RELEASE DAY: REMNANT OF US by Makenzie Gray

 Today's the dayyyyy! 

If you hate cliffhangers and told me to stop after the cliffhanger in Eyes To See...
Well...
It just happened, I'm sorry. 

It's release day! If you've been following the Midnight Hour series, you'll want to grab a copy of Remnant of Us ASAP. The $0.99 preorder price will stay through today, and the paperbacks are live now as well! In case you're new here or just haven't seen the blurb because I'm doing a terrible job marketing, here it is: 

Following the heels of Halfway’s destruction, the survivors must fight their way to escape the Order’s grip as well as a new rebel group. Navigating the new horrors they’ve discovered, truth mixes with fiction. The dead are alive; traitors in the midst. Who can they trust now?

As the world spins closer to The End, the mission of the Unmarked must shift in order to survive. Turmoil unfolds as the world prepares for war. Allies of the Order are assassinated as Tarik Azrael ascends in power. And as the heavens pause before the final battle, the unthinkable explodes.

A story on seeing and following Adonai’s plan when we are broken beyond repair, REMNANT OF US is the fourth installment of the Midnight Hour series.

Live on Amazon HERE! 

If you've been a bit appalled by the length of the second and third books in the series, this one is substantially shorter but no less action-packed! 

Have you been reading the Midnight Hour series? What do you think of it so far?

REVIEW: BETTER WATCH OUT by Natalie Walters!

 Hey everyone! Today I've got a review for Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters! She's one of my insta-buy authors, so I'm super excited to share this with you. Check out some info on the book below.

BLURB

An accidental meet-cute, a case of mistaken identity, and a bucket-list of Christmas activities befitting a Hallmark movie make this holiday romantic adventure the perfect Christmas read.

Leave the candy canes, take the pepper spray!

Nothing screams Christmas like a week spent ice skating, visiting Santa, and sharing a kiss or two under the mistletoe. Frannie Frost has crafted the perfect bucket list of romantic activities to surprise her boyfriend in the most magical place at Christmas time—New York City. When he unexpectedly becomes her ex, her plans are derailed leaving her with a choice. Wallow in self-pity at Christmas time or take matters into her own hands.

Former NHL defenseman turned personal protection agent, Andrew Bishop, loves his job—when things go as planned—but Frannie Frost is definitely not part of the plan. Still, when her brother, the man who saved Andrew’s life last year, asks him to deliver his sister safely to the airport, he can’t say no.

The only problem? Frannie isn’t leaving. She’s determined to make the most of her trip by checking off a bucket list of cliché Christmas activities that would make even Santa’s elves jealous. Andrew’s content to let her go until he learns that Frannie’s been mistaken for his client and thrust into the midst of danger.

Better Watch Out is a sweet romantic holiday adventure that gives you all of laughs of a rom-com while adding a touch of suspense. Tropes you’re sure to love include the new girl in the city vibe, stranded at Christmas, under the mistletoe, forced proximity, and a touch of enemies to lovers. Enjoy this romantic adventure that’s sure to make your holidays merry and bright.

Buy now on Amazon

MY REVIEW

Okay, so I wasn't expecting the "meet-cute" to be quite THAT cute. Or funny. It was especially fun to see characters from the Harbored Secrets series again, and the storyline is super cute. This book has that classic Christmas Hallmark-y feel without being TOO Hallmark-y, if that makes sense. Walters does a stupendous job on detailing the Christmas wonderland Frannie explores through New York, and that thrill of Christmas wonder is just interwoven in each sentence. So sweet and fun! Just enough suspense without detracting from the sweeter rom-com side of the story, plus pacing that will keep you turning pages. I ended up staying up way too late to finish reading this one, and I think you will too! It's on my reread list for sure.

COVER REVEAL: LEON GAINS AND THE EXPEDITION TO THE VOID by Angela R. Watts!

 Hey everyone! I am ridiculously excited to share this gorgeous cover for Leon Gains and the Expedition to the Void by Angela R. Watts, the first installment in a new middle grade series heading your way soon. I can't begin to tell you how stellar, heartfelt, and heartrending this series is. I don't care if you're a middle-grade reader or not...you need to give this series a read. And grab the tissues. You'll be crying over things you didn't even think you would ever cry over. SO without further ado, a little bit about the series:

BLURB

When an Undergrounder turns 13, they must view the Above and choose to forget… or remember. Before Leon Gains can reach Decision Day, sickness reaches his peaceful village. To save his people, Leon must join Gage, a boy who claims to have survived the Above, and go to the Void: where legend says the healing light is locked away.

Thrust into a world of dark tunnels, hungry monsters, unlikely friends, and the possibility that his village has lied to him about the world as he knows it… Leon risks everything for a chance of saving his family.

But if the legends are wrong, or if Leon can’t survive the underground, his village will be lost. Can Leon unleash the light, or will he be lost to the darkness?

