Tag Archives: Fantasy Promo

Fantasy Promo – The Spectra Unearthed (The Spectra: Keita’s Wings Book 1)

August 3, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Howdy folks. I hope you’ve been enjoying the latter half of the Summer while we have it. I feel like this season is perfect for reading—maybe they ingrained it in my mind from back in my school days when they had us reading tons of books over our Summer vacation.

We’re here with our second promo of the week, today, and it’s a charming, well-written tale by an author who is growing into her craft, and developing a world that you can’t help but want to visit.

The Spectra Unearthed is the first book in Christie Valentine Powell’s series, The Spectra: Keita’s Wings, and it’s a doozy of a story. With a plucky lead, locales you’ll love to explore, and of course, beautiful prose, Powell is definitely a storyteller to watch out for. The Spectra Unearthed begins with a nice burst of action, and the pace is steady from there out. The author is also a master of dialog—every time a new character is introduced, you’ll be happy to see a new conversation unfold.

Keita thought that being a princess was nothing but trouble even before the power-hungry Stygians took over the Spectra kingdoms. Now she’s on the run, hunted at every turn, and able to trust only a few other royal exiles. Of course she’d like to make her life safe again, but standing up to the Stygians means confronting Jasper Smelt. A former friend, Jasper insists he wants nothing more to keep her safe, but his pitch-black dungeon and fiery threats suggest otherwise.

With help from her friends, Keita escapes, but there is no safe place for former princesses. Banding together despite their different cultures, the girls head into Jasper’s desert kingdom. They soon find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the Stygians and a small rebel group. Hanging in the balance is a colony of children abandoned for having abilities different than their families. Keita wants to help, and she hates feeling helpless. But how can she face Jasper, someone with abilities she couldn’t begin to fight, someone constantly seeking her out, someone who fears everything…except her?

What’s not to like about The Spectra Unearthed? Powell’s debut story is vast, clever, and most of all, entertaining. You’ll love Keita the second you start following her, and the other characters are real treats as well. Powell has two stories that follow this, and each of them get even better as they go. This is a great place to start though, and you’ll be happy to read about Keita and the royal family, the Nomelands, and the Stygians. Pick up The Spectra Unearthed on Amazon today!

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Fantasy Promo – Dar Tania 2: Set’s Dream

August 1, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Update: Dar Tania 2: Set’s Dream will be free on kindle tomorrow through Sunday!

Hey there folks. This has been a tremendous year for fantasy, and we’re very proud of the other authors we’ve had the opportunity to write alongside. With so many stories in front of us, I’m glad that Tellest has been able to highlight a few of the ones that rise to the top.

One of those stories that we were able to bring to your attention was Eric K. Barnum’s Dar Tania, a tale that had a deeper, more philosophical and religious bent than you’re used to seeing in modern fantasy, but that was explored without being overly preachy and build Morbatten and the Forsaken Isles in an awesome way.

Well, Barnum is back, and he’s ready to rumble. Dar Tania 2: Set’s Dream is a different kind of tale. It takes place five years following the events of Dar Tania, and the high priestess of Tiamat isn’t the central character in this piece. While she still is present—as the title should indicate—the real focus is on the ranger, Bruce, and his peculiar companion, a medusa named Syliri. It’s rare to see such a character get such high billing, and it makes the story that much more interesting to breeze through. There are a few other characters that join the ranks as well, and they’re all as entertaining as the last.

An immortal medusa falls in love with a human ranger on the cusp of Morbatten becoming an actual empire. Part of Dar Tania’s dream is that a mighty empire of human races and their allies shall fill the valleys of Morbatten. Priestesses and the paladins serving them will rise up under war banners and march with the heavy tread of battle for Tiamat’s glory.

For five years, Syliri and Bruce have been exploring the area the dragons consider to be part of Morbatten. More interesting monsters are petrified and brought back for Dar Tania and her fighters to study. During another routine scouting mission, they find a death cult of hill giants and goblins extracting gold from the eastern mountains. The true nature of their enemy rears its demonic head. But, will the true nature of medusa or the true nature of humankind shine brightest in the trials that lie ahead?

