The Loura Lure by James McMahon appealed to me because of the elements included in the blurb. Dr Shamus Bergin gets work as a Staff Psychologist in the Secure Treatment Unit of a mental hospital. He is drawn to an amnesiac patient that others have written off. Dr Shamus Bergin had his doubts about whether he should even be there.
As he investigates the patient’s background, he finds he is blocked at every turn. The patient tells him that he has time traveled from a forgotten Age of Loura looking for members of The Sacred Order Of Keepers to help him locate the last living angel. Once I read about the last living angel, I knew I had to find out more.
Shamus decides he will take a leap of faith and do what he can to help the patient, Erladok.
The Loura Lure by James McMahon starts out a bit slow and fills the pages with many details, laying a foundation for future books. The more I learned about Erladok, the more curious I became. I can hardly wait to see what is to come in the next book.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Dr. Shamus Bergin lands a coveted position of Staff Psychologist in the Secure Treatment Unit of a mental hospital right out of school. He is soon vexed by an amnesiac patient who defies clinical diagnosis and whom every other doctor has written off. Inconsistencies about the man’s origins intersect with Shamus’s own doubts that the patient even belongs in an institution.
As his own investigation continues to be met with redacted files and evasion from governmental agencies, the doctor-patient relationship suddenly undergoes a radical shift. The patient discloses that he has time travelled from a forgotten Age of Loura to seek help from modern day members of The Sacred Order of Keepers to find the last living angel. Only the angel can turn the tide in the ultimate struggle between good and evil in this deliberately erased timeline 20,000 years in the past. With his parents tragically lost in a boating accident a decade earlier, Shamus must turn to his one true friend, Dr. John Browse, to make sense of the voices within which are calling him to action.
With career and grip on sanity at stake, Shamus must decide whether he has succumbed to the delusions of a sick mind or whether he should take a leap of faith and help the man achieve his mission.
Published February 2, 2024 by Austin Macauley Publishers LLC
ABOUT JAMES MCMAHON
James is a lawyer, inventor, musician and life-long student of the Martial Arts. He and his family travel extensively and share a love for all things ancient. This first book in the series is inspired by an enduring curiosity about the lives lived, and the struggles overcome by ancient societies whose legacies continue to defy modern understanding.ames is a lawyer, inventor, musician and lifelong student of the martial arts.
Walk amidst the dolmens and stone circles of old and hear the whispers of those who lived there. Magic was everywhere!
After finding a beautiful mermaid welcome sign, a young girl encounters a hidden and wondrous magical realm filled with magical characters, unlikely new friends and embarks on a dangerous quest to save the world from evil and restore the balance between the real world and the magical realm…
MY REVIEW
I am a sucker for any books Mer. I think the cover for The Welcome Sign was spot on. It’s easy to see that it’s target audience is teen and young adult, but it can easily appeal to others, like those of us are young at heart. Who doesn’t love a fantasy that allows us to forget the real world and let our imagination run free for a while?
Molly is an inquisitive, adventurous ten year old girl. It was just her and her mother, since her dad died in a car accident. They lived in Poplar Bluff, Missouri among the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, but every summer they would go to Cape Cod. Molly loved walking on the beach with her mom and grandma, collecting rocks and shells. This time, a sadness hung over their trip. Her grandma had disappeared and no one knew what happened to her. How can that be in the small town of Barnstable?
Molly was fascinated about the legend. An alliance was created between the human world and the water world. There was a magical portal that only a true believer could cross. A pearl was the key to opening the doorway. I wonder who will find this pearl. 🙂
Their neighbor came knocking on the door and told them about the sign. They must hang it on the door as soon as possible, but they didn’t know where it was. Leave it to a curious young girl to make it her mission to find the sign. And, when do, she does, a fantastical, magical world opens to them. But, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. With the good comes the bad. Valis Tar is determined to rip down the veil and declare war on the humans.
“Where do you think glitter comes from? Magic is 80% glitter, you know. We removed the other 20% of magic and introduced common glitter to humans long ago.” “I understand its great in crafts.”
I didn’t realize The Welcome Sign was going to be a series until I saw there wasn’t time to wrap up the story. Now, I have to wait for the next book. I just hope I remember to keep a lookout, because I want to be on the next adventure with Molly and her friends and family. Anyway, I loved my time spent at the Cape, a familiar locale to me. I loved learning aboutl the merpeople and all the other magical creatures.
Thanks to Pump Up Your Book, BookBaby and Barbara Jean Weber for the opportunity to read The Welcome Sign.
