Review/Giveaway: Avelynn: The Edge of Faith by Marissa Campbell

 It's the year 871. 

Charges of treason, murder, and witchcraft follow Avelynn into exile as she flees England with Alrik.

 Arriving in Wales, they find refuge among Alrik's friends in the Welsh nobility. Cast out by his half-brothers, Alrik seeks to regain his honor and earn favor with the gods. When war threatens, Alrik embraces gold and the opportunity for his crew to become mercenaries, aiding the Southern Welsh kings in their fight against Rhodri the Great.

 Desperate to return home, Avelynn seeks to find a way to prove her innocence, but she is pitted against Alrik as their desires for the future clash. With battle looming, Avelynn's faith in their relationship is further tested through a bitter struggle with Marared, a jealous lover from Alrik's past. Marared's threats turn deadly, and Avelynn runs afoul of magic and sorcery, causing her to question her beliefs and role as priestess.

 When Avelynn and Alrik are betrayed, Avelynn is captured and Alrik is charged with regicide. The two become separated, a chasm of greed, deceit, and ambition driving them apart. In an act of harrowing faith, Avelynn will stop at nothing to find her way back to Alrik and break them both free from Wales's bloodthirsty grasp.

 AVELYNN: THE EDGE OF FAITH is a stand-alone novel and #2 in the Avelynn series.

Publication Date: September 26, 2016 

eBook; 302 Pages 

ASIN: B01KUC6N9Y

Genre: Historical Romance/Medieval Series: Avelynn (Book Two)

   

****

This is one of those books that I have been anticipating all year. I really enjoyed book one in the series Avelynn (click here for review) and while The Edge of Faith works as a standalone I highly recommend going back and reading the first one just because it was that good. 

 The Edge of Faith continued right where Avelynn left off, it felt like I was together again with old friends and playing catch up, that's how much the author made me care about Alrik and Avelynn and their plight. Christianity is relatively new to the island and while not everyone has grasped it, there are still those around that practice the supernatural arts. This was central to the story and gave it that authentic feel to the time period. 

 Marissa Campbell is a talented author, she knows how to draw the reader in, she creates empathy and an emotional bond, which drew me right in, I had a hard time putting this book down.  The suspense, uncertainty and mystery kept me guessing at the outcome.  Her descriptive writing made it easy to visualize so much. There is romance here, suffice to say the author knows how to make the pages sizzle.

While the conclusion was fitting it also left an opening for book three (fingers crossed).  Thank you to Amy at HFVBT for the invite to be part of this tour (for which I received the ebook, for an honest review).

Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble (Nook) | Kobo

Marissa Campbell is a published freelance author, and co-author of the award-winning, spiritual self-help book Life: Living in Fulfillment Every Day. Her debut historical fiction AVELYNN, was published through St. Martin’s Press, September 2015. Look for the second book in the AVELYNN series, releasing Fall 2016.

She is a proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America, Writer’s Community of Durham Region, and local critique group B7.

When she is not writing, she is busy looking after her wonderful children, spending time with her fantastic husband, hanging out with her awesome friends, teaching yoga, dancing, laughing, and having fun!

For more information visit http://marissacampbell.com.

You can also follow Marissa Campbell on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Giveaway

To win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Avelynn: The Edge of Faith eBook, please enter via the Gleam form below. 1 gift card and 5 eBooks are up for grabs!

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  Avelynn: The Edge of Faith

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Review: Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley

A haunting tale of intrigue from New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley.

Although it goes against her workaholic nature, literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw lets herself be whisked off to Wales for the Christmas holidays by her star client, flamboyant children's author Bridget Cooper. She suspects Bridget has ulterior motives, but the lure of South Wales with its castles and myths is irresistible. Perhaps a change of scene will bring relief from the nightmares that have plagued her since the death of her child.

Lyn immerses herself in the peace and quiet of the charming Welsh village, but she soon meets an eccentric young widow who's concerned her baby son is in danger—and inexplicably thinks Lyn is the child's protector.

Lyn's dreams become more and more disturbing as she forms a surprisingly warm friendship with a reclusive, brooding playwright, and is pulled into an ancient world of Arthurian legend and dangerous prophecies. Before she can escape her nightmares, she must uncover the secret of her dreams, which is somehow inextricably located in a time long ago and far away...

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Published October 6th 2015 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published July 13th 1998) 

arc - netgalley

****  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Originally published in 1998 Named of the Dragon has been re released earlier this month.  I've read a number of Susanna Kearsley books but I have to say that this one had a different feel to it.  I don't mean that in a bad way either, the others I've read take place in historical pasts but this one didn't.  It does mention historical figures but this story takes place in current time period.