Join Syliri and the love of her life, Bruce, as they confront the power of this dark nightmare. With her petrifying gaze and his mastery of the bow and sword, they begin to unravel a creature of such dark purpose that even the god emperor himself gives pause.

Set’s Dream is a worthy successor to Dar Tania. It isn’t quite the same as the book that preceded it, but it also doesn’t try to be. What you’re left with is an entertaining, satisfying story that has more traditional twists and turns. Barnum excels at breathing life into his world, and his characters, given more room to develop, will garner your attention, if not your affection. If Dar Tania was the hook that was trying to get you into the boat, this tale is the boat you want to get into.

Barnum currently has four books out, with more on the way. Be sure to check out Dar Tania, which sets the stage for the world of the Forsaken Isles, and do check out Dar Tania 2: Set’s Dream on Amazon today!

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Fantasy Promo – Sirenhawk Book 1 : Misborn of the Snowy Reaches

July 11, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Hello there all you fans of fantasy. We have been on a roll these past few weeks, bringing you non-stop action across a lot of different sub-genres. July is a huge month for us, and we’re so excited to have some other fantastic authors along for the ride with us.

L.E.Parr is arguably the most prolific author that we ever have on our site, and it seems she’s not content to just raise the bar. As it turns out, she wants to send it into orbit.

While you might be familiar with Parr’s Fariidinus series—we’ve shown it off a lot here on Tellest, and we’re always excited for more—there’s a new urban fantasy in town, and it’s already well underway. The Sirenhawk series does for shapeshifters what Fariidinus did for fairies. The lead character, Ice, takes shelter from the world of man in a hidden place in Sierra Nevada, but she also can’t ignore the pull of the big city. Whereas Parr’s fairy series was brutal beyond the veil of the beautiful creatures, Sirenhawk leans more on whimsy. The author definitely flexes her humor muscles here, to great effect.

Iceria, Ice, is a hawk-human shapeshiifter. It’s Ice’s job to protect the Northern Corridor from the hereditary enemy of the sirenhawks, the deadly she’ravens. Iceria’s sisters consider her a little odd. She is a literal thinker, she loves shiny baubles and jewelry and her favorite book is an old English dictionary. In human form, Ice and all her kind are sirens of myth and legend. As the battle against the deadly she’ravens escalates, Ice discovers two things about herself. The first, she has a warrior’s heart and the second, she’s capable of falling in love in a very human way.

Parr has already established herself with one stellar series. With Sirenhawk, though, the author proves that she can let two storylines breathe and grow independent of each other. Ice is an adorable new lead, and she is the perfect way to be introduced to the sirenhawks. Best of all, Sirenhawk‘s second book will be out in September!

While I eagerly wait for the follow-up, I submit to you this stellar debut in the series. Sirenhawk is fun fantasy at its very best, and you’re sure to love it. Check it out on Amazon to join Ice on her first big adventure!

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Fantasy Promo – Sapphire Ambition

July 3, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Howdy folks! We are on a roll here at Tellest, and it’s great to say that we’ve got old friends who are doing just as well! It’s always nice to revisit someone’s world, and even better when they have a new book out!

We promoted Jeff Kish’s Diamond Bonds a ways back, but he’s back to show off his talents with the sequel, Sapphire Ambition. Everything that made the first book entertaining is cranked up a notch here, and the stakes are ever higher. The world he’s built continues to grow, and new characters are introduced while the established ones get a chance to shine even brighter.

Following the failed barracks raid that cost him his arm, Era once more finds himself running from the military who imprisoned and enslaved the friend he swore to protect. Though intent on saving Di, he knows he can do nothing to save her until he unravels the mystery behind her bondage and the truth of his own identity, especially as his falsified memories and steadily-growing earth shaping capabilities only serve to instill doubt that the creeds Era once held dear are truly part of who he is.

I am so happy to get another book in the Runics Series. I was always a firm believer that Diamond Bonds should have been picked up by Kindle Scout, and it was a crime that it was overlooked. In the meantime though, Kish took everything in stride, and delivered his book to everyone, and put together a substantial sequel. It is everything you like to see in a follow-up, and it’s sure to leave you eager for the third book! Check out Sapphire Ambition on Amazon today!

