21 January 2025

Title: Fae-ry Tales by Mychael Black Cover Art: Bryan Keller New Release Blitz!

 

 

Title: Fae-ry Tales

Author: Mychael Black

Cover Art: Bryan Keller

Genres

 Action Adventure, Box Sets, Dark Fantasy, New Releases, 

Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

Themes

Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures, Gay, Magic, 

Sorcery, and Witchcraft, Werewolves & Wolf Shifters

Series: Fae-ry Tales (#5)

Book Length: Box Set

Page Count: 174

Warning: Language

Description

Firewalk With Me (Fae-ry Tales 1)

Kyle Stafford had anything a young man could want, until a single lapse in judgment changed everything. When Roen stumbles -- quite literally -- into a human sleeping right at his realm’s front door, his duty requires him to take the young man prisoner -- back to House Vakeor.

Broken Spell (Fae-ry Tales 2)
Kirof, formerly of House Vakeor, has no idea why Wizard Micah Norwood was exiled, but it’s only a matter of time before the wizards or the Dark Fae find them. Desperately trying to keep one step ahead of their pursuers, Kirof finds himself caring far more for Micah than he should.

Glamour (Fae-ry Tales 3)
Prince Erilan always performs his duties with unflinching loyalty, but when he meets a Dark Fae scout, his sense of duty wars with his unholy desire for the enigmatic Fae. Lyren of House Kehru prefers covertly spying from the shadows to jumping into forays on the frontlines. What he doesn’t count on is the insanely gorgeous Light Fae who nearly takes his head off with a sword.

Dawning (Fae-ry Tales 4)
Arulas is a wolf shapeshifter who lives alone in a cabin deep in the woods. His life is perfect -- until he finds the half-dead Dark Fae in the middle of nowhere. He nurses Ren back to health, only to find himself square in the middle of a damn war.

Fae-ry Tales
Mychael Black
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Mychael Black
Excerpt from Firewalk With Me

Fuck.

Kyle Stafford huddled under the tattered awning of a decrepit old general store. Rain pounded the dirt, turning it into a lovely mass of mud. Kyle sighed. He couldn't stay here. He needed sleep -- desperately. The city shelters were too far away, and, honestly, he had no desire to go to any of them. The shelters were always overcrowded and stank of piss, body odor, and only God knew what else. No, he needed somewhere out here, a cave maybe.

The mountains loomed in front and behind him. Surely, he could find a small nook to take refuge in, at least until the rain stopped. He shivered and pulled his battered coat tighter around him. The poor thing was threadbare, but it still kept him reasonably warm. His stomach growled, and he glanced over his shoulder at the abandoned store. Nothing perishable, but maybe a can or two of something? He looked around, then picked up a broken piece of wood and finished busting an already half-broken window. Then he cautiously climbed in, wood still in hand. No telling what else decided to check out the place.

The inside seemed to have weathered time far better than the exterior. Most of the shelves, while empty, still stood in place. Judging by the various product signs hanging on the walls, the store wasn't quite as old as the outside appeared. Thankfully, no creatures -- animal or human -- jumped out at him. Kyle scanned the aisles, but the place had been picked bare. He exited the same way he entered and figured his best bet stood straight ahead.

By the time he slogged through the rain and muck, he swore even his bones were utterly drenched. He ignored the cold ache sweeping up from his waterlogged feet and made his way to what appeared to be a small cave opening. 

It wasn't big, but it was dry. Wood in hand, he explored it to the back, satisfied nothing else called it home. It wasn't warm by any means, and even starting a fire the primitive way would be futile with the rain soaking every bit of wood outside.

Kyle found a relatively smooth spot and lay down. Hunger gnawed at him, but he could deal with that later. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to sleep. On his side, pillowing his head on his arm, he closed his eyes, feeling safer than he had in a long time.

* * *

The ward protecting the portal hadn't been touched. Roen inspected every inch of the shimmering haze, but found nothing amiss. He lifted his left hand and focused on the ward. The barrier vanished, leaving only the bare rock wall.

Roen unfastened a small pouch on his belt and sprinkled a tiny bit of dust into his palm. Then he blew on it, toward the wall. The stone shuddered and slid open slowly. Most people called them portals, but they were more like gateways. Granted, only magick could open one and dismantle the ward.

Roen retied the pouch and stepped into the dark of the outer cave. He immediately stumbled over something large. Within seconds, he had an arrow nocked and ready to fire. Eyes narrowing, he prodded the lump with one boot. The shape grumbled, unintelligible but definitely not an animal. Human then?

"Get up," Roen ordered loud enough that his voice echoed in the small cave.

The man on the floor rolled and scooted backward until he hit the opposite wall. Alert but weary eyes stared at Roen from under a tangle of dark hair. Even in the darkness, the man's eyes seemed to shine, as if lit from within.

