Twenty-Two Days Until Freedom

Well, I've had a pretty long week. Between still getting over a cold that's been disappearing and reappearing over the past five-ish months, finishing up my freshman year, and, ya know, having a life, it's pretty much been like this:

COLD: "I have taken over the world!! Mwahahahaha!" 

HIGH SCHOOL: "Ooo, I want to do it, too!" 

(*high school takes over the world*) (*cold carelessly comes in second place*) 

LIFE: "Umm, what about me?" 

(*life is ignored*) (*life cries*) (*I turn in homework for the month*) (*life is happy to have at least half a day of nothing to do*)

Sooo... yeah. I'm pretty much blurry-eyed as I type this (so please excuse me if this post seems really random). (Of course, the blurry-eyed part might be from the nap I took after taking two tests, two quizzes, spending almost an hour on Rosetta Stone, and finishing season two of BBC's Robin Hood in one sitting...)

Speaking of Robin Hood -- season two. The ending. Oh, what sorrow! I thought it was the end of the entire series, at first! I need to vent, but (*sighs dramatically*) spoilers! So I've typed the venting in white (highlight the apparently empty space below with your cursor, if you happen to desire to read them). Keep scrolling for more reading, if you don't want to. :)

Guys! Marian's dead! For real, this time! But she married Robin! But she's dead! And Djaq confessed her love to Will! And Allen's back in the gang! And I cried! And back to Marian! Guy killed her! Guy! How could he? (*bursts into a fit of sobbing*) Noooo!

A few words about Marian: She was my role model! Marian was awesome! (*sobs some more*) But she's dead!! (*drowns the world in tears*)

(*sigh*) Yup...

Anywhozens, I got to participate in my first blog tour, this month!! The post went up today, for Samara's Peril, a new book in The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight! If you missed it, click here to read it.

That's all, I suppose. For now, at least. :)

<3

Blog Tour & Giveaway: SAMARA'S PERIL

Image provided by Jaye L. Knight.

About the Book

Image provided by Jaye L. Knight.

When news arrives that Emperor Daican has been in contact with his chief war strategist, it signals potential doom for the country of Samara. Determined to intervene, the resistance in Landale, headed by Lady Anne, embark on a covert mission in hopes of unearthing further information. However, a shocking discovery leads to complications no one could have foreseen.

Armed with their newfound knowledge, they set out for Samara to warn the king. War is inevitable, and they must face two desperate battles -- one on the walls of Samara’s great stronghold, and the other on the battlefield of Jace’s heart, where victory might only be achievable through great sacrifice.

Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks!

Add to Goodreads

Haven’t discovered the world of Ilyon yet? Find out more at the official Ilyon Chronicles website!

About the Author

Image provided by Jaye L. Knight.

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Etsy.

Giveaway

Image provided by Jaye L. Knight.

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Samara’s Peril, a John 3:16 necklace by FaithWearDesigns, and a green wire dragon bookmark by Wirelings! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)

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Tour Schedule

Friday, May 13

• Tour Introduction at Jaye L. Knight
• Review at Pencils Can Change the World
• Book Spotlight at Fictionally
• Review and Author Interview at Written Rest
• Review at However Improbable
• Review at Meagan Davenport
• Review and Excerpt at Gabrielle-Soli Deo Gloria

Saturday, May 14

• Author Interview and Excerpt at And Then There Were Three
• Review and Author Interview at Lakeside Publications
• Review and Author Interview at Reviews by Soleil
• Review and Author Interview at Red Lettering
• Author Interview at alivemasterpiece
• Review at Sutori no Hana
• Book Spotlight at Fishing For Ideas

Sunday, May 15

• Review and Excerpt at Melody Jackson, Author
• Book Spotlight at God's Peculiar Treasure Rae
• Review at The World Of The Writer
• Review and Author Interview at Running In His Reign
• Review and Excerpt at Inklings and Notions
• Review at My Bookcase and I

