Weekend Reads: Gretchen and the Bear by Carrie Anne Noble (Lauricia)

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but let's face it: we all do.

Or at least, we are drawn to books because of their covers. This was especially the case for me with my recommendation for this weekend's read: Gretchen and the Bear.

Those of you who have been following the blog for a while know I don't often read fairy tale retellings; not because I don't like them but because my go-to flavor of the genre is epic fantasy. However, Carrie Anne Noble and I are members of the Realm Makers tribe of authors, and I had seen the book's cover often enough in group circles to recognize it on sight. It called to me each time I encountered it until, in a bit of an emotional funk and wanting to escape into a fantasy reminiscent of those I read when I was younger, I decided the pastel colors and girl-riding-a-bear silhouette looked as though it would satisfy my longing for a bit of nostalgia.

I was enchanted almost instantly because the setting of the story does something I've heard of but have yet to experience: it blends science-fiction and fantasy.

What?

Gretchen and the Bear is set in a future where humanity has destroyed the planet and must live on an orbiting space station. After the last human leaves, the fey who remain on Earth regenerate it. Once it is again inhabitable, the planet is divided into human-inhabited North America and fairy-dominated Britannia. But the fey openly despise humanity, and no one who travels to Britannia ever returns.

Unfortunately for sixteen-year-old Gretchen, her step-sister Ruby has run away to Britannia to meet her fairy boyfriend. Gretchen's step-mother has sent her after Ruby with an ultimatum: if she doesn't bring Ruby home, her father will die.

Forced to search a magic forest filled with hostile fey for a sister who doesn't want to be found, Gretchen is lost and desperately in need of help when she happens upon the cottage home of a family of bear shape-shifters and gets mistaken as the heroic Silverhair of Bearfolk legend. The mix-up completely blindsides Gretchen's search, forcing her in a new direction that turns all of her goals and plans upside down. And just when you think the story is over, it moves in a direction that's unpredictable yet true, which made the book very satisfying.

Gretchen and the Bear is exactly the type of story I was looking for. The blend of science-fiction and fantasy is masterful and the fairy tale elements are true to the genre without being cliché. This is one story you don't want to overlook.

Weekend Reads: Jane Eyre (Lauricia)

 Happy April, everyone! Can you believe we’re already one-fourth of the way through the year? Where I live spring is running a little bit late, as we’re experiencing unseasonably cold weather, but everything is blooming anyway, as if to defy the temperatures. This weekend even promises rain, which means perfect reading weather!

For those of you who don’t know, I teach high school English for ninth through twelfth grades at a small private school. All of my classes read at least four novels per year in addition to their regular coursework, and I like to re-read the books I teach about once every five or so years. Currently I’m re-reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and I’m having a grand time, which is why I’m recommending it for this week’s Weekend Reads.

Jane Eyre is perfect for fantasy lovers because it was written during two literary periods that appeal to our enjoyment of the supernatural: the Romantic period and the Gothic period. Without using my teacher-voice, literature written during the Romantic period is characterized in one aspect by spiritual and supernatural elements. Gothic literature is an exploration of the dark side of man, so it is filled with elements such as ghosts, lunatics, crumbled castles and mansions, and the like. Both of these periods make Jane Eyre the perfect classic for lovers of fantasy.

The novel tells the story of Jane Eyre as she grows from youth into adulthood. It is divided into five parts, and this go-around I’m noticing each part seems to have hints of a specific fairy tale. The parts are referred to by the locations where Jane lives: Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Moor House, and Fernden. I’m only in the middle of the book, but my students and I agree that the Gateshead section contains definite Cinderella vibes and the Lowood section smacks of Little Red Riding Hood. Our first impression of Thornfield was echoes of Beauty and the Beast, but Charlotte Bronte actually refers to the Legend of Bluebeard in this one, so we had to concede the point; especially when we met the character named Bertha Mason. I’m excited to see which fairy tales (if any) can be found in the last two sections. I’m guessing Snow White for Moor House, but I can’t remember much about Fernden yet, and I refuse to “cheat” by looking it up until after I’ve finished the book.

Other elements of this story include ghosts, a lunatic who lives in an attic, lots of references to fairies and elves, and a classic romance that helped establish the archetype of the moody but desirable male lead. If you’re looking to read outside the strictly fantasy genre, but you don’t want to deviate too far, Jane Eyre is the book you need to read next.

Are there any pieces of classic literature that you're fond of? I'd love to hear about them, or about your impressions of Jane Eyre if you've read it, in the comments.

Weekend Reads: The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab (Lauricia)

Greetings, all!