"Who are you?" Roen asked. "What are you doing here?"

Purchase at Changeling Press


Mychael Black has been writing professionally since 2005. He writes gay romance and erotica, but also het romance as Carys Seraphine and queer fantasy as Katherine Cook. 

He's an avid PC gamer with a love for RPGs, a horror fanatic, and a fantasy nut. He also has a weakness for anything relating to skulls, dogs, and Spongebob Squarepants. 

 Mychael lives on the Eastern Shore of the US with his family. He loves to hear from readers, be it via email or Facebook.

Website | Facebook

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a $10.00 
Changeling Press Gift Code! 


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Not For the Faint of Heart Madcap Adventures Book 1 by Rene Vecka Book Tour! #NotForTheFaintOfHeart #MadcapAdventures @czechveck @SilverDaggerBookTours

 What would you do to free the love of 
your life from prison?

 

Not For the Faint of Heart

Madcap Adventures Book 1

by Rene Vecka

Genre: Epic Fantasy Mystery Romance Adventure 

What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?

Magic and mayhem meet mystery and humor in a four-way rumble. Romance gets a few licks in as well. Set in a post-Ragnarok world with dual protagonists. If you loved the Dresden Files, you'll love Madcap Adventures.

As Rory proposes to Ingefær, the Shrine they're visiting is set ablaze. Ingefær is jailed and threatened with hanging. Rory investigates, but is hounded at every step by soldiers. While Ingefær searches for ways to defeat the jail's magic wards, the Shrine's healer vanishes in a puff of smoke.

Will the couple get the chance to solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law postpones their nuptials forever?

Kirkus Reviews...In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged trial...Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery narrative...A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Excerpt from Chapter 3—The Interrogation.

The alvae sergeant guided me to one of two green cushioned chairs, hands still tied. I sat.

Smergasil placed a cheek on the corner of his desk while the sergeant came around to sit behind it. Parchment was brought forth, and the sergeant found a quill.

The green-skinned lieutenant spoke in Realm’s Tongue. “What is your name?”

“Ingefær vod Renku.”

“Place of residence?”

That proved difficult. I hadn’t lived in one place for almost a year. Rory and I, once we were married, planned to call Slangeh Buktah home—well, his parents’ farm some three days’ ride north of the human city.

“Place of residence? Why is this difficult for you?”

“Rory and I intend to live near Slangeh Buktah. But right now, we are without a home. My last fixed residences were Rohd Mina and Hjulstadt. I guarded a supply wagon that traveled between those two cities.”

“How long ago?”

“A year.”

Smergasil narrowed his eyes. “That is quite a long time to be without a home.”

I shrugged. “We traveled. All over the Realm.”

And had we. From Hjulstadt to Asken de Gulles to Himmel Drakken to Soolv Spyda, then north across the Dreki Mountains in the heart of winter to Kral Fal Is, Kobber Unter Smuss, and Kral Bar Aggen. I smiled, “I’ve been to Is Vann.”

Smergasil pshaw’d. “Lying exacerbates your circumstances.”

How much worse could it get? I lifted my chin high. “I don’t lie. You’ll see. Rory will tell you the same thing.”

That took a little green off his face.

Smergasil pointed. “Search her.”

Uh-oh. Two males pawing me. I didn’t like the sound of that. Good thing Rory wasn’t here.

The lieutenant’s lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. “Resisting an officer in the line of duty is punishable by up to ten years in the swamps. If the officer is wounded in the process, the death penalty may be invoked.”

My breathing quickened. Without my hands, I couldn’t cast a spell.

The sergeant worked quickly, yet efficiently. The knife in my boot was the first item. Then he unbuttoned my green tunic and pulled free my mage belt, setting it on the lieutenant’s desk. I must say, he had patted me down with care and consideration.

Smergasil took the mage belt and opened the pouches. When he came to the sawdust—an ingredient in summoning a fireball—he looked up at me and smiled.

Yeah. I was in trouble.

From underneath my green frock, the sergeant pulled out a coin sack inside a hidden pocket and two folded up parchments I had placed between my frock and chemise. I didn’t think he had felt the paper. Maybe he’d heard it crinkling.

The sergeant rifled through the coin bag. He whistled and said something in Alvaesh.

I had a combined purse of a thousand silver coins, nine hundred of which came in the form of forty-five gold coins, which were rare. Somehow, my wealth made my situation worse.

The lieutenant stared down his nose at me. “That is quite a lot of money for someone who doesn’t have a place to call home.”

“We did very well at Is Vann. And had a bit of luck inside a necromancer’s tomb.” I smiled at his rolled eyes.

He snapped his fingers, and the sergeant handed over the folded-up parchments. Smergasil read the first and his thin lips spread into a wide grin. “A letter of credit for four thousand more silver? Which jarls did you rob?”

