo rubbed his nose. “Wanna talk?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then let’s explore.” He grabbed his bag and stepped out, pulling me with him.
We pulled the canoe up farther onto the sand. Just offshore sat two massive boulder, the Gunks, names for the twin, giant flat-topped rocks that kids spent time together on. Set ten feet or so off the beach in the water, they were each wide enough to hold several people. A cool spot to hang out from spring to fall, with great views of the lake. Remnants of campfires were strewn across the small beach, blackened logs sunk in ash. Theo clicked photo after photo of the Lambert house, taking off through the overgrown trail leading up to it. Charred timbers stood among the trees. They didn’t seem to bother him.
“What is this place?” he said.
“Jeremy Lambert built it for his wife over one hundred years ago.”
His camera clicked faster. Something new to photograph that was disappearing.
“What happened to it?” He stood back for a wider shot.
“I heard they had kids who didn’t like the lake. So, when his wife died, Jeremy left it to nobody.”
Theo lowered his camera. “This Lambert guy didn’t want anyone to have it who didn’t love it like he did.”
“I guess so.”
He ran a hand over the sagging porch railing, peering through the front door, still guarding the blackened remains.
I looked up at the now cloudless blue sky, the sun bright in my eyes. “It burned down one night when a bunch of kids lit a fire in the old fireplace. It went up like a torch, some town people said. You could see it all the way to our beach. It happened before we moved here.” I kicked an old crunched-up beer can. “Can you imagine seeing that?” The moment it came out, I wanted to suck the words back in.
Theo lowered his camera. “I can. Wood burns fast.”
“Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay.” He slid his camera away and headed back for the tiny beach, setting his bag down and tossing off his shirt in one swift movement. Scars crisscrossed up and down his back, pain and healing painted on him. I stood, clasped in the shadows of an ancient pine, moved by his sharing this and all the words we left unspoken. His loss. Mine.
He strode in, shivering as waves rippling around him. He pushed through the water and hauled himself up on the iron stairs built into the Gunks. Sitting on top, he leaned back on his elbows and peered up at the sun, water drops glimmering along his curls and shoulders.
I inched toward the beach, staying in the shadows as he shimmered on the rock. A sailboat skimmed waves in the far distance. An osprey soared overhead, searching the deep blue for his next meal. Waves rolled into shore from a speedboat that passed a moment ago. I breathed in the fresh scent of Nikuwoss Lake as I’d done a thousand times.
I’d breathed it in with tears flying, overlooking Loon Cove.
I’d breathed it in with six breaths a minute then four then two, then none.
I’d breathed it in with laughter before death came to our house.
“Come on in, Wes,” Theo called, peering over at me.
I went for it and plunged in, fully clothed.
ABOUT DONNA GALANTI
Donna Galanti is the author of two middle-grade book series, Unicorn Island and Joshua and the Lightning Road, and the paranormal suspense Element Trilogy for adults. She has lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. When Donna’s not wandering the woods seeking magic and wonder, you can usually find her biking or kayaking. For more information on her books, school visits, and events, visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com.
I was eager to get my hands on the second book in The Bloodstone Legacy, Atonement, by V E Huntley. I love vampires and walking on the dark side. There is plenty of violence and brutality, but also some hot and steamy romance.
Atonement takes place in a dystopian future where the vampires rule and humans are slaves. There are lots of triggers, so if you are squeamish, Atonement may not be for you.
I love characters that are put to the test. Characters that have to fight for what they want, and Aden and Ellie fit the bill. They not only have to fight others, but they also have to face their own personal demons. There will be a price to pay, but there are some light hearted moments where we can enjoy a laugh that will help us make it through the dark times.
I am loving The Bloodstone Legacy series by V E Huntley. It has everything I desire in a vampire novel, blood and guts along with some love and steamy romance. Atonement moved at a fast pace, keeping me lost in the story, eager to know how it would end, but not wanting to get there too soon. No worries there. We have a cliffhanger.
I hope you are writing fast V.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
MY PENANCE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH
The second installment of the The BloodStone Legacy—a dark, seductive paranormal romance about destiny and the prices we pay for love powerful enough to transcend both death and time.
Three centuries of guilt. Two souls reunited. One chance to defy fate.
After spending three hundred years drowning in guilt for murdering his wife on their wedding night, Aden has found the impossible—her soul, reborn in Ellie—a woman who awakens both his deepest love and darkest fears. Their reunion is everything he’s dreamed of, a chance to atone for their tragic past. But some happy endings come with a price.
As Aden and Ellie lose themselves in their newfound passion, they awaken more than just forgotten memories. Ellie’s own demons push her to confront the tragedy that tore them apart, while sinister forces gather in the shadows, determined to destroy their hard-won happiness.