4 Stars
ABOUT THE BOOK
When 10-year-old Molly Parnell’s grandmother mysteriously disappears she and her mother travel to Cape Cod to take ownership of the house they inherited and find out answers about the sudden disappearance. But what they discover could be more dangerous and life changing than they ever imaged. Molly and her mother find a beautiful mermaid welcome sign in the attic and place it on the front door. Unusual things start to happen and they are flooded with visitors who claim they knew the grandmother. The true powers behind the mysterious sign are revealed as Molly learns her grandmother was part of a secret organization working to keep balance between the magical realm and the real world. The magical realms placed an invisible veil of secrecy over the world to hide their true identities from the human world but allowing them to live among them in secret. An angry rebel group of magical beings, tired of living in hiding is tearing down and destroying the magical cloaking fabric between the two worlds. If they are not stopped the magical realm will no longer be safe from the world. As Molly and her mom embark on a dangerous and magical adventure throughout the magical realms to help stop the rebels, she learns of her own magical powers and her strong family heritage connected to the welcome sign. Along the way, she teams up with new magical friends helping to keep the realm of magic safe from the eyes of the world and discovers that her grandmother was right all along. The world she thought she knew no longer exists, but an amazing world of magic woven into their world has always been hiding in plain sight.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Sub-genre: Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism Fiction
CRYSTAL PERKINS SLIPPED INTO HER OFFICE AND LOOKED carefully down the hallway. It was shortly after 8:00 p.m., and the office was dark and deserted. The only staff remaining was the cleaning crew. She threw one last look around the hallway and nervously shut the door quickly behind her. She glanced out the window, closed the blinds, and turned on the small desk lamp.
Crystal slumped down in her chair and unfolded the newspaper on her desk. She ran her hand anxiously through her short, curly black hair. She couldn’t believe all of this was happening so quickly. Things were totally out of control, and she didn’t know how they were going to fix them. Sighing deeply, she glanced at the article in bold print and reached for the phone. She continued to stare at the front page of the newspaper as she frantically dialed the numbers on the phone. In bold print on the first page of the newspaper were these words: “More Unusual Sightings of Strange Creatures: An Elaborate Hoax or Fact?”
“Warren, it’s Crystal. Have you seen the newspaper today? There have been more sightings!” Her voice was shaky and worried. “It’s getting too overwhelming!” She ran a hand across her forehead.
“Crystal! Calm down. I have my people looking into this right now on my end,” a deep voice replied. “Have you questioned the witnesses yet? Are their stories credible? Are you—” he asked with a concerned tone but stopped suddenly.
“Yes, of course I have investigated all of the local reports and followed up on all the new leads regarding the sightings! Besides, Warren, that is my job. Isn’t that why you put me in the position of investigative reporter in the first place? Plus, Warren, like you. I know the real story. She paused with a deep sigh. “But Warren, there are too many! I can’t keep up. Warren, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“Crystal, do you hear that humming sound in the handset? I’m not sure this is a secure line! Quick, call me on the other line!” There was a click and the line instantly went dead. Crystal dug deep in her purse and pulled out a small pearl-colored compact. The circular device shimmered as she turned it in her hands. She quickly scanned the room to make sure she was alone. Flipping open the compact, Crystal dropped in five small glowing bead-like objects from a long, clear vial she had also removed from her purse. She breathed over them, and instantly they broke apart into smaller pieces. She pushed a button on the side of the compact, and the glowing objects began to melt and formed a glowing, watery substance. Crystal dipped her finger in, swirling it slowly in a clockwise direction. Slowly the glowing substance rose out of the compact in a funnel shape and expanded out to form a lighted, liquid screen about ten inches in length. Through a shimmery haze Warren’s face appeared in the watery screen. He spoke in a low voice.
“Is it safe to talk here?” he asked quietly. Crystal nodded. “Yeah, it’s late. There shouldn’t be anyone else here. Everyone has gone home. I think the only people that are here now are the cleaning crew.”
“We must be absolutely sure! There is too much at stake here. I think your office phone may be bugged. We can’t speak on the regular line anymore, understand?” Warren warned. “As my number one investigative reporter, YOU are in charge of making the witness’s stories sound ridiculous, and it’s your job to discredit the reports inthe papers. Under no circumstances can we let the real story get out. EVER! It’s important that we keep the truth hidden. I’ve got others strategically placed in these roles around the world doing the very same jobs. Don’t make me think I picked the wrong person for this job, Crystal!”
Crystal nodded. “You did pick the right person for the job. You know Warren, it’s getting harder to cover this up.” Crystal ran a hand slowly across her forehead and through her hair. “Wait, Warren,” she stammered. Hearing a noise in the hall, Crystal stood up and approached the door. “Warren, hold on. I heard something.” She listened quietly, cracked open the door, and peered into the darkened hallway. The light from her office made dark shadows dance along the walls as she opened the door. Silently and unseen, a tall, slender figure slid the toe of his shoe into the dark shadows, pulled his body tighter against the wall, and held his breath. Crystal glanced around, and when she was convinced no one was there, she closed the door quietly. “I’m losing my mind, Warren. I’m sure I just heard footsteps in the hallway.”
“Calm down! Don’t be so jumpy, Crystal. You’ve got to hold it together! It was probably just the cleaners. Now is not the time to lose it. You’ve got to keep your head clear,” Warren stated authoritatively.