“Earned every single coin,” I said, jutting my jaw forward. “Rory’s the best swordsman in the Realm.”

“Hmph.” Smergasil threw the letter of credit toward the sergeant, whose green eyes were as big as marbles. The lieutenant read the second letter, which I knew to be a decree from Foremost Aerica of the Tyrrell Order granting Rory and me the right to pursue criminals wherever the Warriors for Justice had an agreement in place.

Of all the luck. Vanaby wasn’t one of them.

“Rory and I are bounty hunters.”

“Good cover for thieves, don’t you think?” Smergasil threw the parchment at the sergeant and stood. “A forgery. Why did you burn the Shrine?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t.”

“Yet you’re a thaumaturge.”

“Technically, I’m a battle wizard, not a thaumaturge. I can wield both air and fire from the elemental planes by the same name, as well as summon power from the Aether plane, which comes in handy for utilitarian incantations like find or dispel magic.”

He covered a yawn. “No matter. You burned the Shrine. Why?”

“I didn’t.”

The inane conversation devolved from there. I met his unfounded accusations with strident denials. We went round and round for a dozen minutes.

“Lieutenant,” I said. “I can do this all day. The decree before you clearly informs anyone with reading comprehension that Rory and I are on the side of good…the same side as you.”

“Cover.”

Obstinance in the face of facts could only be maintained by a dimwit. I shifted tactics and mimicked his earlier one. I yawned. He peppered questions at me, demanding I confess. I slouched in my chair and pretended to nod off.

I risked a beating for my insolence, but I wasn’t going to argue banalities and innuendo. Not with someone who had already made up their mind.

“Take her to holding,” Smergasil said.


I've been a reader of fantasy and science fiction since I was ten. Lord of the Rings is still my favorite. I now read Butcher (Dresden) and Salvatore (Drizzt), as well at Sanderson and others. The Mid Dreki Realm got its start with a comment with my then fifteen year old son. That kernel grew into a book, which split into two, and is now a five book series. I retired at 57 and began the process of becoming a writer. I've attended a half dozen conferences, read numerous books on the art of writing, joined critique groups, and immersed myself in the craft. I'm a member of Apex, a group founded by David Farland (Runelord).

I live in the foothills between Colorado Springs and Denver with my wife. Deer, turkeys, bear, coyotes, and my three children and 2 grandchildren occasionally drop by.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram 

* Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

#epicfantasy #fantasybooks #fantasylovers #romantasy #romancebooks #fantasyromance #mysterybooks #paranormalromance #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead #Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$30 Amazon giftcard,

Signed Paperback of Not For The Faint of Heart

-1 winner each! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


20 January 2025

The Vision of the Quest by Kimberly Cole Virtual Book Tour!

Alicia, Roger and Emily must unite against the forces of a warlord intent on destroying anyone who stands in his way.

 

 

Title: The Vision of the Quest

Author: Kimberly Cole

Pages: 326

Genre: Fantasy

Liana, a widowed mother of Alicia and Emily, is in a desperate situation. After her car breaks down on a desolate road, she feels lucky to have her daughter’s friend Roger with them. As they begin a trek to seek help, Liana has no idea that she, her daughters, and Roger are all about to embark on the adventure of their lives. 

After the group finally reaches the vast doors of a mansion in the middle of nowhere, they are greeted by an eerie butler, who leads them to Sir Bronze Pierce, the master of the mansion who soon captivates Liana with his charming personality. Roger and the rest of the group are slowly drawn, one-by-one, through a portal into a different time, where they are soon thrust into a battle with a wicked warlord whose ultimate goal is complete domination.

 It is up to Alicia, Roger, and Emily to bring back harmony and peace to these strange kingdoms. As the three young people seek the help of the king’s court — a loyal Griffin, a powerhouse rock man, and other valiant warriors– they must unite against the forces of a warlord intent on destroying anyone who stands in his way.

Praise:

“During the late hours of the night, Roger woke up abruptly. He thought he was dreaming; an evil presence drew him out of his bed and into the hallway. He walked through all kinds of twists and turns and stopped suddenly in front of a door needing a repainting…In the center was a narrow slide with a small opening. ‘Look and see! Look and see!’ the voices called him out and urged him on. 

Bit-by-bit, Roger looked into the slot…” So begins a suspenseful, page-turning, dark fantasy read in the spirit of work like Terry Brooks, Stephen King, Gary Dauberman, and even the author’s literary inspiration, C.S. Lewis, who shares the author’s faith.

What Kimberly Cole does not have in terms of out-and-out, one hundred percent originality, she more than makes up for in terms of overall ideological presentation, characterization, and rich, immersive worldbuilding. You really feel like you’re experiencing a fast-paced fever dream if you delve into the text. 