Aden will burn the vampire world to the ground to keep Ellie safe. But with every ancient law he breaks and every powerful enemy he makes, the price of protecting her rises.
Aden thought nothing could be worse than killing the woman he loved. He’s about to learn how wrong he was.
Set in a dystopian future where vampires rule and humans are slaves, against a backdrop of danger and political intrigue, Aden and Ellie’s love will either transform their blood-soaked world—or burn it to ash.
Perfect for fans of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City, Scarlett St. Clair’s Adrian X Isolde, Karina Halle’s The Dracula Duet, and readers who crave their romance dark, passionate, and unforgettable with brooding anti-heroes paired with resilient heroines.
Atonement is Book 2 of a trilogy. It ends on a cliffhanger but Book 3 will have the HEA you’re waiting for.
This book is a dark paranormal romance. Be mindful of the trigger warnings:
Graphic violence
Sexual situations
Non-consent (not between MMC and FMC)
Blood Play
Knife Play
Rape
Adult language – the word “fuck” is used a lot
Scenes and references of physical and/or sexual abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering.
Genre: fantasy, fiction
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2025
Series: The Bloodstone Legacy: Atonement, #2
ABOUT V E HUNTLEY
V.E. Huntley is a retired producer who has spent her life telling stories in one way or another. Just ask her cats. They had to endure a lifetime of her endlessly reciting entire dialogue scenes to them, even though all they desperately wanted to do was nap.
Her childhood fear of Dracula was so intense that she couldn’t sleep without the lights on and her mother guarding her bedroom door. Over time, this fear evolved into a lifelong obsession with the dark and twisted world of vampires and the concept of immortality. So, after more than two decades in the film and television industry, she ultimately chose to pursue her true passion—writing dark and sexy paranormal romance.
Besides writing, her hobbies include reading, watching movies, traveling, and keeping her husband busy with an endless honey-do list.
I had a feeling about the Untish Series and as soon as I read the first book, Fangs Of Fate, I fell in love with the characters, both good and bad. Daughter Of Destiny picks up where Fangs Of Fate left off, so the series does need to be read in order.
“Sounds like I may be a badass.”
The story is told from multiple points of view. Tate is definitely a badass and she grows to know it, as do others. She is part vampire, part dragon and part fae. With a combination like that, I foresee great things in her future. I love that she has a handicap and she does not let it hold her back.
I am not surprised that there is a prophecy. A lost heir will be found and she will restore balance. Of course, I know who that lost heir is, but that does not take away from the steps we have to take to discover it.
The characters gain more depth and come into their own as the story progresses. We have some great villains…and I do love my villains. There is one in particular that I have my eye on. I wonder if he can, or will, redeem himself. He sure does go through hell.
The romance is a bit steamy. but it does not take away from the story.
The battle is good against evil. It gets very dark, and I do love walking on the dark side. The battles are vicious and many will fall. The world Rebecca Parcha has created is rich in detail. There is another cliffhanger, but I am hooked, so I will be eagerly waiting for the next book.
There is so much I want to tell you, but I won’t. You will need to find out for yourself. If you love fantasy, dragons, vampires and fae, this is a must read.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
“Fourth wing but with vampires!”
“It’s a unique fantasy world, that has vampire and dragons as I’ve never seen in any other fantasy series. The FMC and MMC are just… chef’s kiss! I need more Tate and Aether like I need air!”
“Absolutely phenomenal! The ending was so shocking and beautifully done. Can not wait for the next one to find out what happens! Definitely a must read!” — Tate Aaralyn is more than just a vampire, she is a Untish dragon shifter. Aether Brychan isn’t just a charming embodiment of violence, he’s intricately connected to her. Together, they must untangle the web of lies and half-truths, and learn to trust one another while being hunted by their very own.
Love has never tasted so good or cost so much.
Chance Dale is awakening—leadership is corrupt, evil stalks on taloned limbs, and his very cells are altering with newfound power. As he wrestles with the lure of magic, he must also uphold his vow to protect his country and the values he holds true to himself. Morality has never been so damned murky, and only he can determine which way his inner compass points.
A storm is coming, and only one will remain.
Until blood burns…
ABOUT REBECCA PARCHA
I love all things fiction, specifically, fantasy. Add a little romance, or sometimes a whole heap, and you’ll find my specialty: romantasy. As an avid reader and devourer of all things Fae, dragon, and magical, my work (as you may have guessed) is centered in that world. I love a strong female protagonist who defies the patriarchy while learning to love and trust.