“Warren, there’s something else. I think I’m being followed. I swear I keep seeing the same car—”
Warren cut her off with, “Don’t panic. I’ll get someone over there for your protection and to keep an eye on you. They should be there in the morning. Just stay focused and on task. We can’t let this get out of control, understand? We won’t let anything happen to you!”
“Our paper wants to run a similar article as what the witnesses are saying,” she whispered. “And Warren, I’m looking at a press release that they want sent out as soon as possible. The witnesses sound very credible this time . . . I’m having a hard time covering this up. Warren, what do we do? There are too many sightings. More and more are coming in every week, and I’m running out of creative ways to cover them up! We need to get this stopped RIGHT NOW! I need some serious help from your end!” Crystal stammered nervously.
“I know! I know,” Warren nodded. “We’re doing all we can over here. We’re trying to find out who’s responsible so we can stop them. You just keep doing the best you can. We’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Whatever you do . . . Keep the secret hidden. It’s imperative that we continue to keep this under control. We’ve been able to keep this hidden for a long time, and I’m not about to let the secret loose now. We must keep covering this up! And we need to do it quickly! We’ll talk in a few days. Warren out!”
The liquid screen started swirling slowly, gradually picking up speed and ultimately dissolving back into a sparkling funnel shape and descending into the compact. All that was left in the compact were several glowing bead-like objects. Crystal held the compact out and blew at the objects. The bead-like objects instantly disintegrated into a fine powder and were swept away without a trace. Crystal snapped the compact shut, shoving it back in her purse. This wasn’t going to be easy. Warren had given her the tough job of keeping their identify safe. Although there had been sporadic incidents here and there, their secret had been kept safe for nearly three centuries.
Why was it getting harder now while she was the investigative reporter? Things were skyrocketing out of control at a rate faster than she could handle.
Crystal had known Warren Tracer ever since she was a little girl. He was a dear family friend. They had all been true believers, and when Crystal was old enough to know the secret, she was brought into the circle of trust. As she grew older, she had seen more of Warren and learned about his unbelievable secret. Warren Tracer hadn’t always been Warren Tracer. His original name was Whalen Marks, and although he was not a magical being, he possessed great magical powers.
In his younger years, he and her father had been with the Special Forces for the military. During a particularly secretive mission, a trap had been set, and the mission had gone terribly wrong. Everyone had been reported dead. However, the real events of the mission had never been revealed.
All Crystal knew was that Warren, her father, and several of the men had made an amazing discovery on that day. The mission had indeed gone horribly wrong, but several of the Special Forces men had been rescued. Crystal suspected that Warren and his men had made contact with beings of the magical realm. Warren rarely spoke of the events of that day, but she knew better than anyone that Warren was a true believer. Something remarkable had happened to him and his men, but no one knew exactly what that was. Just that it was remarkable and life changing.
Warren had eventually changed his identity, becoming Warren Tracer, and begun working undercover for the magical realm. When her father died several years later, Warren had stepped in as a replacement. He had been family from the beginning, so to accept him as a father figure wasn’t difficult.
Eventually, Crystal had been approached to work for Warren in helping keep their secret safe. There was nothing more in the world that Crystal wanted than to help out her new friends. She’d jumped at the chance to work undercover at the newspaper and keep Warren up to speed on all the local sightings. It was a dream come true. Warren and the others didn’t disappoint her, and she loved her job. She had been working with the newspaper for over eleven years now, but of late, she was finding it harder and harder to hide the truth.
Crystal hoped Warren would find those that were responsible for the tears in the fabric and stop them. They would need a lot of help if they were going to keep the secret safe this time. As she sighed heavily and slumped back in her chair, she caught a quick glimpse of movement to her side. Startled, Crystal looked up suddenly. There had been more noises that she was sure weren’t made by the cleaning crew. In a flash Crystal stood up, knocking her chair to the floor. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, two tall, shadowy figures flung open the door, bolted from her office, and were joined by a third in the hallway. They had heard everything. In the wrong hands, the information that she’d conveyed to Warren could prove very dangerous. As she grabbed for the compact in a frantic panic, the three figures dashed from the building at an astonishingly fast speed and vanished without a trace silently into the night.
– Excerpted from The Welcome Sign by Barbara Jean Weber, BookBaby, 2025. Reprinted with permission.
About the Author
Barbara Jean Weber lives in Skagit County with her husband and two daughters, where she works as a speech and language therapist. Her novel, The Welcome Sign,
was inspired when she was gifted a mermaid welcome sign. The more she
studied the sign, the more her story evolved. She is currently an active
member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
I love books about magic, gods and goddesses, Lucifer and demons, dragons, elves, dwarves and monsters of all kinds, and Honor The Believer has all those things and more. In millennia past, Merlin had created Phoenix Island to hide twenty three demigod children from Zeus’s genocidal purge. They will be training for the time that they will be called forth to take their revenge.
