I want to welcome Lisa Konig back to Books R Us. The second book The Cartographers Return (Book 2) is scheduled to be released 9/1/24.
About the Book:
Years have passed since the cartographer Soread
from Greenwood has left Snowcreek. Now he returns, driven by trust
towards the Lord and the Lady of Eridris and accompanied with secrets
he wishes to keep.
My Thoughts:
The second book in the series was a captivating read. Soread, the protagonist, journeyed far and wide, making maps and hiding some secrets. His return to Snowcreek after many years was a heartwarming moment, as he was accepted once again by Aeglas and his wife. To fully understand Soread's journey, I recommend reading the first book in the series. In the end, it was the unwavering support of his friends that helped Soread conquer his fears, a testament to the power of friendship. I hope Lisa continues to write more books in the future.
I want to welcome Phoebe Morgan to Books R US. Phoebe has written a new thriller called The Trip to be published on Oct 8th. Thanks for stopping by.
About the Book:
A new heart-stopping thriller from the author of The Wild Girls in which two couples go on vacation and murder ensues.
How well do you know your friends?
Four friends are on the vacation of a lifetime in Thailand. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise.
Four friends who would do anything for each other—until now.
Only one of them committed a crime.
But all four know how to keep a secret.
And they’re all guilty of something…
About the Author:
Phoebe Morgan is an author and editor. She
studied English at Leeds University after growing up in the Suffolk
countryside. She has previously worked as a journalist and now edits
crime and women’s fiction for a publishing house during the day, and
writes her own books in the evenings. She lives in London and you can
follow her on Twitter @Phoebe_A_Morgan. The Doll House is her debut
novel. It became a bestseller, topping the IBooks charts at #1 and the
Amazon charts at #35.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed the book. Four friends, Saskia, Theo, Holly, and Lucas, traveled to Thailand on an epic adventure, and trouble followed them the entire trip. The author wrote each chapter in the character's POV and tied it together to create a good thriller. Each character has a little secret that is developed in the story. Saskia had committed a crime in her past and is followed by her accomplice Caleb, who was looking to ruin her life. I thought I had predicted the ending but was wrong; twists and turns led to the ending. If you like adventure, mystery, thrillers, and new destinations, this book is for you.
I want to welcome J.D Rasch to Books R Us. J.D. is touring the blogosphere with iRead Book Tours. Mr. Rasch is the author of two fantasy novels Called the Silver Forest (Book One and Two). He has written a guest interview for my blog. Make sure that you enter the giveaway below. You may win a signed copy of both of the books. Thanks for stopping by.
Book Details:
Book Title: The Silver Forest, Book Two by J.D. Rasch Category: Adult Fiction 18 yrs +, 438 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Lamina Press Release date: July, 2024 Content Rating: PG: Brief, non-explicit scenes of battles and one brief, non-explicit sex scene
“Engrossing, spiritual, thought-provoking and unique.” — Patrick J. LoBrutto, World Fantasy Award winning editor
"A respectable and compelling novel of accomplishment and discovery that introduces engrossing concepts accompanied by a moral and ethical fiber that compliments the story’s adventure." — Midwest Book Review
Book Description:
Will the young wizard Asmar decide his own fate?
Asmar continues his quest to defeat Malzus and retrieve the powerful golden pulcher staff. Aided by a mysterious figure known only as the Wanderer, Asmar must combat the many types of influences that try to control his mind.
But Asmar is yet unconvinced of the Great Council’s true intentions when they sent him on this quest. Again, he wonders if he must follow the path created for him, or forge his own.
The Silver Forest is a literary fantasy adventure exploring magic, morality, and self-determination. Please note that Book Two is the direct continuation of Asmar’s story, and should only be read following Book One.
Book Title: The Silver Forest, Book One by J.D. Rasch Category: Adult Fiction 18 yrs +, 466 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Lamina Press Release date: May, 2024 Content Rating: PG-13: Non-explicit mentions of sex, and non-graphic battle scenes.
Book Description:
Asmar, a young and naïve wizard, is sent on an impossible quest—to stop the renegade wizard, Malzus, from finding the tree of wisdom.
The Great Council of wizards, desperate to find the golden pulcher tree, the source of all knowledge, sent nine wizards over the impassable seas to the far away land of Bracat—only to face years of frustration and failure.
Until one of their own turned against them.
Armed with a golden staff to amplify his power, the rogue wizard Malzus fled the wizards’ city of Dolcere and began a ruthless hunt for the tree.
Meanwhile, in the small, protected village of Tuland, Asmar, a misfit, is suddenly called to Dolcere. There, he learns that he is to become a wizard, tasked with stopping the death and destruction caused by Malzus.