I am one of the lucky ones; I married my high school sweetheart and am a mother of two adorable, rambunctious boys. As a Colorado native, I love the sunshine and crisp air while enjoying the outdoors with my guys…have I mentioned I’m outnumbered?
Stories have always held me captive—they are the air I breathe. It is my purest pleasure to share with you the tales that have been burning in my heart. To see a full list of my works, please visit my website at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51397939.Rebecca_Parcha
The Other Sister by Jessica R Patch is a psychological thriller that had my head spinning, trying to keep up with all the mystery involved. Jessica had so many surprises, I was kept in the dark until the very end. I love the cover, but even that has a mystery connected to it.
Charlotte Kane wanted to live a different life. When she discovers she has an identical twin, she gets her chance. But, everyone has secrets and she walks a minefield, not knowing who she can believe. The deeper she gets involved in her sister’s life, the more dangerous it is.
As far as characters go, it’s hard to root for any of them, but they are fascinating.
If you think you can solve this puzzle, you might be in for a rude awakening. Every time I thought I had something figured out, Jessica would twist the plot in a new direction. The pacing kept the suspense level rising and me flipping pages.
This is my first Jessica R Patch novel, but now I have her on my radar.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.
Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.
Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…
No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.
Expected publication April 1, 2025 by Love Inspired Trade
ABOUT JESSICA R PATCH
Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense, a cold case thriller, or a small-town romance. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
Murder In The Appalachians by Susan Furlong may be a quick read, but it is jam packed with danger and mystery.
Emma Hayes is a journalist and is dead set on finding out how her twin brother died. She doesn’t believe it was an accident, and the more she investigates, the more danger she faces. Someone doesn’t want the past to come to light.
Logan Greer is an emergency room doctor who’s sister had disappeared. No one knows what had become of her. He saves Emma’s life, and it doesn’t take long for them to fall in love. They work together to solve the mysteries of the past.
There is a Christian element and both characters will be tested. It’s not in your face preachy, but a part of the characters lives that they fall back on when they need help the most.
My thanks go out to Susan Furlong for the opportunity to read and review Murder In The Appalachians.
4 Stars
Synopsis:
On the run in the mountains…
with a killer on their trail.
After unearthing secrets from her late brother’s police notebook, journalist Emma Hayes discovers his death was no accident—he was murdered. Only someone doesn’t want Emma to find out the connection to the cold case her brother was investigating…and they’ll kill to keep it that way. Now Emma must rely on local ER doctor Logan Greer to help her stay alive and follow a trail of elusive evidence. But as they unravel a conspiracy, they realize that the killer could be anyone hiding in the mountains…
Book Details:
Genre: Love Inspired Suspense – Romantic Suspense Published by: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense Publication Date: April 1, 2025 Number of Pages: 206 ISBN: 9781335980533 (ISBN10: 1335980539) Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Harlequin
Author Bio:
Susan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is the third book in the Empyrean series. I have enjoyed each and every one…so far. The characters have grown on me and I get lost in their fantasy world. Sure, the books are BIG and there is a lot of detail, but I never gave up. Yes, there is some repetition, lots of characcters, and some slow spots, but I found it easy to let the author take me where she wished me to go. I’m in it for the long haul.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty.
Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.
They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth.
But a storm is coming…and not everyone can survive its wrath.
First published January 21, 2025 by Entangled: Red Tower Books
Series: The Empyrean #3
ABOUT REBECCA YARROS
Screenshot
Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and coffee addict. She is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished. She’s also the recipient of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence for Eyes Turned Skyward. Rebecca loves military heroes and has been blissfully married to hers for over twenty years. A mother of six, she is currently surviving the teenage years with all four of her hockey-playing sons.
Want to know about Rebecca’s next release? Check her out online at www.rebeccayarros.com.
Whew, I’m Fifty Shades Darker for sure. E L James has written a fabulous series that kept me reading cover to cover throughout the entire series. I laughed, I got teary eyed, I was furious, I was scared, and I was very satisfied when it was all over. LOL
When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.
Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.
Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.
This book is intended for mature audiences.
Genre: Adult Fiction, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, New Adult, Romance
I saw the colorful cover and the title for Fangs Of Fate by Rebecca Parcha and knew I had to have it. I want to thank Rebecca for the opportunity to read this novel filled with magic and fantasy, and dragons, vampires and fae.
We start with action and it never lets up.
Tate Aaralyn is both prey and predator—a duality that defines her.
I love Tate. You may wonder how she can be prey and predator both, but all I’m going to tell is she has her own set of rules and she does color outside the lines. I love characters that walk the fine line of right and wrong, consequences be damned. I guess you could call this a coming of age for twenty year old Tate. She is put to the test and she does rise to the occasion.