We have some great news for you to coincide with Sapphire Ambition‘s release. For the next three days, Diamond Bonds is free on Amazon. There’s never a better time to get started with this series than right now!

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Fantasy Promo – Fariidinus Book 5: Wings of the Sea

June 27, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Hey there folks. We’re happy to be back with a new promo for an old friend today. It feels like we’ve been gone from the Heartland for way too long, and I for one have need to see some beautiful, lethal fairies again.

L.E.Parr is back once again to show us the work she excels at. Fariidinus Book 5: Wings of the Sea is another bout of worldbuilding at its finest, and this time she brings us to a whole new realm. The Heartland seas become an intriguing place to visit, thanks to newcomer Melody, who holds sway over that domain. The story fits in with the previous book as well, as some focus is left on Kirin, who became this second set’s big hero. It’s Melody who gets to shine here, though, and you’ll quickly fall in love with her.

MELODY, Dee, was the youngest child to fall under Letal’s knife. It was her culling that finally goaded Kirin into the war. Even though her xylin node was left intact, Dee’s wings never recovered and she cannot fly. But, Dee, has an extraordinary gift, never seen before in the species. She can control the sea and communicate with the little mermaids, the merikin. When one of the Houses conspires to destroy Kirin with poison, they experiment on the merikin with great loss of life. In a desperate attempt to save the merikin and the Heartland seas, Dee races against time and miles to lead her friends to safety.

We’ve had the awesome privilege of working with Parr several times before, and her books are always great fun. The first trilogy was tremendous entertainment, and these newer books are set to keep up to that same pace while also carving out the world she’s built even further. Melody is an awesome character to add to her already impressive roster. If you want to read her story, check out Fariidinus Book 5: Wings of the Sea on Amazon today.

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Fantasy Promo – Reynard the Fox

June 9, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Hey there folks! I am so happy to be back here after a lovely time at the Philadelphia Comic Convention. Not only because it was exhausting, but because I managed to meet several great people, and I’m just so excited to share about them.

First up is David R Witanowski. David is a down to earth guy who was there at the con showing off his series of books revolving around Reynard the Fox. If you’re familiar with the allegorical tales about the anthropomorphic fox, this book becomes all the more delightful. It steps away from the old stories in some ways, but a lot of the meat is still there. Above all, it becomes darker and more complex, which I really enjoy. Still, it retains a fair bit of humor. Witanowski treats his characters with respect that you won’t soon forget.

In a city full of thieves, there are none better than the wily Reynard: a skilled cat burglar, con artist, and master of disguise who preys on the wealthy and powerful. But even a man of Reynard’s talents can make a mistake, especially when there’s a beautiful woman involved…

Now Reynard must embark upon a perilous expedition to steal a fabled gem, accompanied by a motley crew of mercenaries, pirates, and hired killers, each of whom could prove to be deadlier than the voyage itself- and none more so than the mysterious Isengrim, a cold-hearted warrior whose swordsmanship is second to none.

A gritty adventure that playfully blends suspense with humor, Reynard the Fox is the first in a forthcoming series of books by debut author David R. Witanowski.

If you’re a fan of fantasy with grit and grime but a dash of humor, Reynard’s journey’s are right up your alley. This first book is such a fun adventure, and with two more books already released, it could be a great series to dive into. If you’re looking for one of your new favorite reads, look no further than Reynard the Fox. Check it out on Amazon today!

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Fantasy Promo – Dar Tania

May 24, 2017 Michael DeAngelo 2 Comments

Hey folks! We’re winding down what I’m calling the “month of Dar Tania,” but it’s not too late to pick up this awesome book! Eric K. Barnum’s introductory novella into his Forsaken Isles series mixes incredible fantasy with dashes of religion and philosophy. It all combines to make something truly magical and otherworldly.

Dar Tania, provides a solid foundation for Barnum’s other books in his series, but it stands strong even on its lonesome. It does what it sets out to do, introducing you to not only the history of the Forsaken Isles, but also to Barnum’s strong writing and interesting characters—not to mention its divine dragons. Woven together, each of these individual threads becomes something magical.

