DECEIVED Blog Tour: Welcome + Book Spotlight

Welcome to the first day of DECEIVED’s blog tour! I am so excited for you to learn more about my debut novel and to introduce this story to the world. DECEIVED releases tomorrow.

At the bottom of this post, you will find giveaway information and the blog tour schedule. Be sure to stop by each blog!

To start off the fun, take this “Which DECEIVED Character are You?” quiz and let me know who you scored!

SPOTLIGHT:

ABOUT:

Genre:

New Adult Christian Allegorical Fantasy

Blurb:

In a land built upon lies and deception, uncovering the truth can be deadly.

Therese Westa is sick of death, but taking lives is what provides for her younger sisters. When a client approaches her with an unusual request, Therese takes the job offer, which includes the condition of “no questions asked”. As Therese uncovers the reason for the request, she is faced with a choice: kill an innocent man or save her sisters.

Therese’s hesitation to carry out the assassination thrusts her into the aftermath of a dangerous chain of events. Caught between security and truth, Therese must choose where her loyalties lie, for the answer will determine who survives.

Find:

AMAZON

Paperback and Barnes and Noble links coming soon!

Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.

Want to connect? Find her social media links here

PREORDER INFORMATION

If you have preordered DECEIVED or order it during the duration of this blog tour (April 25 – May 7), and want some swag (character card and autographed bookplate), go here.

Giveaway Information:

Want a chance to win an autographed copy of DECEIVED and a character card? Be sure to go here. Or, if you don’t have social media, leave a comment at every blog post to be entered. Giveaway ends May 10th. (PDF will be sent to international entrants).

DECEIVED BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

Monday, April 25

Madisyn Carlin | Intro + Book Spotlight

Joy Woodbury | Book Review

Tuesday, April 26

Madisyn Carlin | Release Day! + Fun Facts

Vanessa Hall | Author Interview

Autumn | Book Spotlight

Wednesday, April 27

Esther | Book Review

Saraina | Character Interview: Therese

Joy Woodbury | Guest Post

Thursday, April 28

Madisyn Carlin | Group Interview

Kristina Hall | Book Review

Friday, April 29

Vanessa Hall | Book Spotlight

Olivia | Book Review

Sherrice | Author Interview

Saturday, April 30

Madisyn Carlin | Character Spotlight: Holder

Stephanie | Character Spotlight: Rogan

Sherrice | Book Review

Olive Creed | Book Spotlight

Monday, May 2

Vanessa Hall | Book Review

Grace Johnson | Guest Post + Book Spotlight

Stephanie | Book Spotlight + Character Spotlight: Ivelle

Tuesday, May 3

Madisyn Carlin | Meet the Characters

Stephanie | Book Review

Wednesday, May 4

Grace Johnson | Author Interview

Saraina | Character Interview: Rogan

Thursday, May 5

Madisyn Carlin | Character Q+A

Issabelle Perry | Character Spotlight: Therese

Friday, May 6

Grace Johnson | Book Review

Autumn – Author Interview

Jenavieve Rose | Book Review

Saturday, May 7

Madisyn Carlin | Blog Tour Wrap-Up

Olive Creed | Author Interview

Katja Labonte | Book Review

Saraina | Author Interview

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Broken Crown Spotlight + Author Interview with Olive M. Creed

Today is the release date for Broken Crown by Olive M. Creed. In celebration, I am featuring a spotlight of Broken Crown and a fun interview with Olive.

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Broken Crown

Series: Chronicles of Elyndia, book #2

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Content Information:

Overall rating: PG-13 for some violence and death.

Language: it is mentioned that some characters curse, and there are a few made up curses that are written. Such as ‘misake’ ‘anoro’, words in a fictional language.

Sexual Content: absolutely none

Violence: there are a few character deaths. And, while they are descriptive, I have done my best to keep it as least gory as possible. My twelve-year-old sibling has read them with no problem, though we have grown up on a farm and are used to seeing death and ‘gore’, LOL.

Other/possible triggers: a village is destroyed and there are mentions of people burned to death. Mentions of slavery.

Tagline:

Nobody is safe forever.

Blurb:

The last thing Torrin wants is to ask pirates. But when tragedy strikes the Anathemans, he has no choice but to go to the people who are more likely to kill him than help.

Cyprian struggles to balance being a Shadow for one king, and a spy for another. He doesn’t know how long he can keep up the facade. One thing is clear, though: he can’t slip up.

Amazon

You can learn more about Olive by visiting her social media sites.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What is your favorite genre to read?