You can support this project on Kickstarter today -- right HERE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANGELA R. WATTS is the bestselling and award-nominated author of The Infidel Books and the Remnant Trilogy. She’s been writing stories since she was little, and has over 33 works in print. She also writes articles for a few magazines and publishers. Angela is a freelance editor, blogger, and artist. She lives in Tennessee with her family and many pets.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | AMAZON

Are you ready for the cover?

Isn't it stunning? If you want to keep up to date with the series, pledge on Kickstarter HERE and give Angela R. Watts a follow!

RELEASE DAY: BACK TO HIM, A 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL

 

I am humbled by the support I've gotten for this little devotional, and am so excited to share that it is officially out in the world! When I ordered author copies of Back To Him, I didn't order any extra aside from what I planned to give as gifts. And thanks to a couple folks I have the privilege of knowing, there's been a LOT more support than I ever expected. I don't do it for anything but God's glory and that someone might be helped, impacted, or otherwise inspired, brought closer to God. I never planned on releasing this book this year...so God gave me writer's block on my other projects until I listened to Him, wrote and revised it in a month, and have been trying to figure out how to market myself as a fiction AND nonfiction author now. It's covered in prayer, and know that if you pick up a copy, I'm praying for you specifically. Here's to giving up our burdens and growing closer to God than ever before.

If you haven't grabbed a copy yet, Kindle copies are still $0.99 through the end of today, and you can see paperback and hardcover options on Amazon as well, right HERE.

Signed Copies Available!

 

Hey everyone! November 15 is the cutoff date for signed paperbacks available for Christmas. I've adjusted and updated prices for paperbacks, including my new and upcoming releases like Back To Him and The Highlander's Victory, so make sure to check those out ASAP. I'll also be throwing in some fun surprises like custom bookmarks, maps, etc. Remember that purchasing books directly from the author is the best way to support them! 

Click HERE to check it out! Or if you want to think about prices before clicking the link, they're also listed below...

Bridge Duology
Back To Me: $11.00
Between Us: $7.00 

Bridge Duology Bundle: $15.00 

Back To Him: A Thirty Day Devotional on Giving Up Old Hurts and Relying On God: Paperback, $10.00; Hardcover $18. 

Bridge Duology Bundle PLUS Devotional paperbacks: $24.00 

Legends of Lanaria

The Lady of Lanaria: $12.00
The Healer of the Brigade: $12.00
The Highlander's Victory: $8.00

Bundle of all three books: $25.00 

Midnight Hour (Makenzie Gray)

Those With Ears: $8.00
Let Them Hear: $12.00
Eyes To See: $12.00
Remnant of Us: $10.00 

Midnight Hour Series Bundle of all four books: $28.00

Anthologies 
Where Giants Fall $12.00
Tales from the Tower - $12.00
Tell Me You Love Me - $12.00

Standalones

Faith, Hope, and Love Collection, Vol. 1: $18.00
A Dance of Rebels: Paperback, $13.00 and hardcover $15.00 

BACK TO ME: Free Oct. 14-18!

 To celebrate the release of my devotional, Back To Him, I'm running a Kindle freebie sale for Back To Me! Through October 14-18, grab a copy and if you love it, leave a review! If you've already read it, I want to challenge you to share it with one person who you think would be impacted by it. 

Click HERE to snag your copy!

And if you haven't preordered Back To Him yet, you can do so for Kindle, paperback, and hardcover HERE! Kindle copies are only $0.99 through release day.

#charactober challenge, week two!

  Hey everyone! So Camille Caliman is running a challenge through the month of October called #charactober--check it out on her Instagram HERE or her blog HERE. If you're an author, join in on the fun and gush about your characters! I'm working through the second week's prompts. So without further ado!

Day 11: Crisp Nights: In one of my WIPs that I'll be working on for 2024 (you can't meet them yet. They're nameless. Literally. I'm plotting on vibes and meet-cutes at this point.) Anyway, one of my WIPs features a cross-country driving trip that ends abruptly in the fall. Crisp nights, campfires, and woodsmoke will probably be in a number of scenes. And twinkle-lights, because I can. And who doesn't love looking up at the bright, sharp stars on a crisp fall night with the smell of autumn leaves and the chill invigorating your lungs? 

Day 13, Warm Soup: And yet another WIP, featuring characters you've met before (Gabe & Eva) in a situation you haven't seen yet--what's more comforting than a warm bowl of soup? Chicken and rice, anyone? Of course, the situation they're in won't be fixed by soup...*slow smirk*...but comfort food is a start, right? 

Day 15 (HOW are we halfway through October already?!?!), Warm Blankets: I can't remember if a blanket is given to Bridget in the breakdown scene in Back To Me, but if I didn't, I should revise it. Because she needed a warm blanket. But really, her friends loving on her and supporting her through the peak of her struggle is the same if not better, right? It was one of my favorite scenes to write. Have you read it yet?

And have you joined the #charactober challenge yet? If you haven't, I challenge you to do so ASAP!

INDIE AUTHORS WANTED: Black Friday Sales, 2023!

 

SO: I want to do something fun to share Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales for fellow indie authors. I'll be sharing mine, so why not share yours too? Check out the deets below and follow the link to let me know what you'll have on sale! 