As I’m writing to you this month, Texas is emerging like a burrowing mammal from our great Icepocolypse. The sun is finally shining in a clear sky, and the temperature is finally scheduled to rise above freezing. Those of you in the north may scoff, but we southerners are simply not prepared for this type of weather. As a meme I saw phrased it, “I love that no one in Texas owns actual snow clothes. It’ll snow and you’ll see everyone outside in mismatched pajamas and a hoodie.” Not to mention four layers of socks on our hands for gloves. It just doesn’t make sense to own clothing for weather that usually occurs only once in a decade or so!

But enough of the weather. We’re here to talk about books you need to read. For this weekend, I recommend The Near Witch by V. E. Schwab.

In the village of Near, the winds on the moors sing a haunting song. It’s best not to listen too closely, though, because bad things happen to those who do. Like the boy Jack, whose mysterious death led to the mob hunt and murder of the Near witch two generations ago.

Lexi knows the story, but still the wind calls, its haunting tune trying to tell her something if only she would listen just a little closer. She can’t let the wind distract her, though, because the children of Near are disappearing, whisked away from their beds during the night. Lexi has to find out why, or her little sister could be next.

The Near Witch is one of those stories that contains everything I love about the fantasy genre: mystery, magic, a touch of romance, and an able heroine I can relate to. It’s a “quiet and strange” story, in the author’s words. Quiet and strange in the style of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones and Neverwhere and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Quiet and strange in the way that I am most drawn to in a story.

I don’t remember how I found this book, but I am supremely glad that I did, and that I bought the hardback version because it’s going to have a long life on my shelf of treasures. I hope you adore it just as much.

Until next time, happy reading!

Writer's Life: Why Should I Leave A Review? (Vanessa)

     Hello all! I hope the weather is deliciously cool and wonderful where you are! I’ve already decorated my entire house for fall and have my “fall-scented” candles burning. I love the coziness of fall, especially because I can light a candle, grab a blanket, and snuggle up with a book. But, once I finish the book I immediately (or as immediate as I can!) write a review while the story and my thoughts about it are fresh in my mind.

Before I dove into the writing world of querying, authors, and reviews, I NEVER reviewed a book. I have always been an avid reader, but when I was younger there were never any places to “review” a book other than word of mouth. It wasn’t until I attended my first writing conference that I heard about the importance of book reviews and recommendations.

“Why write a review?” You may ask and I’m glad you did because I’m here to give you a few reasons why!

1)      You thoroughly enjoyed the book

When I fall in love with a new story, I can’t wait to tell someone about it. By leaving a review for the book, I not only find others who feel the same way, but it’s a way I can tell the author “I love your work!”

2)      You want to warn others about the content of the book

Like I mentioned earlier, I never left book reviews until a few years ago. Now that I know about them, I read through a few before picking out a new book to read. Many readers leave details about explicit content in books and what to be wary of. Just make sure to look out for spoilers!

3)      You want to support the author

Reviews are extremely important to an author’s advertising and sales. If you love an author’s story, but don’t know how else to get the word out, leave a review! As an author, I always love hearing my reader’s thoughts about who their favorite character is and how angry they were at the villain. You may just be the words of encouragement that keeps the author going!

I could share many  more, but these are the main reasons why I make a point to leave reviews for the books I read. I hope you can do the same!

Weekend Reads: The King's Oracle (Vanessa)

Happy Friday! I am so excited to share an exciting book with you for Weekend Reads this week. I recently was given an advanced reader copy of The King’s Oracle by Sherry Torgent and loved it! Before I begin my gushing about it, here’s what it’s about:

The Great Destruction has left the Kingdom of Ferran devastated and divided.

The people of the eagle—the Alrenians—have sought safety in the trees, while the people of the wolf—the Uluns—struggle to survive on the toxic ground. But as resources grow scarcer, both factions must face their impending ruin.

When Wynter, a lowly Alrenian transporter, becomes entangled in a kidnapping scheme, she lands right in the hands of the enemy—the heir to the Ulun crown, Gideon. Driven by an obscure oracle of a past king, Gideon is desperate to save his people, and Wynter is just the pawn he needs in his quest to find Isidor, the land prophesied to be untouched by the Great Destruction.

As their worlds collide, Gideon and Wynter must decide whether they will continue on the destructive paths of their predecessors or embrace a destiny of unity. What follows is a quest more dangerous than either of them could imagine.

Let’s start with the setting. The world building in The King’s Oracle is fantastic. I was sucked right into the Kingdom of Ferran and the dueling nations of Alrenia and Ulun. I loved the conflict and the reason behind it.

Next, the characters. Right away the reader loves Wynter and her determination. She’s not willing to let people run over her or control her. She is strong and able to handle deep sorrow and heartbreak, even though she believes she can’t. Gideon is hard to love at first because you don’t know much about him. But, as the story progresses, you see his tender side and begin rooting for him.