One demigod was kept apart from the others, and was sent to the monster city of Grimm where he would attend school. Jeremiah is part Celestial god and part Celestial devil. He was adopted by a dragon. Will he be the death of them all…or their savior? Can he learn to control his magic?
Dark magic and political alliances cause tensions to rise and war is on the horizon. As the character’s tensions rise, so do my own. How long before those that are hidden are discovered?
I love the diversity of the characters and watching the children grow and develop, preparing themselves to fight the good fight. Good versus evil. Dark versus light. The battles are brutal, the descriptions bringing to life the action. I feel the punches delivered and worry for those who have become my favorites. I may like the dark and dangerous, but I do root for the good guys.
I want to thank Michel P Frame and Austin Macauley Publishers for the opportunity to share Honor The Believer with you.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
In humanity’s distant future, magic has returned—violently. After vanishing for millennia, it surged back alongside the Celestials, an alien race once mistaken for gods… or devils. Now, war consumes the solar high-tech armies clash with resurrected monsters, while ancient species like elves, dwarves, and giants ally with humans to hold the line against Lucifer’s dark forces. Above the chaos floats Phoenix Island, a hidden sanctuary created by the legendary wizard Merlin before his death—a place where magic never stopped thriving and where the pursuit of its advancement continues to evolve in isolation, protected by the dying dream of its creator. Jeremiah Drarocca is one of twenty-three demigod children rescued by Phoenix Island during the Celestial Zeus’s genocidal purge against their kind. While the others now live scattered across the island, training for the day they can return to the battlefield and take revenge, Jeremiah is the only one sent to the monster city of Grimm—a place of unpredictable dark magic and uneasy political alliances—to attend school. Jeremiah isn’t like the other demigods—he isn’t like anyone. Within him flows an impossible fusion of both Celestial god and Celestial devil. It’s a contradiction that should not exist, and it’s the reason he was sent to Grimm, the city of monsters, to learn control over the darkness. Adopted by a dragon, Jeremiah struggles with his identity, his staggering power, and the uncertainty of youth. As tensions rise and war looms ever closer, the path his power will carve remains unknown—but it may shape the fate of the entire war. Join Jeremiah as he steps into a school unlike any other—where monsters roam the halls, secrets whisper through enchanted corridors, and one uncertain demigod may hold the key to magic’s future. His journey to understand himself is just beginning.
Genre: Angels and Demons, Fantasy, Fiction, Gods and Goddesses, Magic, Teen and Young Adult
985 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2025 by Austin Macauley Publishers
The first sentence of the book wrapped it’s hooks around me and it didn’t take long for me to be hanging on every word.
I love books where the characters are forced to face life altering decisions, so Songbird Of The Sorrows by Braidee Otto was a wonderful choice. This romantic fantasy will challenge Princess Aella. She is torn from the palace, the only world she has ever known, and sent to the Aviary to be trained as an assassin. She is not only a princess in hiding, only a few people knowing who she really is, but she is to be trained to be a scout, a spy, an assassin, a thief, a songbird.
The rules: Don’t ask questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. Most of all, love no one.
“…I know the rules.” I’m just not very good at following them…
Nyssa cracks me up. She’s Aella’s friend and knows her true identity. She will stick by her side, no matter what the outcome will cost her.
Forbidden love. Does that peak your interest? It did mine. I love to see how the characters figure out what is most important in their life and then find a course of action that will allow them to get it. I love to watch characters grow and develop as fully fledged characters.
Aella is tasked with competing in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eritrea…as herself.
I love when an author creates a world I want to get lost in. Where the characters have me holding my breath in anticipation, waiting to find out what happens next. The adventure is filled with danger and betrayal. Will there be war?
OMG…talk about a cliffhanger. I can hardly wait for the next book, Myths of the Empyrieos.
I am so glad I saw this on NetGalley and grabbed a copy for myself.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
An outcast princess turned spy embarks on a mission to infiltrate a rival kingdom, but the secrets she uncovers force her to decide whether to follow orders or defy them.
Ask no questions. Obey your orders. Respect your masters. But most of all, love no one.
Spy. Thief. Princess. Songbird.
Princess Aella was ousted from the Palace of Sorrows as a child, shattering her world and forcing her to abandon the truth of her royal lineage. Instead, she was raised in The Aviary, which disguises itself as a school for orphaned children but is actually a secret order designed to train its students as spies for an intelligence network embedded throughout the Empyrieos.
Now twenty-three years old and having completed her final tests, Aella is summoned to join Alpha Flight, the Aviary’s elite team of assassins that’s led by none other than her former flame, Raven. Everything about him calls to her—he’s brave, loyal, and lethal. But is Raven worth breaking the rules and risking everything she’s worked so hard to achieve?
Before she can decide, the Alpha Flight team is sent on a dangerous mission that tests Aella’s resolve in every way. Her role is crucial and she must assume her former title of Princess of the Sorrows, the identity she once had to forsake, to compete in the bridal trials held by the Prince of Eretria. As old sparks reignite and the harsh realities of the realm reveal themselves, the mission begins to unravel, and Aella must decide if she is brave enough to disobey her superiors in order to do what she believes is right.