Fangs Of Fate by Rebecca Parcha is told from two points of view…Tate’s and Chance’s. Tate and Chance used to have a romantic relationship, but he had crossed a line that Tate cannot forgive. Will they be able to overcome their past? We won’t find out in Fangs Of Fate and the book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I felt, if the book was going to be divided, it was the perfect place to stop. The second book, Daughter Of Destiny is due to be published in May of 2025, so it’s not a long wait.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Tate Aaralyn is both prey and predator—a duality that defines her. Beyond the veil that separates worlds, lies the the home of vampires. There, she is prey—fragile, weak, her flaws laid bare. She is a vampire who struggles with the ethics of feeding. And yet, in the human realm she is the executioner of justice.
But when Tate is sent to a disciplinary hearing that results in forced enlistment to the gaura, her worst nightmare is made real. In desperation to make a lasting difference, Tate faces her biggest challenge yet—Aether, a vampire unlike any other.
As lines blur, she must navigate the labyrinth of lies and embrace her newfound power, all while questioning her mysterious bond to the male who has managed to capture her heart and, somehow, earn her trust.
Chance Dale may be the president’s son, but even with his birthright he is, by all accounts, a disappointment. After witnessing evil evolving and the violation of life as he knows it, Chance must find a way to defeat the dark magic before it spreads. The world of politics becomes nuanced, and he is forced to question the very statutes that have guided his life or watch everything he’s worked for burn.
Chance’s quest to secure the Glenn from foreign powers has his path crossing with Tate’s—his former lover and deepest regret. As the truth unravels, he must choose between the love he once had or the one he could have. Worse yet, that very love could soon become the enemy he hunts.
I love all things fiction, specifically, fantasy. Add a little romance, or sometimes a whole heap, and you’ll find my specialty: romantasy. As an avid reader and devourer of all things Fae, dragon, and magical, my work (as you may have guessed) is centered in that world. I love a strong female protagonist who defies the patriarchy while learning to love and trust.
I am one of the lucky ones; I married my high school sweetheart and am a mother of two adorable, rambunctious boys. As a Colorado native, I love the sunshine and crisp air while enjoying the outdoors with my guys…have I mentioned I’m outnumbered?
Stories have always held me captive—they are the air I breathe. It is my purest pleasure to share with you the tales that have been burning in my heart. To see a full list of my works, please visit my website at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51397939.Rebecca_Parcha
The Price Of Freedom is the final book in The Price Of Trilogy by Michael C Bland and it satisfied all my reading needs. It was a brutal war…and they lost…but did they? Sure, they have Dray and his family locked up and they are killing off all the rebels, but, even though they are down, they are not out. Mina and Talia will never give up. I love these characters.
I love all the science fiction elements, nanobots, robots, hovercrafts and so much more. I love all the characters that put their lives on the line. They suffer horrendous injuries that are often cured with nanobots. I found that fascinating, but they can’t bring back the dead. Michael C Bland does not hesitate to kill off his characters. We know they can’t all survive, but I mourned with the characters at their loss.
If you are as enthralled as I am at thought provoking science fiction, The Price Of Trilogy may be for you. It is a fast paced read that kept me flipping pages, having to know what comes next. Who will live? Who will die? I feel confident that the rebels will be victorious, I’m just not sure who will be left standing or how it will come about.
5 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
It’s 2047. The rebellion has been crushed. The Agency is reestablishing control.
Rebel leader Dray Quintero languishes in his cell, struggling against his captors’ manipulations. His daughter Raven’s cries torment him at night. He has doomed them both.
When given an unexpected chance to escape prison, they break out–but they’re not safe. No one is. The Agency is still in power. And they’re tightening their grip. As dangers mount, Dray is haunted by an impossible flee and survive, or gamble his last chance for freedom by taking a stand against impossible odds.
He tried running. He tried fighting. This time, he must try something radically different. Something no one will see coming.
The Price of Freedom is the adrenaline-fueled final installment in The Price Of trilogy from multiple-award–winning author Michael C Bland.
Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 8, 2025 by World Castle Publishing, LLC
ABOUT MICHAEL C BLAND
Michael C Bland is a founding member and the secretary of BookPod, an invitation-only, online group of professional writers. He pens the monthly BookPod newsletter where he celebrates the success of their members, which include award-winning writers, film makers, journalists, and bestselling authors.
His novel, The Price of Safety, was chosen as a Finalist of the 2020 Indie Book Awards for both Science Fiction and Thriller, and is the first in a planned trilogy.
Michael currently lives in Denver with his wife Janelle and their dog Nobu.