Finally, the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging plot of The King’s Oracle. It was a quest within a quest! I love stories within stories that also have a deeper meaning beyond the surface.

The writing of this story was absolutely beautiful, and the action, adventure, and romance were perfectly balanced. 5 stars from me!

To purchase The King’s Oracle, click here.

Behind-the-Scenes of Keen (Keen Blog Tour)

We're thrilled to welcome Laura L. Zimmerman to Lands Uncharted today to celebrate the upcoming release of her debut fantasy novel, Keen! I had the opportunity to endorse this book, and you guys, it's SO GOOD! I'll share more about it below, but first, here's a behind-the-scenes feature from the author! Enjoy!


A lot goes into a character. An author often pulls inspiration from several people in their own life to help round out each role in the book. Let’s learn what inspired Caoine Roberts.

Her personality is based on my daughter. They’re both extreme introverts and avoid social situations at all costs. Think it’s odd that Caoine spends her early days at West Lincoln High under a stairwell? Those scenes were inspired by a real life situation when our family was on vacation. I couldn’t find my daughter until a second sweep of the rental house. She was hiding in the bedroom closet scrolling through Instagram. She literally needed time to be away from people and to re-energize. The running joke in our house is that she “hates people.” Even though we know this is far from truth, there are time’s when Caoine truly believes she just can’t like anyone.

When it comes to food, Caoine is all ME! I’ll admit to being a carb-lover--especially those beloved french fries. *swoon* This food is prominently featured throughout the novel as Caoine’s favorite, as well. Also like me, she’s a vegetarian. In the novel, she can’t tolerate meat because she’s part fae. I wish I could say the same for me--wouldn’t it be cool to be part faerie??--but it’s not because I’m supernatural. Just a boring human.

Okay, let’s move onto the most important detail: coffee. Many of the main characters I create are in love with coffee. (Because coffee is life, right?) And I tried to stop this trend, I really did! Alas, I only got as far as making Caoine hate coffee. (She prefers tea.) Her sidekick Aubree adores the “liquid gold” (as I call it), and the coffee shop is their spot to hang.

My love of singing is also portrayed through the fact that Caoine is literally a banshee who sings a beautiful lament each night. Some say I sing a bit too much, but it’s not something I can turn off. I suppose it would be easier if I were a banshee. At least I’d have an excuse!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this sneak peek into Keen. Stop by the other blog tour stops to read more Behind the Scenes!


How fun, I love that her inspiration comes from both you and your daughter! Congratulations on your new release, Laura! Thank you so much for joining us today! Here's a little more about the author:

Laura L. Zimmerman lives in a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, three daughters, and three furbaby felines. Besides writing, she’s passionate about loving Jesus, anything Star Wars, and singing loudly. She takes her coffee black and spends her days pretending to do yoga. This is her debut novel. Find out more about her at www.lauralzimmerman.wordpress.com.









You can also connect with Laura on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest. And here's the back cover blurb for this fabulous book!

You must walk the darkness to find the light.

Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand new high school, she expects the same response she’s received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends.

But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world. She can’t let that happen. Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever. Her curse is not supposed to work like that.

In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince’s identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers.

Senior year just got real.


Keen releases on July 9th, you can (and should!) pre-order it here. Make sure to join in on the Keen Facebook Party on July 11th! And here's the rest of the blog tour schedule:

Monday, July 1st, Guest Post, Katherine Vinson, www.sparksofember.wordpress.com

Monday, July 1st, Guest Post, Rebecca Bruner, www.rebeccabrunerauthor.com

Tuesday, July 2nd, Visual Post, Kellie Parker, www.kelliemichelleparker.com

Wednesday, July 3rd, Review, Tammera Ayers, www.beliedoutcastlegends.com

Thursday, July 4th, Review/Interview, Pam Halter, www.pamhalter.com/fairiesfantasyfaith

Friday, July 5th, Interview, Jebraun Clifford, www.jebraunclifford.com

Friday, July 5th, Interview, Medomfo Owusu, www.writingsfromagodgirl.wordpress.com

Saturday, July 6th, BookTube Review, Gretchen Engel, www.gretchenekengel.com

Sunday, July 7th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature, Laurie Lucking, www.landsuncharted.com

Monday, July 8th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature, J.M. Hackman, www.jmhackman.com

Tuesday, July 9th, Release-Day Feature, Laura L. Zimmerman, www.lauralzimmerman.wordpress.com

Wednesday, July 10th, Interview, Kelly Barr, www.kellyfbarr.com

Wednesday, July 10th, Review, Vincent Vezza, www.hiddentreasurenovels.com

Thursday, July 11th, FB Party Feature, Michele Israel Harper, www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com

Friday, July 12th, Review, Abigail McKenna, www.novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com

To Catch a Magic Thief by E.J. Kitchens (Laurie)

In case you missed it, our own E.J. Kitchens (affectionately known around Lands Uncharted as Lizzie) released a new book in February! Check out her fun release day post here :)  I had the great honor of reading an early copy of To Catch a Magic Thief and endorsing it, and now I'm excited to share my review with all of you!