Non-magical fantasy. I know it’s a bit of a weird thing, but I’m not a huge fan of magic. It’s a little hard to find, but it’s worth it, to me! I’m also sort of getting into dystopian and steampunk!

Words of wisdom for those who are just starting out on the writing path?

If you don’t receive encouragement from someone, do not take their criticism. And don’t be too upset if your family doesn’t understand/support writing. A lot of people don’t know how to take it, honestly. Find a group of writers you trust. Writer friends are the best!

What is your least favorite part of the writing process?

Um, I’m gonna say the actual spelling part of it? I’m dyslexic, and I cannot tell you how much I misspell words! (I’m relying heavily on spell-checker right now!) Aside from that, probably marketing. It’s so awkward!

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Editing, hands down. When the bare-bones is already laid out, and it’s time to start piecing everything together. That’s my favorite!

Do you focus on one project at a time or do you have multiple projects going simultaneously?

I technically focus on one project at a time, but I always have something else going on. Plotting one book, writing another, jotting down notes for a spin-off series… It never ends!

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Editing the third book in Chronicles of Elyndia, and plotting two separate stories. One is a dark fantasy that’s a lot more mature than Chronicles of Elyndia (and so will be written under a different name) and the other is a dystopian series set in a future Chronicles of Elyndia world. (Interestingly, the dystopian series idea was what started this journey!)

How do you get inspiration to write?

Dreams. Literally! So many whole, entire stories have come to me in dreams!

What inspired this series and the characters?

I was sitting in bed several years ago, face-timing my bff while doing school (I was homeschooled) And I literally had this image pop up in my mind while doing math, of all things.

The image was a lone figure standing in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by his dead countrymen. And he was holding onto a sword like his life depended on it, it was raining, and there were these huge red birds circling the area.

I wrote down that scene, and then set it aside for over a year before finally getting back to it.

How do you incorporate your faith into your writing?

I let it come naturally. My books maybe aren’t as Christian as others, because of it, but I kind of like it that way. Most of my readers are already Christians, so I don’t really have to show them redemption and forgiveness (even though there is that!) I show my characters struggling and handling things maybe not in a Christian way, or if it is Christian, maybe not overtly, because that’s how real people are.

It also is kind of like that because my main cast of characters are already Christian. And right now, their struggles are forgiving themselves, or learning how to have their own relationship with Christ, not the one everyone tells them to. While they’re trying to get back their home, LOL.

Every writer has a message they want to impart to their readers. What is yours?

You’re not alone.

Just about every single book I write, every idea I have, even if they cover other themes and messages, that one is everywhere. You are not alone. You are never alone, even when you feel it.

What book of the Bible is your favorite? What makes this particular book your favorite?

Psalms and the Gospels. Psalms, because so many of those chapters touch me. David went through so much, and he put so many of my personal feelings into words. And the Gospels, because I love reading about Jesus walking the earth. Interacting with humankind as a man.

Who is your favorite Biblical character?

Esther. She sacrificed so much and risked everything to save her people. I’ve always admired her for that.

If you could meet one historical figure, who would that be?

Sacagawea and Harriet Tubman are the main ones. But there’s so many more, and so many who have been forgotten by history who did so many great things to save and help people. I’d love to meet them and hear, from themselves, how things were and where they found the courage and strength to do what they did.

If you could tell your younger writing self one thing, what would it be?

Don’t give up. And just because your first projects were awful doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. (Also, burn said bad projects before your sisters find them and remind you of them constantly, LOL!)

How did you come to be a writer? Was this something that you always knew you were destined to be or did you arrive at this point via another path?

I was always a story-teller. Ever since I could talk, I was telling stories about princesses, little kids who beat up school bullies, talking goats… It was only a matter of time before I picked up a pencil and started writing!

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Thank you so much for joining me today, Olive, and congratulations on your book’s release!

If you are interested in Christian fantasy with humor and action, be sure to check out Broken Crown.

Viridian Dreams

Title: Viridian Dreams (releases November 1)

Author: Liz Henderson

Age: YA

Available: Amazon and the author’s website

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About:

Ezra is eagerly waiting to find out if he’s been accepted into university. He believes that it’s the only way he can make a positive impact on the world. But when the letters arrive, they’re all rejections. Devastated by the turn of events, he goes for a walk to clear his mind, accidentally stumbling through a Gateway to the planet Chromvah. The guardian angels living there reveal that the Gateways between Chromvah and Earth have all disappeared, so Ezra is trapped. Without a way to make difference back home, does it even matter that he’s stuck there?

