Weekend Reads: EmberHawk by Jamie Foley

Oh. My. Goodness, y'all! I'm so excited to share my pick for this installment of Weekend Reads that I've tossed out my "professional" tone for the introduction and gone into full-on, unfiltered "me" voice! I honestly could not wait to review this book, and I kept worrying that someone would get to it before I could. For real, though!

That being said, I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Jamie Foley's new book, EmberHawk (Book One in the Katrosi Revolution Series). Known for The Sentinel Trilogy, her YA dystopian series, Jamie breaks new ground in the fantasy world with EmberHawk and it's already scheduled sequel, SilverBlood. One of the things I loved about EmberHawk was the rogue-ish fox character of Felix, not to mention its gorgeous cover... but I'm rambling in my excitement. Without further ado... I present to you the review:

War is threatening in the Malano Empire. Conflicts between ranchers on the border and outlying tribes are increasing, causing hostilities to flare even as drought scorches the land.

With her father and older brother away preparing for war, Kira must help her ailing mother, her grandmother, and her younger brother maintain their family's ranch, but the drought has made resources scarce. Desperate to find a cure for her mother's mysterious illness, Kira supplements her family's resources by trapping animals in the wilderness across the border. Her family is barely holding on, but they're making it.

Until Kira accidentally shoots a tribal scout with an arrow.

He shouldn't have been on her ranch in the first place. Even so, if Kira doesn't make things right, this incident could spark a war that no one wants.

Set in a world where elementals roam the land and are worshiped as gods, is a fantasy unlike any other. The story world is a unique blend of ancient Eastern an American frontier that blends the two in a unique way, presenting a fresh take on fantasy culture.

EmberHawk is a tightly-woven story peopled with quirky, enduring characters that readers can relate to. The fast-paced plot drew me in and kept me engaged without sacrificing character development, and I thoroughly enjoyed the magic system and world building. The details dropped throughout this story like clues also hint at a richly-developed sequel that I can't wait to read.

I hope you pick up a copy of EmberHawk and that you enjoy it as much as I did. If you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Let me know below.

Top 3 Series That Just Keep Getting Better! (Laurie)

Do any of you get a little nervous when you fall in love with the first book in a series? There's always the excitement and anticipation of getting to dive back into that story world, revisit those characters, and see what happens next. But also a hint of anxiety...what if the next book isn't as good? What if the plot starts to fall apart, or the later books just don't have the same magical pull as that first one? I've experienced that disappointment enough times to know the worry is justified, but on the flip side, there are so many series out there that just keep getting better in each book! So today, I wanted to celebrate some of those series, in the form of a Top 3s, of course :)


3. The Chronicle of the Three by Tabitha Caplinger

This series had a lot going for it right from the start. Relatable main characters with a fun group of friends and lots of banter. Action, demon fighting, mystery, a prophecy. But there was also a lot of world-building and backstory to establish in the first book, and the writing style was more omniscient than what I typically read. But by books two and three, the tension just kept getting higher! Characters made sacrifices for each other, loyalties were called into question, and I got so emotionally involved with these characters! Add in more pie, lollipops, and hilariousness from Maggie, and I was hooked :)


2. The Green Princess series by H.L. Burke

I enjoyed the first book in this series - cool world-building, interesting characters, Burke's signature heart and snark. But the romance tended a bit too much toward insta-love for my taste, and the main characters had a few frustratingly naive moments. But I'm so glad I kept reading! In books 2 and 3, several years had passed, during which the main characters developed and matured. After spending some time apart, their romance was stronger and more meaningful. And the world-building just kept getting better, creating high stakes and an epic conclusion. By the end, I was loving every moment with these characters and couldn't put it down!


1. The Sentinel Trilogy by Jamie Foley

This series started out with a bit of a Harry Potter feel as the main character found himself at a new school, discovering a world of supernatural powers and training to use his own unknown abilities. So, of course, I was in love! And it just kept getting better! The writing was so good, the characters so complex, the world-building so fascinating. The story expanded from a boy trying to adjust to a new environment and worldview to an entire cast of characters making difficult choices and fighting for survival. And it all came together so brilliantly, with just the right ending for each beloved character and so many laughs and tears for the reader! Just what a series conclusion should be, in my humble opinion :)



I have so many potential runners up that I'm not going to even try to list them, but let's just say I've read a lot of great series! Plus, I didn't include any ongoing series that I have a feeling will come to epic and satisfying conclusions once they're complete (hmm, there might be the potential for another Top 3s post in here somewhere...). But now I want to hear from YOU! Have you read any of these series? Which series would you recommend that just keeps getting better as you read?