Gabriella is the second daughter in the beautiful, prestigious Floraison family. While she possesses the pride that comes along with her family's striking looks and lofty position, she also harbors a dark secret - she has a sinister scar on her finger and dreams that seem to link her to the evil sorcerers. When Marcel, a new student of her father's, keeps crossing her path, Gabriella wants nothing to do with the awkward baron. But their lives become more and more entwined as they uncover evidence that the notorious Magic Thief has plans to strike the Floraison family, not only for their magical treasures, but for Gabriella herself.

Are you intrigued yet?? Because I got chills again just writing that! Like Kitchens' debut novel, The Rose and the Wand, To Catch a Magic Thief has a wonderful blend of magic, humor, adventure, and Jane Austen-esque romance. Just my kind of story! Her writing style is sophisticated but fun to read, and her world-building gets even more fascinating in this book as we learn more about sorcerers and magic collectors. I loved the organic way in which Gabriella and Marcel's relationship developed from annoyance and misunderstandings to working together to friendship (and maybe even beyond...). Their interactions had so many moments of both entertainment and deeper meaning as each character learned more about themselves and the other. I also really enjoyed the mystery behind the Magic Thief and Gabriella's scarred finger, adding a level of suspense that made me eager to keep reading!

If, like me, you're a fan of both fantasy and period romances, you absolutely need to give Kitchens' Magic Collectors series a try. I'm looking forward to future installments!


Have you read any of Lizzie's books yet? Do you have any other historical fantasy romance recommendations for me?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie


P.S. You'll get to hear about what Julie's been reading later this month - we switched to free up her time for some adventures this week :)

Top 3 New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2018 (Laurie)

I must admit, I have a total love/hate relationship with Top 3s posts (which is ironic, since I'm the one who came up with the idea in the first place!). I always have fun coming up with ideas for them and I love reading the Top 3s of the other bloggers at Lands Uncharted, but every time I sit down to write one of these posts I find it SO HARD to narrow my choices down to just three! And today is no exception. I've seen so many bloggers talking about their top books from 2018, but I knew there was no way I'd manage to choose only three. So instead, I thought I'd stick to authors whose books I'd never read prior to last year. It turns out, there were ten of them! And I liked them all! *Sigh* But after much painful deliberation, I finally managed to produce my Top 3 New-to-Me Authors I read in 2018 (plus an honorable mention). Enjoy!



3. Lindsay A. Franklin

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for The Story Peddler earlier this year, and I was totally blown away by Lindsay A. Franklin's debut novel! (You can find my review here.) Fabulous world-building, fascinating characters, and such a powerful message about the importance of stories and art. I believe the second book in the series will be coming out sometime this year (it has another gorgeous cover!), and I'm looking forward to seeing what's coming next in Tanwen's adventures.

2. Sarah Delena White

I'd heard good things about Halayda by Sarah Delena White ever since it released, but for some reason it took me a while to finally get around to reading it. I was so glad when I did! Her vivid, complex characters totally captured my heart, her depiction of Faerie was such fun to explore, and her writing style was lovely. Plus, it had that perfect blend of fantasy and romance that I just adore! The sequel, Rothana, released late last year and is coming up soon in my to-read pile, I can't wait!



1. Morgan L. Busse

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Morgan L. Busse is one of those authors I've been hearing about for years, but despite my best intentions I still hadn't read any of her previous books each time she published a new release. In 2018 I made a conscious effort to change that by signing up for her advance reader team for Mark of the Raven. And what an excellent decision that was! Her world and characters drew me in right from the start, as did her lyrical prose. By the end of the book I absolutely loved the direction the story was taking, and I'm so excited to read Flight of the Raven in a few months!



And because I'm not quite decisive enough to select just three favorite new-to-me authors from 2018, I also have to give a shout-out to Pam Halter, whose debut YA fantasy novel Fairyeater was absolutely wonderful. Deep characters, an inspiring message, and such cool world-building!


Have you read any of these books? Did you find any new favorite authors in 2018? Let us know in the comments!