Songbird of the Sorrows is the first book in Myths of the Empyrieos, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows a feisty heroine through trials, a perilous heist, court intrigue, kingdom politics, and a journey of self-discovery, true love, and redemption.
A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Braidee Otto combines her academic background in Literary Studies with a deep passion for storytelling to create heartfelt, immersive narratives. Songbird of the Sorrows is the first installment in her debut adult romantic fantasy series, Myths of the Empyrieos. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her partner, two beloved dogs, and a cat that appeared in her backyard on the winter solstice.
Book Title: ISLANDS IN THE MIST (Book 1) by J.M. Hofer
Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 394 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Indie Release date: July 10, 2014 Content Rating: PG-13 +M: 1) contains mild profanity, 2) contains occasional non-explicit sex scenes, but Book 4 has a rape scene, hence the rating, 3) contains battle violence but it’s not gory or explicit
Book Description:
Set in Iron Age Britain and steeped in Welsh legend, the Islands in the Mist series brings to life the magic and mystery of the Arthurian Age.
In Islands in the Mist, we meet the great warrior, Bran, called home from the battlefield to his mother’s deathbed. He honors her final wish by vowing to solve the mystery of what fatally attacked her in the night. Though many have dismissed it as a wolf attack, she insists it was not, and encourages him to seek the counsel of Talhaiarn, druid advisor to their clan.
On his journey, Bran encounters the fiery Lucia, widow to a Roman centurion, and her strangely-gifted stable boy, Gwion–an enigmatic child graced with understanding beyond his years. Lucia possesses “the Sight,” an ability that has plagued her from the time she was a small girl, tormenting her with disturbing visions of events that invariably come to pass. Fate leads her to discover many of her maternal ancestors were masterful women gifted with similar psychic abilities and that some of them have been watching her from the shadows for years.
Upon returning to his village, Bran finds himself at odds with the hot-tempered Aelhaearn, who is determined to become their clan’s next chieftain. To Aelhaearn’s disappointment, Bran’s sister, now priestess in her mother’s place, convinces the clan to choose Bran for the honor instead. In the aftermath of their conflict, Bran discovers something shocking about his rival that causes him to rue his sister’s decision.
As everyone strives to unravel the mystery surrounding their nocturnal enemies, their creator patiently carries out her plan, woven from the exploited weaknesses of her opponents. Slowly, all but one are pulled into the seductive maelstrom of her power.
Brigit Quinn has always felt like an outsider. Growing up in a small town where her mom’s pagan practices are the stuff of local gossip, she’s spent her whole life trying to be normal. On her 15th birthday, Brigit makes the same wish she always has—to just fit in. But the universe has other plans.
Instead, Brigit discovers she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe—guardians of Ireland’s mystical stone circles. A spellbound book reveals her astonishing family history and the incredible abilities of her ancestors—powers she’ll inherit if she chooses to embrace them.
When an ancient evil resurfaces, threatening her family’s legacy, Brigit is forced to quickly make this impossible decision. Will she accept her magical heritage and fight to protect it? Or reject it to live the “normal” life she’s always wanted?
This thrilling mix of magic, self-discovery, and Irish mythology will captivate fans of coming-of-age stories with a mystical twist. Lovers of ancient legends, enchanted stone circles, and family secrets will be drawn to Brigit’s journey into a world where her true power could be her greatest strength… or her downfall.
Return to the Celtic magic that began with the suspenseful, award-winning novel Circle of Nine – Beltany.
Descended from a legendary Celtic tribe that guards the secrets of the ancient stone circles, the Quinn women have a great responsibility to protect their pagan rituals and way of life. As members of the formidable Circle of Nine, they celebrate the holidays of the year from Yule to Samhain, keeping the traditions of the Tuatha de Danann alive through the centuries against insurmountable odds. We first met these women in Circle of Nine – Beltany, and now a set of three novellas reveals more of their engaging stories.
In Bressa’s Banishment the power struggle between Father Banan and village healer Bressa Gormley unfolds amidst accusations of treachery, heresy, and murder. Can the Circle protect their trusted healer and the path of the Tuatha against a growing religious fervor?
Dervla’s Destiny brings us to medieval Ireland where the beloved character Dervla Quinn learns of her gifts and fights tremendous loss, betrayal, and violence, all the while never giving up on finding the love she deserves.
In Phoebe’s Mission, when an evil force on a quest for ultimate power threatens the Circle of Nine, Phoebe Quinn must leave Ireland for the first time and travel to the United States to protect their way of life. Along the way, she meets the handsome Macklin Scott, taking her mission, and possibly her future, on a far different course than expected.