See you next time!
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

Top 3 Series Conclusions Coming in 2018 (Laurie)

Happy 2018 everyone!! The New Year is always a great time to both reflect back and look ahead. And for me, of course, those reflections tend to include books :) But I was having a lot of trouble narrowing down three favorite books of 2017 or three books I'm looking forward to in 2018, because I just know so many amazing authors! But I noticed that some of my favorite series are coming to an end in 2018. So here are the three series finales I'm most looking forward to in 2018:


3) Sage by Jamie Foley

This series is just so amazing! Adventure, tension, characters that jump off the page, and just enough romance to keep my inner romantic satisfied :) There are many central characters in Foley's series, but each book focuses a bit more on a certain one, which connects to the titles and covers. Tara, who as a sage is able to foresee possible futures, played a complicated role in the first book of the series and then was in a coma during the second, so I can't wait to get more of her perspective in book 3! Also, the second book, Arbiter, ended with several characters setting out to make what appears to be a very poor and dangerous decision. What's going to happen?? I get to find out on March 10th, which happens to be my birthday :)

Want to know more about this series? We've got you covered! I reviewed Sentinel (book 1) and Viper (a prequel which is now titled Vanguard) in this post. Plus, the author, Jamie Foley, has visited Lands Uncharted in the past for an interview and to share about her favorite aether gifts (the spiritual gifts different characters have in her series).



2) Unbreakable by Sara Ella

Sara Ella's books produce All. The. Feels. The love triangle is just heart-wrenching, and Eliyana's personal growth is beautifully moving. The ending of Unraveling, the second book in the series, left me reeling and kind of in shock. I have a feeling the characters have some difficult times to get through before everything will resolve, but I can't wait to see what kind of happily-ever-after Ella cooks up, because I'm trusting her to give her readers a satisfying ending. (Right, Sara Ella, right??) I'm also looking forward to revisiting these complex characters, continuing to learn more about the Reflections, and smiling at the humor and fun cultural references incorporated into every page of this awesome series.

Unbreakable releases on May 1st, so you have plenty of time to catch up on Unblemished and Unraveling if you haven't read them yet!



1) Dominion by Julie Hall

Talk about stress-inducing cliffhangers! Gah!! I absolutely adore this series, but in the second book, Warfare, the main two characters were finally making significant progress in their relationship, and then... I can't really say much to avoid spoilers, but let's just say something really bad happened. Something that put one of them in grave danger and is about to endanger many others as they embark on a rescue mission. These books have fantastic world-building, romance, and action, so I just know the conclusion is going to be epic! And will hopefully answer so many questions! Like why a certain character gets to use a special weapon and is targeted by the worst bad guy, why a different character became a traitor, and whether another character will come back from the dark side. Ha, sorry for being so vague - when I first started this post I didn't think about how hard it would be to write about these books without spoilers! Dominion doesn't have a cover or release date yet, but it's coming out sometime this year!

If the name Julie Hall sounds familiar, it may be because she's visited Lands Uncharted before! (Or because she's a USA Today bestselling author!) I reviewed the first book in her Life After series, Huntress, here. And she did a guest post for us last spring sharing her Top 3 Places to Travel.




How about you? What books are you looking forward to this year? Are any of your favorite series coming to an end?




Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Favorite Aether Gifts (by special guest Jamie Foley!)

We're thrilled to welcome Jamie Foley back to Lands Uncharted today as part of the blog tour celebrating the release of Arbiter, the second book in her Sentinel series! Jamie did a fun interview with us back in February (which you can find here), and I reviewed the first two books in her series, Viper and Sentinel, here.

Today, Jamie is stopping by to share her top 3 favorite aether gifts. What are aether gifts, you may wonder? A super cool concept from her series! I realize that's still not very helpful, so luckily she took the time to provide some definitions and a lovely graphic :)


AETHER The energy source for spiritual gifts. It is generated by one’s soul and is invisible, but can be sensed by aethryn. Depending on one’s gift, it might be detected in the form of a color, a scent, a taste, or otherwise.

ARBITER A common spiritual gift that can transfer thoughts and memories from one mind to another.

EXORCIST A rare spiritual gift that can siphon another’s aether. A slang term for an exorcist is ‘vampire.’