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

The Rejected Princess by Katie Clark (Laurie)

You've probably heard me gush about author Katie Clark before. First, her Enslaved series (which I reviewed here), then Shadowed Eden (which I reviewed here). But she recently released my favorite book of hers yet! We had the opportunity to interview Katie leading up to the release of The Rejected Princess (which you can find here), and now I'm excited to share my review!


Princess Roanna wants to do her best to fulfill her duties to her family and kingdom, but her role becomes so much harder when her parents want her to marry Prince Roland of Dawson's Edge. Roland seems to be hiding something, and his presence causes strange sensations in her - almost as if she's developing one of the unusual powers her country has striven to eradicate. Her growing feelings for her close friend, Prince Ben, don't make the pending marriage any easier, either. When an attack from an unknown source puts her loved ones in danger, Roanna must decide where to place her trust as she uncovers secrets about her new fiance and her own family.


I absolutely flew through this book! Princess Roanna was very easy to relate to as she navigated difficult decisions between fulfilling her family's desires and following her own heart. Her friendship with Ben was sweet but laced with a palpable romantic tension. The mystery of her blossoming powers was so intriguing - where did they come from? Why did they manifest at some times and not others? How would people react if they found out? Adding the puzzle of the attacks got me turning pages even faster.

The setting had a bit of a steampunk feel to it, which was fun and different for a fantasy revolving around royalty. It was interesting to explore the perceptions the different countries had about each other and how they changed over the course of the book. I've always found Katie Clark's writing style engaging, and The Rejected Princess was no exception! My only complaint when I first read this book was that I wanted more of my questions to be answered at the end, and I'd seen no indication of a sequel. But I have great news! The author herself told me it's going to be a series and my questions will be answered in later books :) Yay!!

Bottom line: if you enjoy royalty-based stories in a more modern setting with romance, intrigue, and a dash of fantasy, I would highly recommend The Rejected Princess!


What book kept you turning pages recently? Have you read any of Katie Clark's books?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Authors Who Write Books Faster Than I Can Read Them (Laurie)

You've probably heard me bemoan the insanity that is my to-read mountain before. (Like in this post, for instance...) I love that as a writer I've had the opportunity to get to know so many amazing fellow authors, but every time I meet a new author, I want to read one of his or her books. And if I like that one, I want to read the rest! Plus, I need to take some time to write, spend time with family, clean the house... The difficulty is clear. But there are a few prolific authors who cause additional challenges because they just keep publishing awesome-sounding books, far faster than I can get around to reading them. So today, I thought I'd share my top 3 authors who write books faster than I can read them :)


3) Morgan Busse

I had the opportunity to meet this lovely author at Realm Makers a few weeks ago, and I got my copy of her debut novel, Daughter of Light (Follower of the Word, Book 1), signed! Yay!! But I've owned this book for a while, and I'm quite ashamed of myself that I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Meanwhile, she finished writing her Follower of the Word series several years ago, and has since published Tainted and Awakened (The Soul Chronicles), which I also really want to read. Now Mark of the Raven, which sounds SO good and has a gorgeous cover, is coming out in November. I have so much catching up to do!


2) Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson was one of my first introductions into the world of Christian fiction, and I just adore her sweet fairy tale romances. Once upon a time, I was all caught up on her published books. But then I became a writer, and I fell a bit behind. Then she published more of her Hagenheim Medieval fairy tale retellings. Then she branched off a new set of Medieval fairy tale retellings into the Thornbeck series. Then she published a set of Regency romances. Now she's self-publishing a Southern historical in just a few months. Do you see the problem? I want to read them all, but I'm so hopelessly behind I hardly know which of her books to pick up first! (Let me know in the comments if you have a suggestion!)


1) H.L. Burke

This girl does it all. She writes tons of books, all while organizing promotional efforts, coordinating anthologies, and homeschooling her kids. I stand in awe. Her stories have a great mix of snarky humor, cool magic systems, and swoon-worthy romances that make me want to read every one! But I just can't keep up. To illustrate how hard I'm trying, I read an advance review copy of her new July release, Flower, a few weeks ago. Now I'm reading an advance review copy of her upcoming release, Spice Bringer, while simultaneously listening to her Nyssa Glass series on audiobook. And I'm still behind! I haven't read books 2 and 3 in the Spellsmith & Carver series, I've barely touched her backlist of books, and she has two more coming out in the next few months. I salute you, H.L. Burke, but you really are contributing to the giant problem that is my TBR mountain :)


How about you? Are there any authors in your life who publish books faster than you can read them? What are some of the books at the top of your TBR pile / mountain?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Series Spotlight: The Chronicle of the Three by Tabitha Caplinger

Today, we're thrilled to be part of the blog tour celebrating Eden Sword - the third and final book in Tabitha Caplinger's The Chronicle of the Three series! But because this is our first time featuring Tabitha's books, I'm considering this a spotlight of the whole series :) First, here's a bit about the author:


Tabitha Caplinger is a wife, mom, youth pastor and professed tv addict. It's seriously a problem but she doesn't plan on getting help anytime soon. Mostly because she loves the stories. She can't help but get lost in the worlds created and invested in the lives of the characters. She brings that same passion for the story to her own writing. Aside from writing and watching tv, Tabitha can be found singing off key and dancing in the kitchen or car with her two adorably sassy daughters and awesome husband who she thinks is kind of cute.