Brigit Quinn thought uncovering her magical heritage was the biggest shock of her life. But a year after learning she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe sworn to guard the mystical power of Ireland’s ancient places, the real battle is just beginning. As she trains for her place in the Circle of Nine, Brigit is determined to protect the secrets and sacred traditions of her people.
But when a cryptic warning arrives—hinting at a shadowy force hunting the Sacred Treasures—everything she’s fought for is suddenly at risk. If the ancient weapons fall into the wrong hands, The Circle could be shattered forever.
Haunted by doubts about her powers, the true intentions of those around her, and disturbing revelations about her family’s past, Brigit must navigate a dangerous path of betrayal, magic, and myth. The enemy is closer than anyone suspects—and time is running out. Can Brigit uncover the truth before darkness claims the Circle?
“The first time I summoned a portal, I didn’t understand how I accidentally opened a doorway to another realm. The second time wasn’t a mistake. I was ready—and I stepped through with the grim resolve that my mission must succeed.” —Brigit Quinn
The danger was supposed to be over.
The sacred treasures are safe.
The enemies banished to the Otherworld.
But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story.
The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed.
When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering.
To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything.
In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.
“This was a truly beautiful read. Valerie Biel has a captivating, almost lyrical quality to her work that helps the flow and the smoothness of the piece wonderfully. You can just feel the words slide along as you read and it’s a remarkable experience. I enjoyed her storytelling as much as I enjoyed the characters and the plot! Circle of Nine: Beltany is a wonderful blend of present and past, mixed with a healthy dose of Celtic mythology to captivate the brainiacs among us.” ~ FIVE STARS from Readers’ Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: BELTANY
“Each story is intriguing and suspenseful. I enjoyed learning about three generations of strong, independent women, who were tasked with protecting their ancient heritage, and about the men who loved and supported them.” ~ Jerena Tobiasen, award-winning author for CIRCLE OF NINE: NOVELLA COLLECTION
“Great writing, enthralling plot, fast-paced, and utterly seductive. . . . This is an extraordinary story with a fantastic setting and characters that remind readers of the sacred in them. I enjoyed the way the author explored the struggle between good and evil in this work and how the conflict reaches every aspect of the story.” ~ FIVE STARS from Readers’ Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES
“Mercy in the Mist delivers spellbinding suspense. Positively enchanting!” ~ Tracey S. Phillips, award-winning author of Forewarned for CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST
Series Details:
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Published by: Lost Lake Press
Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.
Book Title: The Quest For Freedom byMatthew Devitt Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 432 pages Genre: Epic Fantasy Publisher: Matthew Devitt Release date: July, 2025 Content Rating: R:lots of swearing, and explicit violence
Book Description:
Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.
The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change. Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind…and conquer the planet.
I enjoy writing and bringing worlds to life. After years of practicing my craft, I have finally applied all my skills to create Conquest. A story that is nonstop action and was inspired by my favorite fantasy stories.
I find no greater joy than making stories that people enjoy reading.
I have been reading Tim Vee’s novels for some time now. His novels are fresh and original. I never know what to expect and have always been surprised. Age Of Magic is a dark fantasy that travels through time. I quickly became enamored with Zola and Selene and their story.
The action and adventure kept me engrossed in Tim Vee’s magical story. The writing kept the pacing and suspense operating at a high level. He brought the characters to life and their world was created in vivid detail. I loved all the secrets, magic, pirates and deadly beasts. He created many questions, as we traveled through time to reach the end. I had a feeling about the conclusion and I loved it.
My thanks go out to Tim Vee for the opportunity to read another one of his fantastic stories.
4 Stars
BLURB
A young peasant woman’s mundane existence is upended by a mysterious traveller, thrusting her into a perilous world of secret family ties, dark magic, deadly beasts, intrigue, pirates, and thrilling adventure—where light and dark forces clash in a battle for power and revenge.
Age of Magic is a dark fantasy story with a timeless fairytale vibe, set in a grounded but magical world.
EXCERPT
There was movement in the shadows—the sound of a sandal on the dry red bricks. Zola froze, seeing ahead of him a weasely-looking man holding a butcher’s blade stepping into a pool of light. Selene gasped, covering her mouth. Zola’s head snapped to his right, where he saw another man step into a pool of light behind them, holding a rusty meat cleaver.
“Becalm yourself, m’lady,” whispered Zola, releasing her hand and stepping from the shadows into the light.
“Mayhaps I can help you lads with something?” he said confidently, as he turned in a circle and regarded them.
Two more men stepped from the shadows, a new one on either side carrying a wooden club.
“Coin!” hissed the man holding the knife that he jabbed forward menacingly.
“Coin and girl!” said the man with the cleaver. The others laughed darkly and inched forward.
Zola turned to the man with the cleaver. “Mayhaps I would have tossed you a pouch of coppers and silver, to send you scurrying away to your filthy taverns and your filthy wenches, without the need for blood to be spilt.” He pulled back his coat, exposing the bejewelled hilt of his cutlass. “But alas, for you, the girl will be staying with me!”
“Four us, one you!” said the man with the cleaver, chuckling.