I love the cover and think that it is a nice portrayal of Lynn.  Even though its been a number of years since she lost her child, seeing her sit like that shows a mother still grieving.  I think that I connected with Lynn because we share that common bond of grief.  I could relate to her when situations brought back memories of the past.  Some might say 5 years is enough time to forget, but really there is no time limit to grieving and I like the way the author showed that.

The story itself was interesting, mysterious with a touch of romance (but not overpowering).  Not being too knowledgeable with the Arthurian legend it has (again) peeked my interest.  Isn't it great after finished a book you add a bunch more books to the ever expanding TBR (Arthurian and Tennyson too)?

A number of years ago I had the privilege of taking a workshop with Susanna Kearsley on the writing of HF (Ontario Writers Conference 2012).  She talked about going on location for her  books.  That was very evident here and it wasn't hard to visualize the setting and feel the atmosphere described.

Click out this imagine for actually pictures of the location.

Again Susanna Kearsley did not disappoint, it isn't hard to get lost in her stories, highly recommend. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sacrifice: Book One of y Ddraig (The Dragons of Brython) by Gwendolyn Beynon

528 A.D. Cymru (Wales)

Melangell is a ‘Lifebringer’, a dragon-maiden learning to protect one of the land’s most ancient mysteries, y Ddraig. She expects to pass her years as have a score of teachers before her—sequestered, safeguarding an egg that barely moves from year to year, never using the deadly and secret skills she has been taught. But the King’s relentless pursuit of this most holy relic throws her into the middle of war and though she is not yet adept Melangell must enter captivity with the egg to defend the sleeping dragonling within.

Her abductor is Cai ap Cynyr—fierce warrior, loyal brother and sword-arm to the high Chieftain, Artwr. He has been scouring the land for the relics Artwr demands to ensure triumph against the Angles invading from the east. Cai uses the Lifebringer’s mystique to master his armsmen, but when he spirits Melangell and the dragon egg further into seclusion, she grows intrigued by her captor. But she is a Lifebringer—sworn only to y Ddraig—and Cai must deliver the dragonling to Artwr to at last drag himself out of his legendary brother’s deep shadow.

And all the while, the egg readies itself to emerge…

*Sacrifice is the first in a series of three books based around y Ddraig (the Dragon) set in sixth-century Arthurian Wales, featuring characters based on Welsh myth, literature and/or history.

June 5, 2015 | Dark Pages Publishing

GENRE: Historical/Fantasy/Romance

paperback provided as part of tour

****

I am a big fan of historical fiction and tend to shy away from fantasy novels. However I do make exceptions every once in a while such is the case with Sacrifice.  Taking place in the fifth century during the Arthurian era I was keen to read this book.  Having an interest in Arthur but never really pursuing that desire, I jumped at the chance to be part of this tour. Sacrifice is the book in a planned trilogy and I was impressed with this book.

Melangell is a likeable character, given what she endures, especially as she is introduced to the reader, it isn't hard to feel compassion and connect with her.  The desire to know more about her, the way of  life for a Lifebringer and see where destiny takes her kept me reading and genuinely interested.  Though sometimes a little slow in places this was a unique storyline.  There are a few scenes of violence making this a novel for a mature audience, however they do reflect the time period and situation.  It is evident the author knows her genre and has a passion for it.

All in all this is a story of sacrifice, adventure, love and standing up for what you believe in.  Thank you for HFVBT for inviting me to be part of this tour, I might have missed this one.  I am not sure when the next book in series will be released, but suffice to say I look forward to reading it.

READ AN EXCERPT.

AMAZON PB | KINDLE | NOOK | CREATESPACE | ITUNES

 

Australian author, Gwendolyn Beynon, comes from a long line of storytellers of Welsh and Cornish stock. She grew up reading romance and fantasy novels but the y Ddraig series is her first foray into historical fantasy.

The idea for the y Ddraig series came while on a pilgrimage to Wales (the land of her fathers) where she was visiting holy wells and ancient yew trees. She grew captivated with the way that the ancient stories of Welsh literature, myth and history still co-existed comfortably in contemporary Cymru, and by the atmosphere of mystery that still exists around much of Wales’ natural spaces.

An Arts graduate from Curtin University (with double-majors in Film and Theatre), Gwen has worked in communications all her life. She sold her first book in 2008 and has been writing for a living with her hounds at her feet and Celtic music as a backdrop ever since.

For more information visit www.yDdraig.com.au. Follow Gwendolyn on Facebook and Goodreads.

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Monday, August 24
Review at Book Nerd
Spotlight & Excerpt at Unshelfish

Tuesday, August 25
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Wednesday, August 26
Spotlight at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, August 27
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Friday, August 28
Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing

Saturday, August 29
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Sunday, August 30
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Monday, August 31
Review at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, September 1
Review at A Bibiliotaph’s Reviews
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Wednesday, September 2
Review at Broken Teepee
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, September 3
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, September 4
Review at I’m Shelf-ish