HEALER A somewhat rare spiritual gift that can detect injury and fuse torn flesh together. Master healers can learn to cure certain illnesses.

SAGE A very rare spiritual gift that allows the user to see possible futures.

SENTINEL A common spiritual gift that can release aether in powerful waves or compact strikes.

SIFTER A rare spiritual gift that can sense aether from great distances and conceal its own aether signature.

VALNAH A common spiritual gift that can influence the feelings and emotions of others. Means ‘song of courage’ in the Ancient language.

VANGUARD A common spiritual gift that can create walls of aether, varying in strength depending on the user’s skill.

WEAVER A rare spiritual gift that can bind aether into physical objects. Bound aether diminishes very slowly over time.

Awesome, right? So now that you know about the different aether gifts, here are Jamie's top 3!


Humans in The Sentinel Trilogy can't choose their own gift--they're born with one that they have a natural affinity for. But anyone can learn the four most common gifts--sentinel, vanguard, arbiter, and valnah--with enough time and dedication. Just like I could learn to paint and play the piano, but really, I'm only going to be best with the skills God gave me from birth.

But if I could choose my own aether gift... well... I'd be an exorcist. Maybe the idea of having tons of aether goes along with me being an adrenaline junkie or a pyro. What? I'm a totally normal, sane person. >:3

Exorcists have to be really skilled, though, to get in a close-combat situation to be able to drain their opponent. So my second choice would have to be sentinel. Blasting things with waves of energy that I can fling around with my mind? Yes, please.

And third... hmm... that's a hard choice. If I were a sifter, I'd always know where my kids were. If I were an arbiter, I'd always know when they were lying. And if I were a valnah, I could always make them feel better.

But I'll have to go with vanguard. Maybe I could prevent a car wreck with the soft side of a vanguard wall, or have a magical extra counter space in my kitchen. The possibilities are endless!


Now I'm wondering which ones I would pick...so many good choices! Want to know more? Here's the blurb for Arbiter, Jamie's latest release:

Archangels return to Alani, creating a new generation of Serrans… for a price.

Jet Valinor can’t keep his secrets from Darien any longer. Sorvashti seeks revenge against her husband’s killer—a debt that can only be paid in blood.

The Lynx want their base back. The Serrans will fetch a good price for Zekk Sorrowsong, or make excellent slaves… if he can capture them before they’re betrayed from within.


I got to read an advance copy of Arbiter and it's SO good! The action starts right on the first page, and all the new information and plot twists kept me guessing throughout. If you like fantasy with phenomenal world-building and complex characters, definitely check out this series! You can find out more about the trilogy and purchase links here.


And here's a little more about the author:

YA fantasy 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 learn more about Jamie at her website, jamiesfoley.com, or by connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 


 Thank you so much for visiting today, Jamie!! Today is the last day of the Arbiter blog tour giveaway! Here's the link for the entry form: https://goo.gl/forms/t92uVgb7qSKAz6Ud2

Interview with Jamie Foley

We're thrilled to welcome Jamie Foley to Lands Uncharted today! Jamie is the author of the Sentinel Trilogy, plus she knows a ton about web design and marketing, and is just a really fun person :) She took the time to answer some questions for us about herself and her writing:


Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Howdy! I’m a workaholic marketing specialist/webmaster/graphic artist/indie publisher/author. Apparently that’s a thing…?

I live in central Texas with my Irish cowboy husband, hyperactive toddler, and snuggle-bunny Australian Shepherd. We’re rabid gamers and unashamed nerds.


What prompted you to start writing? Are you one of those authors who knew you were meant to write since childhood, or did it come as a discovery later in life?

I knew I loved to create stories since childhood—apparently I won the “storyteller award” in second grade, but not sure if that was for lying. What? I never lie.

But I doubted myself so badly in high school—I was never good at English, and apparently I thought that was a requirement for being a good author. (This is why we have editors, right?) Thus my education and professional path of webmaster.

God had other plans. Even as I was working for a publisher (Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins), He bashed me on the head until I resigned and began full-time writing. It’s been hard work, but His blessings are undeniable, and I couldn’t be happier.


Which fictional character (book or movie) do you most relate to, and why?

Hmm, probably Starfire from Teen Titans. I’ve always felt a bit socially awkward—like I didn’t belong, but happy to be wherever I was and proud of my nerdy self. I love to have fun and delight in my friends, but make me angry and some planet’s gonna explode.