“I’ll gladly take those odds…” said Zola grimly, his gold tooth glinting in the moonlight as he drew his bejewelled cutlass.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Tim works in digital marketing in Toronto and is well-traveled, having visited over 80 countries. When he is not working or writing, he likes to spend time with his family and German Shepherd and go cycling.
Website: https://timvee.com/
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/tim-vee/id1502949338?see-all=books
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/info/name/Tim_Vee?id=11kqs8s3cc
Powerful bloodlines tied by Fate, who can’t be free even in death…
Title: One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches
Author: Kayleigh Kavanagh
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 400
Genre: Historical/Paranormal/Fantasy
Format: Kindle
MY REVIEW
Labeling One Foot In The Ether by Kayleigh Kavanagh as a historical paranormal fantasy hits the nail on the head. It is definitely heavy on the historical. Shows the woman’s place in the 1800s, but these characters are headstrong, knowing how to accomplish their goals with finesse and cunning.
There are a lot of details about midwifery and the care of pregnant women during the 1800s.
A small group of women and men will be called upon to save those in Pendle from an angry god. A sacrifice will be made.
From reading the blurb, I expected something else. I was a little disappointed, because I wanted to love One Foot In The Ether. It was worth the read, but I was missing a lot of the action I expected. The characters were interesting and I did have my favorites. I love that there was an Epilogue. It wrapped up the story and left me feeling good about the book.
3 Stars
ABOUT THE BOOK
Demdike and Chattox, famed witches of
Pendle Forest, might be dead, but they’re not gone. Bound to their
bloodline, they’ve spent the past two and a half centuries watching over
their descendants, waiting for when they’ll be needed.
When 14 year old Yana comes into her
psychic abilities and inherits the ‘eyes of the Chattox family’, she can
see the long-dead witches, as well as an encroaching evil. But even
with this foreknowledge, she’s trapped by marriage interviews and being
unable to see her own future, and more importantly, whoever her future
husband will be.
Demdike’s healing gifts are alive and
working in Claire, a mid-30s midwife well renowned for her skills and
holding her tongue. The Secrets of Pendle are safe with her and her
midwives. However, when surgeons looking to make standardisation the
norm encroach on her territory, she soon realises how, even a respected
woman is vulnerable in a patriarchal system.
The two descendants must come together
to protect the ones they love from an ancient evil, all whilst
balancing their lives and the cruelties of being a woman in a man’s
world. Set in late 1800s NW England, this book has all the elements of
the area: strong, hardy people, atmospheric horror and days as
unpredictable as the weather.
One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches is available at Amazon.
Book Excerpt
She hadn’t known what to expect from death. No one did. Still, none of
her previous thoughts could have come close. This, and she was
definitely having an atypical experience. For most souls, death was a
release from the mortal coil. Complete separation from the life they’d
once lived. She hadn’t been so lucky.
Some parts of the system had been the same. Her soul had been scooped up. Taken somewhere. She vaguely recalled going over her life and having events explained. Gaining an understanding of the why; to the point she was no longer angry about things which had once made her furious. However, the entire encounter was now a blur.
The powers that be had done this on purpose, but the awareness lingered instinctively. Either way, she knew she’d died, gone to the other place, and then thrown back. Before they could send her along to wherever she should have gone next. There’d been an issue. A snag. One which stopped her from moving along to the happy, bliss-filled world of the nether realm. Said snag bore one name: Chattox. Even in death, her frenemy was still causing her bloody issues.
“Hey, Demdike, how’s non-life treating you?”
Demdike didn’t answer, suddenly filled with the desire to bludgeon the other woman. However, she knew from experience it would be pointless. They weren’t physical beings any longer—even if they were still tied to the physical world. Unless she was willing to destroy the other’s soul, the spirit could reform. A tempting idea some days; this non-life was enough to make even the most patient saint a little homicidal. However, even in her worse moments, she wasn’t willing to land the final blow.
“The same way it’s been treating me for the past two and a half hundred years,” she eventually returned. Still not looking at the other, less she finally indulged her violent impulses.
“They’re having a bake sale soon, at the local church. Gods, I miss cake.”
Demdike sighed. The sad part was she couldn’t even get rid of the other. Without Chattox, she would be entirely alone in this exhausting existence.
“Their cake isn’t anything like the one we used to have. They have more access to sugar, for starters.”
Demdike wasn’t even going to comment on the reasons why. King James I’s and his ilk had done more than destroy her life. Stretching his greedy grip across the world. From the supposed lands of gold to the continent of darkness, James I’s influence had impacted many. She couldn’t help but feel for the poor souls stolen from these other countries. Their plights differed from the witch trials, but suffering was a universal language.
She would’ve liked to aid them, but she couldn’t even help herself. There was no one to hear her, anyway. Well, other than Chattox, but as she was in the exact same situation. It was no different than voicing her words to the void. Except the void didn’t reply.