There really is this sense of total, emotive immersion in the stakes at play, likely coming from the decidedly personal origins of the work. Cole herself clearly has decided to make this her passion project. The choices feel as much informed by superb storytelling technique, as they do by Cole’s unique vision. Cole herself states the following: “(The Vision of the Quest) was a test for me to write. 

At times, I struggled to tell my story…pushing on always, faith pulled me through to my goal. This book is special to me because I was talking with my husband sharing how I would love to write a book like Narnia with three children…The next morning my daughter, Meghan, had awoken from her sleep. She came to me excited saying, ‘Mom, I had an awesome dream with three children and their mother stranded on a dark road. I came to a mansion and knocked on a door when a butler answered’. 

She said there was an evil man named Sir Bronze Pierce and then I had taken the story from there. I could not have completed this book first without God’s help and my husband’s support.”

Indeed, Sir Bronze Pierce is one of the juiciest dark fantasy villains to grace the pages of a work like this in some time. He has this kind of dramatic, old-fashioned menace that at once retains a good sense of fun, while not shying away from what the narrative needs to be.

 I’m a big fan of a good, scary villain to raise the stakes for our heroes and heroines, and Sir Bronze Pierce is no exception to this. Again, this kind of quality likely comes from the work being intensely personal for Cole. Core aspects of the narrative are inspired by Cole’s daughter’s dreams, which adds a poetic and innocent quality to even the darker aspects of the story, and necessarily menacing scenes.

 The Christian element is also intriguing. More often than not, popular genre work with Christian themes tends to lean into distinctly paranormal, if not paranormal horror stories. Seeing something appealing to a wide audience with Christian themes is compelling, and a bit different from the usual, pantheistic nature of fantasy. — Cyrus Rhodes

The Vision of the Quest is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Ewings Publishing LLC.

 

Book Excerpt

Melanie ran out of matches. She could no longer stand beside Liana but behind her. She realized the tunnel was growing smaller when her hand hit the wall. She felt the cold, hard rock. 

The young girl yelled out in absolute fear, “We’re going to die in here!” Frightened, she threw her arms around the back of Liana’s curvy waist things looked hopeless. 

Liana had her doubts and wondered whether they would make it out of there. She whispered in fear. “What would become of my children” ?  Her hopes were beginning to diminish.

Quantum heard in Liana’s voice disappointment. He unflinchingly said out loud, “My lady, go with the encouraging Spirit that’s deep inside your soul. I discovered the day you entered Congo’s land I sensed a power within you that I do not quite understand. I do know this unlimited power you possess can overcome any fear that tries to lay hold of your conscience. 

Lift it up! Believe in this strength that lives within your being. There is nothing that can stop you, not even fear itself. This is your time! Grasp it and lead us to safety.

– Excerpted from The Vision of the Quest by Kimberly Cole, Ewings Publishing, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author
 

Kimberly Cole was born in Baltimore and raised in Millersville, Maryland. She grew up in a very small home with six brothers and sisters. This was the beginning of where the fuse was lit with great expectations of creating stories to be read throughout the world. 

She completed high school at Old Mill High. Her hobbies are writing novels and reading good books. She finds it an enjoyment to help others by giving to charities, because they go to places she cannot be and charities impact lives which she may never get to see.  

Ms. Cole’s favorite authors are C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) and Frank Peretti (Piercing the Darkness). 

Website & Social Media:

Website www.kcstories4life.com

X https://x.com/TEPKimberlyCole

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564976310953



Sponsored By:

Greek Retreat Trilogy Triple Cover Reveal by Stephanie Wood!


 Adorable April Afternoons

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL8X95M

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Publication Date: 22nd May 2025

Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.

The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.

Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Publication Date: 20th March 2025

Joyful June Journeys


Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL8X95M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL8X95M

Publication Date: 22nd May 2025

Adorable April Afternoons

Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.

The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.

Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links


Publication Date: 20th March 2025


Joyful June Journeys

Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL9T6VH

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL9T6VH 

Publication Date: 22nd May 2025


Sweet September Surprises


Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL3R8BP

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL3R8BP 

Publication Date: 21st August 2025

Katie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to give herself some space to recover from an unexpected predicament. She blames herself for the situation she finds herself in and knows that something has to change, although she has no idea what she is looking for.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.


Stephanie writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and her books explore a wide range of life’s challenges, dreams and responsibilities. The stories are all character based, so she has fun expressing each unique personality and the reasons behind their actions in a setting which always has a strong sense of community.


She published the AEGEAN SUN series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, the CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and the GREEK RETREAT trilogy is planned for publication in 2025.


Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours.


Social Media Links  

Personal Twitter / X

https://x.com/stephaniewooduk 

Author Twitter / X

https://x.com/StephanieWoodGR

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StephanieWoodAuthor/ 

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/stephaniewood.bsky.social 






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