The Great Council tasks Asmar with not only defeating Malzus but returning the golden staff to them. But Asmar doesn’t trust the wizards and their influence over him. Can he break the cycle of violence and selfishness and determine his own destiny?
J.D. RASCH is a writer, artist, social activist and author. His debut fantasy series,
The Wanderer, explores social, political and religious themes. His writing, like his painting explores the mysteries of the world and our place in the greater scheme of the universe. For many years he worked in international finance, both in developed and emerging economies. Even in his work in finance he was interested in social justice, developing ways to assess the social behavior of companies. He also serves on a number of not-for-profit boards in an attempt to make the world a better place.
1. If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
Definitely Remer. Asmar is too much of a commitment and the others are a bit too serious. I like the fact that Remer is self-effacing, and he also gets to have a love interest.
2. Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
The inspiration for my stories comes from wanting to explore questions that I have. At one point I was thinking of writing an essay on ethics, but that seemed too dry and uninteresting. Instead, I thought that I could write a fantasy novel and put my characters in different situations and think about how they would react. So, much of the inspiration for my stories comes from politics, religion, social justice, and science.
3. Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
I live with writer’s block, but I used to listen to other author’s talks and what they did to overcome it. Everyone seemed to have the same solution – write. Don’t worry if it’s any good as you can always go back later and redo it. So, if I hit a point where I don’t know what to say, I just keep writing and eventually it becomes clear. Then I go back and edit out the fluff.
4. Why do you write fantasy? If you were to write in another genre, what would it be?
I write fantasy because I think it’s the best format to explore social issues. I like the fact that I make the rules, I control the environment of the characters, and nobody can tell me that something doesn’t really exist if I got it wrong. I’ve thought of some ideas that would fit in better with SciFi and may someday pick up that story. My background is in economics and I have been fascinated by our financial system and how people believe that money actually means something and that there’s a reason why we should have such a divide between rich and poor. I find writing SciFi more daunting as it involves trying to forecast technology and you’re bound to get that wrong. So, we’ll see.
5. Can you talk about the next book in The Wanderer series?
I don’t want to talk too much about the next book as I don’t want to give away plot lines. But The Silver Forest, Book Two continues the quest Asmar and his friends are on. There are a few plot twists so I hope there will be some surprises along the way. But the book isn’t really about surprises, but rather getting readers to think about the choices they make. If I can do that through my writing I’ll consider the books successful.
I have been volunteering at an animal shelter called H.A.L.O. The shelter was started in 2006 with a mission to create a NO-Kill safe haven for abused and injured animals in Indian River County, Florida.
H.A.L.O will NEVER euthanize based on age, space, medical needs or behavioral issues. Once an animal walks through our doors, we make a pledge to provide them with care that takes care of all of their physical, emotional and medical needs until a fur-ever home is found.
I volunteer in the Vero Beach adoption center located in the Indian River Mall. The main shelter is located in Sebastian Florida. In the main shelter you can find cats, kittens, puppies, and small animals that are cared for until they find their for-ever home.
There are numerous kittens and older cats that need a loving and safe home. Let me introduce to some of the great cats and kittens that are available for adoption or fostering in the Vero Beach location. There is a retail store where you can get all of your pet supply needs. SO if you are in the area stop by and visit with the animals that need loving homes. Please donate to the shelter.
Bob is a rowdy wild child who loves to play, wrestle and that includes play bites. He is adventurous and gets into trouble at times. When I clean the cat's rooms, he is always trying to get my attention and help me in his own way.
These sweet bonded brothers are beautiful but unfortunately they are both deaf as most blue-eyed white cats are. They love to play especially with a laser pointer. Even being deaf they can get around just fine. So come on by and check them out. You will fall in love with them.
There are so many adorable kittens available for adoption. Check out the video below and you will want to take them all home with you. You will even get to see BOB in action.
H.A.L.O LOCATIONS FLORIDA
MAIN SHELTER:
Address: 710 Jackson Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 Phone: (772) 589-7297
In a stormy night, a strange elf stumbles through the doors of
Lord Aeglas' manor in Snowcreek. He is injured and it is not his love
for drawing maps that has driven him out of his home for many years.
Will he learn that he has to fight for what is dear to him or will he
continue his travels and avoid the arguments awaiting him at home?
My Thoughts:
It's nice to read a lighthearted story with characters who interact beautifully together. I especially liked the relationship between Soread and Aeglas from the first time they met during the storm. Aeglas treated him like a son and helped him recover from mental and physical ailments. Soread had some underlying feelings about his family that came out during the story. Conflict, healing, kindness, and empathy were rolled into a lovely novella that included fantasy and a great ending.