“Aye, I know, but it doesn’t mean I don’t miss the little pleasures. Few and far between, though they were.”
Demdike hummed. This was a conversation they’d had many times. When their new existence was mostly just the two of them, they often spoke of their past. Their past life, to be specific. A lot of it seemed funny now. Maybe it was their time in the decompression zone post life—or maybe it was simply the effect of being so removed from what they’d once been—but matters of life and death were suddenly much less dramatic and far funnier when you were already dead. Fighting over coin, linens, and food were memories they could now look back on and find humour in.
Though she also missed cake, death was a lot simpler. Mostly. There was no fighting for survival when you simply just were. No hunger to push you forward or pain to keep you still. As much as she’d once lived with one foot in the ether, having both on death’s side was much simpler. If you ignored the limited company. Or how she feared her own mind and sense of self were slowly eroding over time. As though, without a physical body, she was slowly dispersing into nothingness; it was just taking a little longer.
– Excerpted from One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches by Kayleigh Kavanagh, Kayleigh Kavanagh, 2025. Reprinted with permission.
About the Author
Kayleigh Kavanagh
is a disabled writer from the North-West of England. Growing up in the
area, she learnt a lot about the Pendle Witches and launched her debut
novel around their life story. Her main writing genres are fantasy and
romance, but she loves stories in all formats and genres. Kayleigh hopes
to one day be able to share the many ideas dancing around in her head
with the world.
Descendants of the Big House C. Vonzale Lewis (A Horde of Dead Poets) Publication date: October 14th 2025 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery
Beatrice Monroe is still getting used to the knowledge that she was born a champion for Good and Evil. She spends her days combing through her great grandmother’s journals trying to find answers to what this newfound ability means for her as a member of law enforcement.
When a woman walks into her precinct claiming her aunt was murdered, Beatrice discovers a link between their families that may just have the answers she needs. But those answers are not easy to find. Because this mystery’s roots are buried in the past with five young girls and what they gave birth to…in The Big House.
Descendants of the Big House is a standalone installment in A Horde of Dead Poets collection featuring seven authors and their stories inspired by famous literary poems. If you often find yourself steering toward a dark, mysterious, isolated location; if family curses haunt you and unreliable narrators keep you in suspense, you won’t want to miss a single volume in this gripping collection.
Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson.
“I think somebody did something,” Mr. Taylor announced suddenly, voice raised. “My wife, my children. Not right. Not right at all.” He started crying. “I can’t convince anybody to listen to me.”
I got up and kneeled by his chair. “I’m listening, Mr. Elijah.” It didn’t dawn on me that I might have overstepped. The pain in his plea just pulled at me. I understood the feeling of being lost so well, growing up in a home filled with abuse and no one listening to my own cries for help.
He looked down at me. “I appreciate that. You find ’em. You find the one that took my Mary. She was the only woman I ever loved. And our children. Godsend. No matter what that man told her at the crossroads.”
“What man?” I asked, my blood running cold. Of course, I knew what man he was referring to, but I didn’t dare say it out loud.
He flapped his hand in the air again.
I looked at Gautier and dipped my head toward my bag. I didn’t want to upset him further, but I needed to confirm what I already suspected. Mary had met Papa Sin at the crossroads.
Gautier pulled out the book Odette gave us, still in an evidence bag, and came over and gave it to me. I pulled it out and Mr. Taylor gasped.
“Get that evil book out of my house!” He tried to get to his feet and ended up falling back in the chair. I straightened and, after thrusting the book at Gautier, helped Mr. Elijah right himself.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Cherie asked, rushing over. “What evil?” She looked at the book. “I don’t understand what’s going on, but it’s upsetting my daddy.”
“I’m sorry about that, ma’am. But your sister Natalie sent this book to Odette along with a letter claiming she was going to…” I looked down at Mr. Taylor. His eyes were wild.
“She swore she’d gotten rid of that book. She swore.” He let out a sob. “That man told her she’d birth evil. That twins were broken.” He caved in on himself, chest heaving as he cried.
“I better take him to his room,” Cherie said, her face filled with concern.
Gautier got up and helped her take him in the back. I stood there berating myself for upsetting him. I shouldn’t have asked about the book. But I had to get answers, right?
Author Bio:
Carla Vonzale Lewis likes her martini’s shaken…never stirred. Though she was born in Georgia, please don’t mistake her for a Georgia peach. She’s more like a prickly pear. Speaking of being born, someone asked her recently if she remembered her birth, and all she had to say was, “Yes, I do remember that handsy doctor pulling me out into the cold. Right Bastard!!!”
Despite being born in the South, she grew up in the North. California to be exact. And every once in a great while, she gets to experience all four seasons. But mostly, it’s just heat.
Her debut novel, LINEAGE, was released July 16, 2019 and she fully intends to ride that joy for the rest of her life.
When she’s not concocting her next contemporary fantasy story, she enjoys reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, and trying to convince her husband that getting a dog is a wonderful idea.