Thousands of years have passed with the dragon god Alerius watching over his many tribes of barbarians eastward on the Forsaken Isles. Waiting for just one of them to hear his mother’s divine voice, he has guided and driven his people to be worthy of their name – Morbat, children of dragons. Dar Tania, daughter of the Tribe of Horses is the first to face her Coming of Age test, pray to the Mother, and have that prayer answered. She becomes the first priestess of Tiamat and joins herself to Alerius’ dream of building an empire spearheaded by paladins and divine warriors.

I don’t have any shortage of great things to say about Dar Tania. It’s a delightful read, and even though it’s around one hundred pages, the writing is clever and concise enough to give you a tremendous amount of details. For Barnum’s entry into fantasy literature, this sure seems fleshed out and strong.

You’ll definitely enjoy Dar Tania, so why not pick it up on Amazon today? It’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited!

We also had the privilege of interviewing the author. Barnum is definitely an author who you like to get in the mind of. Check out that interview now!

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Fantasy Promo – Dar Tania

May 5, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Update: We have some great news about Dar Tania. Next week, on May 8th through the 15th, Dar Tania will be just 99 cents on Amazon. Don’t forget to pick it up!

* * *

Hello folks. It’s been a couple weeks since our last stop in the Otherworld, but we have a doozy for you today. If you’re a fan of the Tellest books, you’ll likely get a kick out of the works of author Eric K. Barnum. His influences are very similar to mine, and he’s got a very similar flavor. I’d go as far as to say he’s better equipped than I was when I first started out—it won’t hurt my pride to say that I wish I had his talents all those years ago.

Today, we’re focused on Dar Tania, a book by Barnum which provides a stage for the longer books that follow. Dar Tania is a short novel, but it has tremendous value. It introduces you to not only the history of the Forsaken Isles, but also to Barnum’s strong writing, interesting characters and powerful plot elements. More importantly, Barnum does an excellent job of weaving each of those individual threads into something magical.

I don’t have any shortage of great things to say about Dar Tania. It’s a delightful, robust read, and even though it’s around one hundred pages, the writing is clever and concise enough to give you a tremendous amount of details. For Barnum’s entry into fantasy literature, this sure seems fleshed out and strong.

You’ll definitely enjoy Dar Tania, so why not pick it up on Amazon today? It’s free if you have Kindle Unlimited!

book promos, otherworld

Fantasy Promo – Fariidinus Book 4: Glissin

March 31, 2017 Michael DeAngelo Leave a comment

Hello there, fans of fantasy! It has been a wonderful first quarter of the year, and we’re so happy to send you off into warmer months with another great book, courtesy of the prolific L.E.Parr. We’ve spent some time over the last few weeks praising her work on her incredible Fariidinus series. The first trilogy was amazing, and followed Kirin’s battle against the villainous Highmother Letal.

Today, I’m even more excited to show off Parr’s fourth book, Glissin. A glissin is what you get when a farii and a human have a child, and they have some interesting powers that even their full farii parents can’t tap into. This new book explores further beyond what we’ve read about the Heartland and its inhabitants, and it is world-building at its finest.

At it’s heart, Glissin is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of Parr’s amazing Fariidinus world. Its hero sets out to learn about herself and her powers, but Parr’s Heartland adds a level of quality that makes it shine throughout.

ARAMIX is the half human-half fariidinus daughter of Ayleen and Ian. She was born to support the Heartland’s chosen queane, but, as her glissin talents have matured so has her temper and sense of injustice. To protect Kirin, Aramix has been raised at the Lighthouse. When the nixla, who can shield Kirin from Aramix’s ability to tap into a queane’s deadly power, fall ill with a virulent plague, Aramix is able to reach through the mist and ignite the fire inside Kirin. Several Houses seize the opportunity to rise against the weakened queane. Stone orders Aramix back to the Heartland and into the custody of Arkana, the glissin PrimeMother.

After a tremendous first trilogy, Parr keeps churning forward. While book four takes some small steps away from the previous heroes, they still play a part in the overall tapestry of this latest Fariidinus book. Glissin gives its new protagonist a chance to shine on her own, and in doing so, broadens the scope of this incredible fantasy world. If that sounds awesome to you, why not check out Glissin on Amazon today?

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