Monday, May 16

• Review at Reality Calling
• Review at Backing Books
• Review and Excerpt at Haddie's Haven
• Book Spotlight and Excerpt at Rachel Rossano's Words
• Review and Excerpt at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
• Review and Author Interview at A Heart Redeemed

Tuesday, May 17

• Review and Author Interview at Reading Anyone
• Review and Author Interview at Honey Rock Hills
• Author Interview at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
• Review at Shire Reviews
• Review and Author Interview at 26CountlessPossibilities
• Excerpt at The Overactive Imagination

Wednesday, May 18

• Review and Excerpt at Thriving Hope
• Book Spotlight at The Destiny of One
• Book Spotlight at Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
• Book Spotlight at The Writer's Window
• Review at To Be A Person
• Author Interview at Leah's Bookshelf

Thursday, May 19

• Review at A Writer's Heart
• Review and Author Interview at Scattered Journal Pages
• Review and Excerpt at Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings
• Review and Author Interview at Tricia Mingerink
• Review and Author Interview at The Book Hound
• Review at O. Scarlett! Reviews
• Author Interview at Knitted By God's Plan

Friday, May 20

• Book Spotlight at ♦ A Sapphire Chamber ♦
• Review at Leah's Bookshelf
• Review at Looking Through My Lens
• Review and Author Interview at Zerina Blossom's Books
• Review and Author Interview at The Warrior and the Writer
• Review and Author Interview at Thoughts of Anna S. Brie

Saturday, May 21

• Tour Conclusion at Jaye L. Knight

_________________

I just wanted to pop into the end of this post to say this: Wow! Does Samara's Peril not look amazing?! What a gorgeous cover, and the storyline looks so incredible!! (*screams*) (*fangirls*) Though I have yet to read The Ilyon Chronicles, I have every available book in hand/on order, and am planning to do a mass read of it, this summer!

To those who are just now hearing of The Ilyon Chronicles, let me tell you this: I have yet to encounter a review of any of the books less than four or five stars. I have heard the character development to be incredible, and the writing style out-of-this-world. So I suggest you go. Go order The Ilyon Chronicles. All of them. Order Samara's Peril, too. I highly doubt that you'll regret it.

Have a lovely day!

<3

This post was scheduled.

Book Review: WILDWOOD DANCING

Image recovered from this link.

High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

     But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom -- an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.
     When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine -- tests of trust, strength, and true love.

(Summary recovered from Goodreads.)

★★★★★

I saw this book drifting around the sites of many reviewers I admire before I actually took the time to order it from the library. And (*takes a deep breath*)... it was incredible.

Juliet Marillier offers larger-than-life characters, some who are wise, others silly and out of their minds, and others completely stupid (*glares at a certain group of antagonists*). But I feel as if none of them could match up to the expertly-written whirlwinds of personality known as Jena and her pet frog, Gogu. (*fangirls*) Seriously, don't get me started on how amazing the characters in this book are!!

And THE PLOT TWISTS!!!! OH MY STARS!! ...Guys, the plot twists in Wildwood Dancing are SO GOOD...!!!! ...I shall refrain from screaming spelling them all out to you.

As to the writing style: Wow. Just wow. Juliet Marillier steals your heart from the first sentence, and doesn't let go until the book is finished. And then you just sit there and think, What am I supposed to do with my life?

And the themes this book had to offer were so wonderful! My favourite message had to be "respect brings respect". :)

So wow. Just wow. Don't hesitate. Read it. Honestly. You won't regret it. <3

Oh, one more thing! The cover! Whenever you read something that sounds familiar, look at the cover. It's a bit like a game of "I spy" and is oh-so-much-fun (particularly because of the AWESOME PLOT TWISTS!!).

Okay. I'm done, now. :)

You may want to know: There is kissing, as well as some brief violence and immodesty. There is also a scene in which a drunken man kisses a woman against her will.

<3

This post was scheduled.