Connect with Tabitha on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. And here are blurbs for each of the books in The Chronicle of the Three!







Bloodline

Zoe thought the loss of her parents would be the most difficult thing she’d ever have to endure. When she began seeing things she couldn’t explain in her new home of Torchcreek, Virginia, she was sure the grief was driving her mad. Instead Zoe discovers she is part of an ancient bloodline, one destined to defeat the powers of darkness from condemning the world. But Zoe, the daughter of the three, isn’t just another descendant, but the key to humanity’s salvation. In this first installment of the paranormal fantasy trilogy The Chronicle of the Three, Zoe Andrews learns that not all shadows are harmless interceptions of light. Some are a more sinister darkness that wants to torment the soul.



Armor-Bearer

Darkness creeps around every corner as demons gather in the small town of Torch Creek, Virginia. The Destroyer has arrived, and the Reaping is coming closer by the day. Zoe knows it’s her duty as the Daughter of the Three to hold back the shadows, but she doesn't know how, and time is running out. Zoe and her friends turn to the ancient text of the chronicle for help. Are they strong enough to withstand an enemy who exploits their deepest fears and doubts? Will they find the answers they're looking for before all of Hell is unleashed? Zoe’s journey as the prophecy’s promised Daughter continues in this second installment of the fantasy trilogy, The Chronicle of the Three.



Eden Sword

The final showdown is fast approaching, and a griefstricken Zoe is forced to count the cost of her destiny. As the losses mount, her strength wanes. Even if the Chosen find the Eden Sword in time, will Zoe be strong enough to wield it? Will she be able to stand against the darkness as the promised Daughter of the ancient prophecy? Or will she be consumed by the fear of her nightmares becoming real? Fear or faith? Even the Chosen must choose. In this final installment of The Chronicle of the Three, light and darkness collide as Zoe discovers there is more than one battlefield in this war.




Sounds intense, right? You can find these amazing books on Amazon, iBooks, BookBub, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Goodreads! As part of the release excitement, the author is hosting the #TCO3FlashFix Readathon on April 28th on Facebook and Instagram! Here's a fun excerpt to get started with :)


“What are we missing?” Zoe said yawning.

“You look like crap,” Maggie’s nose wrinkled as she spoke.

Zoe crinkled her brow. “Thanks, friend.”

“I care, and you can tell me all about it later. Promise. But back to me,” Mags said, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot rather aggressively. “I think I should have a sword and Claire is not in agreement.,” she said.

Zoe turned to Claire. Her aunt ran a hand through her hair before responding, “I just think that
a sword might…”

“Be a huge mistake,” Daniel said laughing. “But we can go back to the consecrated butter knife discussion.”

Zoe giggled when Maggie stuck her tongue out at Daniel. “Laugh, go ahead,” Maggie said, “but I’m serious and I will not be deterred.”

“Mags,” Zoe put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I thought the crossbow was working out. You’re getting good at it, and it keeps you at a safe distance.”

Maggie pulled away. Zoe could see her determination as she squared her shoulders. “I’m not going to just sit on the sidelines, at a safe distance, while you all put your lives on the line. This is just as important to me as it is to you and I want to fight, really fight. I can do more than be back up or the look out or adorable, comic relief,” Maggie argued.

“Maggie, it’s dangerous,” Zoe pleaded.

“I know. I’m a big girl, teach me how to use a sword and let me fight beside you.” Maggie’s puppy eyes and pouty face shifted from Zoe to Claire and back again.

Claire sighed. “I’ll teach you,” she relented, “but whether or not you get to fight beside anyone will depend on how well you do. Got it?”

“Deal!” Maggie let out a squeal. “This is going to be awesome. And I’m totally going to take it seriously. I mean, I might be really good at this. And this whole chosen thing started with three old guys in the desert and it could end with three girls. It’s symmetry, or full circle or whatever… it’s cool.”

Zoe echoed her aunt’s chuckle before both women wrapped Maggie into a group hug.

“Uh, and what am I?” Daniel chimed in from behind them.

Maggie replied, “Sorry, but you ruin the math. You can be the adorable, comic relief.”