Genres I'm going to share:

*Fantasy
-subgenre, nonmagical fantasy and gritty fantasy

*Contemporary

*Nonfiction

*Thriller

*Dystopian

*Sci-Fi

*Romance

*Poetry

*Young Adult

*Middle Grade

*Anthologies

If you plan to have your Kindle books on sale or free during Black Friday/Cyber Monday this year, you'll fit right in! Click HERE to let me know what you'll have on sale! Deadline is Nov. 1, and I'll share the master list right here on November 20th, the Monday before Black Friday. 

REVIEW: THE LIBRARIAN'S RUSE by Thirzah!

 Hey everyone! Today I'm excited to share my review of a debut fantasy novel by new author, Thirzah! This one really caught me by surprise, and it was fun to read. Check out some info below!

AUTHOR

Thirzah was born in the Netherlands, but grew up in Southern Maryland. In her spare time (what’s that?), Thirzah enjoys hanging out with other writers, creating jewelry, and making fantasy maps. As the managing editor of The Pearl (pearlmag.co), Thirzah has worked with many writers to help them improve their work. Learn more about Thirzah and connect with her on her website, ThirzahWrites.com, and find her on Instagram @thirzahwrites

BLURB

ONE MISTAKE. TWO EMPIRES. COUNTLESS SECRETS.

Amelia’s peaceful life as a librarian is cut short when she and her older brother Leon are sent on an errand to Eldnaire, the capital city of the vicious Vilnarian Empire. After witnessing a crime carried out in the woods, Amelia and Leon enter the capital only to be faced with an impossible choice: tell the truth and risk imprisonment, or lie and face far worse if they’re caught.

One deception leads to a dozen more, and before she can put an end to the lies, she and Leon are swept up into Vilnaria’s high society. Amelia finds an unlikely ally in Vilnaria’s handsome new ruler, Emperor Kyvir. But as the secrets and scandals continue to pile up and danger closes in on all sides, Amelia must decide once and for all what matters more: the truth...or her life?

AMAZON | GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

Okay, WOW. I was really caught by surprise with this book, and totally wish it had been longer (I'm rooting for the rest of the series). The characters are dynamic, realistic, and you immediately want to root for them. The worldbuilding is pretty good, balancing the historical with a soft undertone of fantasy that makes it quite whimsical. And of course, the sibling dynamic is undoubtedly real! This is a real cross between the gentler fairytales like Cinderella and grittier worlds full of mercenaries and deception, which was executed very, very well. There's almost a Shakespeare vibe going on, too, which I really enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a quick fantasy read, but I must warn you: you'll hit the end of the book too soon, double-check that you really just finished it, and then be stuck waiting for book two.  And if you enjoy romance, there's just a smidge that is perfect for the story. Definitely an easy 5/5 from me, and a stellar debut. 

Oct. 7: Free on Kindle!

 

Tomorrow, Oct. 7, I'll be running a one-day freebie sale on Eyes To See, book 3 in the Midnight Hour series! If you're hoping to catch up with the series before Remnant of Us releases Oct. 31, now's your chance to snag this chonk of a book for free! 

Click HERE to grab a copy. 

If you've already read Eyes To See, make sure to preorder your copy of Remnant of Us for $0.99 HERE!

#Charactober Challenge by Camille Caliman!

 Hey everyone! So Camille Caliman is running a challenge through the month of October called #charactober--check it out on her Instagram HERE or her blog HERE. If you're an author, join in on the fun and gush about your characters! I'm running a bit behind (this week's been crazy) but I still wanted to join in on the fun. So without further ado!

Day 3: Cardigans

Okay, so I just recently realized how many of my characters wear cardigans. Lucy does in the Faith, Hope, and Love: Vol. 1 collection--they're a mainstay to her wardrobe, along with whimsical prints and pastels, dresses and flowy things. And Bridget is frequently depicted wearing a cardigan or oversized chunky sweater in Back To Me, a choice that you may notice lessens as her healing progresses. She still loves her cardigans, though. ;) I'm pretty sure Jo does in the Mount Sterling series, although I haven't visited that series in a lo o o n g time. 

Day 4: Fall Foliage

Hmmm. I'm hoping to write a few contemporaries that feature fall foliage, but I haven't gotten there yet. I adore the crisp smell of falling leaves, the colors, and everything. I recently got to take a trip up to my alma mater during the annual Autumn Leaf Festival to watch a fiddle contest and took some shots of the leaves just starting to turn; the promise of seasons changing. Always something I love to mull over! 

Day 5: Witches

So I haven't written any witches heavily, but my Legends of Lanaria series does touch on dark magic/people claiming to be witches. You'll meet Amaranth Argent in The Lady of Lanaria, a woman full of deception. The impact of her actions ripple through the series. How? Well, you'll have to wait and see. Book 3, The Highlander's Victory, is on preorder and we'll start getting into the nitty-gritty in Book 4 next year! 

Keep up with the challenge with this graphic by Camille Caliman!