When Ezra dreams about a girl named Petra twice in a row, he wants to know more about her. He discovers that Petra is in fact real and on Earth. Could Ezra and Petra be the key to helping the guardian angels trapped on Earth regain hope?

Come experience the vivid planet of Chromvah as Ezra tries to learn what he was created for.

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Positive Elements:

A character wishes to help adopted children; a character wants to use her past to help others in the same circumstances.

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Negative Elements:

Two uses of “suck”.

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Spiritual Elements:

A character says he doesn’t believe in God; God is referred to as “The Father” and other titles listed in Isaiah 9:6; angels and their purposes are discussed; characters rely on their faith in God to see them through difficult times; characters talk about God; the stories of Noah and the Tower of Babel are told; there is a very strong salvation message; characters pray; the Bible is quoted; the armor of God is discussed; the Trinity is explained.

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Violence:

Some of the harm demons do is mentioned.

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Other:

It is mentioned a character wanted to take her own life; characters kiss.

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Rating:

A solid 4 Stars.

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Conclusion:

Viridian Dreams is an interesting mixture of urban fantasy and supernatural. With an intriguing world called Chromvah, and a heavy emphasis on the power of prayer, this book takes a unique plot of a boy transported to a world of angels and finding himself one of two who can help Guardian angels fight against the increasing forces of darkness. Some of the angels are my favorites in this book. Their attempts to understand humans and our way of life – like comparing us to pets and being confused on the difference between North American football and the rest of the world’s version of football – are hilarious. And they all had color names, which was doubly unique and not something often found in either genre. Viridian Dreams is definitely a distinct read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Cry of the Raven

Title: Cry of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga, Book 3)

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Bethany House

Available: Wherever books are sold

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About:

Wife. Warrior. Lady of Two Worlds.

As War Looms, Will Her Power Be Enough to Save the Ones She Loves?

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

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Positive Elements:

The importance of forgiveness is realized; characters grow emotionally and spiritually throughout the book.

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Negative Elements:

One usage of “hell”.

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Spiritual Elements:

Characters pray; redemption is discussed and seen/shown. Characters learn the importance of relying on God and trusting Him. A character is witness to the Light (God) defeating one enemy and neutralizing the other.

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Violence:

Past betrayals are discussed; villages and lands are burned by the enemy; injuries during war are mentioned and discussed; characters are injured; some of the enemy’s war tactics are described.

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Other:

A couple kisses; the subject of infidelity and a child born of the affair is tactfully discussed.

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Rating:

5 Stars

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Conclusion:

Cry of the Raven is an epic ending to an epic saga. The characters are real and flawed, and you can just feel their emotions and struggles, and I would love Reven and Ophie’s stories. What I most appreciated was the strong faith element. While I am always appreciative of authors who are unafraid to include God and faith, I haven’t found many spec fic books with such a faith element so strong it forces you to just sit back and think, and reminds how important our faith is. Cry of the Raven does just that. The ending, as it is for all superb and incredible reads, was bittersweet: it is satisfying to finally have the end to a captivating story, but you have to leave the characters.

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Cry of the Raven

Title: Cry of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga, Book 3)

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Bethany House

Available: Wherever books are sold

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About:

Wife. Warrior. Lady of Two Worlds.

As War Looms, Will Her Power Be Enough to Save the Ones She Loves?

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

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Positive Elements:

The importance of forgiveness is realized; characters grow emotionally and spiritually throughout the book.

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Negative Elements:

One usage of “hell”.

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Spiritual Elements:

Characters pray; redemption is discussed and seen/shown. Characters learn the importance of relying on God and trusting Him. A character is witness to the Light (God) defeating one enemy and neutralizing the other.

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Violence:

Past betrayals are discussed; villages and lands are burned by the enemy; injuries during war are mentioned and discussed; characters are injured; some of the enemy’s war tactics are described.

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Other:

A couple kisses; the subject of infidelity and a child born of the affair is tactfully discussed.

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Rating:

5 Stars

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Conclusion:

Cry of the Raven is an epic ending to an epic saga. The characters are real and flawed, and you can just feel their emotions and struggles, and I would love Reven and Ophie’s stories. What I most appreciated was the strong faith element. While I am always appreciative of authors who are unafraid to include God and faith, I haven’t found many spec fic books with such a faith element so strong it forces you to just sit back and think, and reminds how important our faith is. Cry of the Raven does just that. The ending, as it is for all superb and incredible reads, was bittersweet: it is satisfying to finally have the end to a captivating story, but you have to leave the characters.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.