Zoe peeked out from the group hug and was amused by Daniel's flustered expression. “You are adorable,” she said then winked at him.

He smirked. “I am.”

Congratulations on your new release, Tabitha!

The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin (Laurie)

We are so excited today to be a part of the blog tour celebrating the release of The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin!! I could tell the moment I saw the cover that this was a book I needed to read, and I'm so glad I did! I'll include more of the blog tour information below, but first, here's my review :)

Tanwen is in training to become a registered story peddler - someone who can create threads while telling a story and crystallizes them into a sculpture to sell. An orphan, she appreciates the love of her best friend Brac and his family, but she dreams of seeing more of the world and of someday becoming the Royal Storyteller. But the king has harsh restrictions on which stories can be told, and something inside Tanwen begins to revolt. When one of her stories turns against the king, she finds herself on the run with a band of rogue storytellers and other artists, where she discovers her family's past and the very real danger of suppressing creativity.

My favorite part of this story by far was the world-building! The way Tanwen and other storytellers could create tangible objects with their stories was so cool, and the author's descriptions of the process were just stunning. I also enjoyed learning about songweavers and colormasters, and I'm hoping we'll find out more about those specialties later in the series. I also loved the themes of the power of art and story to reveal truth and the importance of allowing creativity to flourish. Talk about inspiring!

I liked the characters in this book, but I wish I could've connected with them more. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or the changing points of view, but for some reason I just never felt like I got to know them as well as I would've liked. That being said, I think Princess Braith was my favorite because of her quiet integrity and courage. I was also fascinated by Gryfelle, and I really appreciated Brac's steadiness and loyalty. I'm very curious to see how things will work out for all of them in the rest of the series!

If you're looking for well-written fantasy with a unique premise (and a gorgeous cover!), I would definitely recommend checking out The Story Peddler. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, ChristianBook.com, and Goodreads.


Here's a bit about the author:

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin. Sign up for her e-mail list here: http://eepurl.com/bwF64j.

Make sure to stop by the epic Facebook party Lindsay is co-hosting with Sara Ella on May 1st at 7:00 pm CST! And don't miss the other stops on the blog tour! Here's the full schedule:

Tuesday, April 24th
- Book Spotlight – Tabitha Caplinger
- Review – Jane Maree Author
- Review – E. Kaiser Writes-A-Blog

Wednesday, April 25th
- Interview – Quills and Inkblotts
- Interview – H.L. Burke Author

Thursday, April 26th
- Review & Interview – Reality Reflected
- Review – Lands Uncharted
- Review – Scriblerians

Friday, April 27th
- Review – Ralene Burke
- Book Spotlight – Morgan L. Busse, Author

Saturday, April 28th
- Interview – Liv K. Fisher
- Review – C O Bonham
- Visual Post – Jebraun Clifford
- Review – Pages and Pekoe

Monday, April 30th
- Book Spotlight – New Authors Fellowship
- Interview – Unicorn Quester
- Interview – Singh with Books

Tuesday, May 1st
- Review – i am not a bookworm!
- Review – Worthy2Read
- Review – Lori’s Book Loft

- The Story Peddler and Unbreakable Facebook Launch Party

Wednesday, May 2nd
- Blog Tour Wrap-Up – Unicorn Quester


Lindsay is also celebrating with a giveaway! Use the link below to enter to win a signed print copy of The Story Peddler, a blue strand book sleeve, a custom Story Peddler bookmark, a fluffhopper sticker, and a set of five mini Story Peddler art prints! (U.S. only.) Congratulations on your new release, Lindsay!

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Top 3 Portal Fantasies (Laurie)

Happy Saturday, everyone! As I mentioned in a recent post, my short story "Threshold" was published in an anthology titled Mythical Doorways at the end of March. It was my first attempt at writing a portal fantasy, and I had so much fun with it! Since I've had portal fantasies on my mind, I thought today I'd share my top 3! Now I know there are some amazing, world-famous portal fantasies out there, such as C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, but I thought for this post I'd focus on books that aren't quite as well known :)


3. Spark by J.M. Hackman

You read that right, this book is by our very own Jill, and I LOVED it!! Brenna travels through a portal in a search for her missing mother and winds up in an alternate reality called Linneah. Brenna's voice was so genuine and humorous as she experienced joys and challenges on her adventures, which made exploring Linneah such a blast! And the descriptions of the scenery and creatures of Linneah were spot on - enough to give a stunning visual but not so much that it slowed the narrative down. Linneah was the perfect mix of familiarity and novelty, and I can't wait to visit again in future books! (The next of which, Flare, happens to be releasing later this year!)