What are your go-to foods or beverages while writing?

Super boring answer… but I’m addicted to water. Yes, just plain, filtered water. But it must be in my Yeti, which must always be full. And preferably cold, but with no ice.

… I have issues.


Why did you choose to write YA fantasy?

Because that’s what I love to read! And because there was a serious lack of clean Christian adventure/action/fantasy when I was growing up. Nowadays the YA section is full of stuff most sheltered kids aren’t allowed to read, and I want to fill that hole. My books are free of sex and cussing, but hopefully just as much fun as the mainstream epics.


What advice would you share with an aspiring author? 

Decide if you want to write for pleasure or for business. It’s OK just to write for pleasure and not publish everything, just like it’s OK to be a hobby artist or musician!

But if you do want to be a career writer, realize that you’re starting a small business—and all small business require a monetary investment and a start-up period of a few years. Be willing to learn, save up, and sacrifice. Surround yourself with professionals—from top editors to bestselling authors to award-winning cover designers to marketing gurus—and I promise your hard work will pay off.


We're all about exploring new worlds here at Lands Uncharted - if you could choose one place to visit, real or fictional, where would you go?

Do I have to choose one?? Well… then it would probably be Narnia. Assuming that I couldn’t go back in time and visit Rome, or ancient Earth before the flood. Or Rivendell. Or Kashyyyk… sorry.

 
Your Sentinel trilogy involves some fascinating world-building, what inspired you to write it?

Oh, lots of things! Each country in the world of Alani is based on some collaboration of Earth cultures or locations I’ve visited and love, or historical time periods, or some awesome fantasy people from another work.

Valinor is loosely based upon the United Kingdom. The people of LaKota are inspired by Scottish clans, Native American tribes, and traditions of early Israel. The island of Malaan is similar in its customs to Imperial Japan. And the deadly forests of Katrosi weren’t fully settled until later in the world’s lifeline, making it similar to America in its melting pot of cultures.

I try to keep my world-building based in historical fact, but ooooh, how much fun it is to scheme! >:3



Which aspects of indie publishing have been the most challenging and most rewarding?

It’s challenging to supply your own funds for crafting a professional work all by yourself, but if you know it’s what you want to do as a career and you save up, you’ll find that most all of the pros out there are happy to work with indie authors. Learning the ropes is tough at first, but boy, is it worth it!

One bonus of indie publishing is that you can be a little more… out there… than some publishers might approve of. Yes, you should definitely hire a professional editor or two, but at the end of the day, you get to make the call when your work is ready for the world to see.

Another reward is when the monetary investment returns and you don’t have to pay any middle-men. But if you can land a contract with one of the Big 5 publishers, signing that baby would definitely be worth it!

 
Can you tell us anything about your work-in-progress?

Oh yes, I just finished writing a chapter of The Sentinel Trilogy book 2: Arbiter this morning!

In this story, the heroes are torn apart from one another—half-way across the world. Jet is the main character, but we also get perspectives from his little sister Aleah, a healer who doesn’t know who to trust, Darien, who learns more about his long-lost parents than he ever wanted to know, and a charming new villain whose job is to make slaves out of the super-powered heroes—and he’s very good at his job.

I’m expecting the cover to come in from Kirk DouPonce any day now, so sign up for the newsletter on jamiesfoley.com for the latest updates and a free novella—the prequel to the Trilogy. :)


In addition to an author and web designer, you're also a pro at marketing! Please share your favorite marketing tip.

That depends on what business you’re in! In general, though, just be you on your blog and social media. People crave what’s genuine, so don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Be consistent, be unique, and be honest.

And if you’re an author, check out marketing sites and email lists that can promote your book to their audience for you. Small sites like My Book Cave, justkindlebooks, and Book Barbarian don’t charge much but they can hit just as hard as the big guns like BookBub and Freebooksy. Offer your book for free for a day and rack up those reviews.

And if you want more detailed marketing advice for your writing career, shoot me an email. I don’t bite. ;)


No visit to Lands Uncharted is complete without Top 3s! Give us a Top 3 list, in the category of your choice.

How about… the top 3 fantastical places you would NEVER want to visit! Mine would be Mustafar, the Dead Marshes, and pretty much the entire Game of Thrones world. Hehe!


Thank you so much for visiting, Jamie! You can check out my reviews of her awesome books, Sentinel and Viper, here. You can learn more about Jamie at her website, jamiesfoley.com, or by connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.