ARC Review: Urban Gothic by Stephen Coghlan

This is a novel by Canadian author Stephen Coghlan and is published by Kyanite Publishing. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this fantastical story. This title will be available on March 8, 2019, and is currently available for pre-order.

Find out more about this story and where to purchase this novel here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/urban-gothic/

I’ll be honest with you, what first caught my attention with Urban Gothic was the incredible cover. I mean, look at that incredible cover by the talented Sophia LeRoux. It's no wonder it caught my attention and because of that, before I even read the blurb, I wanted to read this story. In fact, I totally forgot to read the back cover blurb before I read the story. I read it afterwards. I had no idea what story I was about to read, let alone what genre it was.

From the first line, this story drew me in. I was intrigued by Alec as Stephen painted a picture of his world that was wrought with pain and blood. A world that made me feel for Alec, that made me want to see something better for him.

I’ve mentioned it before, but I love strong character-driven stories. Stephen’s story is exactly that. A beautiful, heartfelt strongly character-driven story in the most wonderfully magical and fantastical world of dreams that he created. I couldn’t get enough as I raced through this story in a single sitting. I even let my coffee grow cold because I didn’t want to put the story down.

Each character he created was unique and real. It was clear the care he put into developing not just the world, but each of the characters – human or otherwise – that the reader encounters in the story. Their interactions drove the plot forward to what I think most will agree is a satisfying conclusion.

Let’s not neglect to mention the dreamscape that is as real as the characters the dwell within. Stephen’s talent for creating a vivid dream world and fantastic imagery will not go unnoticed by any reader. It’s the finishing touch, icing on an incredible story that will capture your imagination and make you think twice about those errant daydreams you create.

As for me, Stephen already knows my one critique of his story and he knew the controversy it could cause to those who live north of the 49^th parallel. Be warned, my fellow Canadians, that Alec LeGuerrier is from Montréal and that means he is a Habs fan, but even if you’re a Leafs fan, I can guarantee that you will find yourself cheering for Alec anyway.

You can learn more about Stephen Coghlan on his website at http://scoghlan.com/ or you can follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WordsBySC

Review: Warriors of Understone by B.K. Bass

This is a novella by B.K. Bass and published by Kyanite Publishing. I had the privilege of being able to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this engaging story. This title will be available from multiple retailers today. Find out more about this story and where to purchase this story here: https://kyanitepublishing.com/product/warriors-of-understone/

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this story when I got it. The previous work I’ve read and enjoyed by B.K. Bass, Night Shift, was set in a strikingly different futuristic world. As much as I love fantasy and hold it dear, my tastes in reading tend more towards contemporary and science fiction. I’ve always been picky when it comes to high fantasy and it takes two things to make me fall fully in love with a high-fantasy story:  a richly developed world and intriguing characters that drive the plot forward.

Warriors of Understone does not fail to deliver on either of these aspects in great quantity.

I was enthralled by the world that B.K. Bass created in this novella. From the history of this dwarven world to the intricate rules of the society within, B.K. created a delightfully rich and wonderful world in which to set this story. Every mention made of this world is expertly woven into the story. Though slowly revealed, you are never left “in the dust” about anything.

I really could go on about the beautifully wrought tapestry that not only provides a stunning background to an already good story but is a large part of this tale itself. I cannot say enough about the world building skills displayed here nor how expertly B.K. Bass is at painting a picture for the reader with few words. It makes me want to know more, past this story, because this is a world that I could easily lose myself in.  Although I shouldn’t be left wanting in this regard since Warriors of Understone is the first of a series.

Of course, no matter beautiful and expertly wrought any world is, the plot and characters must equally reflect such attention. I found characters here that were beautifully developed and made real. B.K. created a sympathetic protagonist right from the start. He made you not only understand what was at stake but why you should even care in a very short amount of time. But he doesn’t leave it there, as the story develops in this wonderfully character-driven plotline, you learn that what is at stake is more than you ever imagined.

In the end, you’re not disappointed as B.K. Bass brought the story to a wonderful conclusion.

My biggest critique? I wanted more. I wish it wasn’t a novella so that I could have stayed in that world and with those characters longer than I did. Unfortunately, I will have to wait for the next book in this series to be able to dive back in.

Find out more about B.K. Bass and his work on his website at https://bkbass.com/ or follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/B_K_Bass.

Review: Birth of Magic by Carol Beth Anderson

Birth of Magic by Carol Beth Anderson is a self-published novella that can be purchased found for Kindle or in paperback on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N6PLN33/

Beth is one of many authors that I admire thought this is my first time reading more than her incredible microfiction on Twitter. Her Sun-Blessed Trilogy has been on my to-be-read list for a while because, unfortunately, I have less time to read than I would like. When her novella came out, I jumped at the chance to dive into the rich, fantastical world of magic that I`d only heard about from others.

I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed. 

In ‘Birth of Magic’, she creates a strong emotional tale that draws you into the world she has created. Her protagonist, Kari, is compelling and relatable. Her journey of self-discovery is an emotionally hard read at times but enthralling all the same. Beth paints a vivid world with creative description that, as a writer myself, I can only envy.

This novella packs a big story that leaves the reader satisfied in the end, but still wanting to know more about the world and people she has created. Though reading the Sun-Blessed trilogy isn’t necessary to understand and loving this novella, you’ll want to read it when you’re done.

I highly recommend picking up this wonderful novella and checking out Carol Beth Anderson’s other work.

You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CBethAnderson or check out our website to find more of her at http://carolbethanderson.com

New Cover Design - Road to Redemption

I am going to be honest with you. This is the third time I've redesigned the cover for my first book. It's not because I've become better at graphic are or anything like that. Nothing so wonderful, but I've have come to understand what makes for a good cover for a novel.

That, and when I published my first book, I wasn't thinking in terms of a series. I knew it was going to be a series of novels. Perhaps even a compilation of short stories based in the city of La Port. Saints & Sinners was always going to be a series of novels.

It wasn't until recently that I realized I wanted to create a certain aesthetic for the covers of these novels. It was time to bring Road to Redemption into the modern age and have it fit my image for this series.

I hope you all love and enjoy the new cover design for this novel.

And, in case you were wondering, the third novel in the Saints & Sinners series is currently scheduled to be ready for release in early-ish 2020. I have started it. There is a cover that I will reveal when I am ready to and the tentative working title is 'Shard of Shadows'.