2. Unblemished by Sara Ella

This book blew me away! Eliyana discovers that the world we know is only one of seven Reflections, and travels to another Reflection to try to save her mom (apparently a lot of moms need saving in portal fantasies!). I loved the way that each Reflection was distinct, yet had parallels to familiar landmarks. And the methods of travel between Reflections were so crazy! Combine all this cool world-building with gorgeous writing, an edge-of-your-seat love triangle, and a few major plot twists, and it's no wonder I was hooked!






1. Illusionary by Desiree Williams

*Happy sigh* This book, you guys - I read it over a year ago, and it still makes me giddy! When Kamryn falls down the stairs and wakes up in the Land of Ur, she needs to find a way back home. And help save Ur from destruction. Ur had so many fun parallels to other famous fantasy worlds, such as Neverland and Oz, but all with a unique twist. And the storyteller! Reese's abilities were so cool, and I loved how his well-being was so connected to Ur as a whole. The message and heart behind this story were just beautiful, which, combined with the adorable romance, totally made me grin :) One of my all-time favorite books!!




I look forward to reading (and maybe even writing!) many more portal fantasies in the future! Have you read any of these books? What are some of your favorite portal fantasies?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Characters in the Sentinel Trilogy (Laurie - Sage blog tour)

Today we're excited to be part of the blog tour celebrating Jamie Foley's latest release, Sage! Jamie has visited Lands Uncharted several times, sharing an author interview and her Top 3 Favorite Aether Gifts. See below for more information about the author, Sage, and the rest of the blog tour.

I knew this series conclusion would be epic based on the earlier books (remember when I included it in my Top 3 Series Conclusions Coming in 2018?) It did not disappoint! So much action, humor, amazing world-building, and romantic moments that made me grin :) But what has struck me the most throughout this series is the way the characters leap off the page. They all have quirks, flaws, growth, and distinctive personalities that make them feel like I could meet them in real life. So while it was hard to choose, in honor of the series conclusion I decided to share my Top 3 Characters in the Sentinel Trilogy!

3) Ellie

I just adore Ellie because she's so full of surprises! She begins as a grandmotherly figure - a wise leader with a calming presence not only because her aether gift allows her to influence others' emotions, but also due to her soothing personality. But as the series goes on, this amazing lady turns out to have some real spunk (she gave me at least one laugh-out-loud moment in Sage!) and an incredible amount of power. I love characters who have this kind of depth and move so far beyond first impressions.


2) Aleah

Aleah is definitely the character I related to most throughout this series. She's sweet, caring, and conflict-avoidant, but sneaks in a few wonderfully witty remarks, too :) It broke my heart when she was manipulated and led astray in Arbiter (Book 2), and the author did a beautiful job bringing her redemption and self-forgiveness in the series finale. I enjoyed seeing Aleah step up to take responsibility for her full power, and her relationship with a certain crush was just so cute!!


1) Jet

Ah, Jet. By the end of Sentinel (Book 1), he'd earned a place as one of my top character crushes, and the later books in the series have only solidified that position. Jet is cagey, tough, and often sarcastic, but his vulnerability shows through just often enough to illustrate his heart of gold. For all the barriers he puts up, he proves time and again that he cares deeply and will do anything to protect the people he loves. I must admit I was ready to throw something at Ms. Foley during a few scenes in Sage due to her treatment of my beloved Jet, but luckily I kept reading and had more than forgiven her by the end :)


Are you intrigued?? I hope so! Here's a little more about the book:

Ancient elementals awaken, fracturing a dying world to its core.

Teravyn Aetherswift returns to the land of the living, but everything seems unfamiliar… including her little brother. Zekk offers help, but can an alluring Lynx be trusted?

Sorvashti finally has everything she ever wanted, so the last thing she wants to do is run after traitors. But she won’t leave Jet’s side—unless the horrifying truth about his mother tears them apart.

Darien is sick of being used and lied to. But if he stands up for what’s right, he’ll pay the price with his life… or the lives of those he loves.







It's so good, you guys!! You can find Sage on Amazon, Jamie's website, and Goodreads. Here's a little bit about the amazing author:

Jamie Foley loves strategy games, home-grown berries, and Texas winters. She’s terrified of plot holes and red wasps.

Her husband is her manly cowboy astronaut muse. They live between Austin, TX and their family cattle ranch, where their hyperactive spawnling and wolfpack can run free.

You can connect with Jamie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.











Jamie is having a giveaway as part of her blog tour! Enter here for a chance to win a digital $10 Amazon gift card (3 winners) by signing up for Jamie's newsletter. And stop here to see a full list of blog tour posts! Congratulations on your new release, Jamie!!


What makes a character stand out to you? Have you read this series yet, and if so, who are your favorite characters?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie