Review for Jewel of Shaylar

Blurb:
Archaeologist David Alexander investigates the cave where his father disappeared and hurtles into another world, one filled with magic and bizarre creatures. The mad ravings in his father's journals of icemen and dragons may not be fantasies after all.

Convinced his father may still be alive, David begins a treacherous journey to find him and discover a way home. Along the way, he encounters a few unlikely friends. A Dreean warrior, a beautiful thief and a satyr join him as he searches.

David's arrival into this new world sets off an explosive chain reaction of events. Faced with powerful adversaries and few clues, he may not get the chance to rescue his father before disaster strikes, condemning both of them to death. Or worse.

My review:
David Alexander gets an offer for an archaeological dig that he cannot pass up. It might also help him find his father who has been missing for seven years. Exploring the cave, David is thrown into another world where all the crazy fantastical things his father talked about were real. He meets an odd group of friends on his quest to find his father, and on the way, discovers he is the heir to the lost ancient kingdom of Shaylar. All David wants to do is find his father and go home, but the land calls to him and he cannot ignore its call. Yet the call may lead David to his death and this entire beautiful world's.

A spectacular beginning to the series. The reader is swept into this wonderful fantasy world with wizards, satyrs, and dragons. The people are varied and the politics are thick. David is a highly likable hero that inspires loyalty from those who follow him. Sometimes trust in those he cares for can make him blind, but his heart is true. My favorite characters include his strange group of friends. Rhone the fierce Dreean warrior, Lothan the quirky half-satyr, and Mira the mysterious thief. Each individual is well drawn and fascinating. Plus, the D&D geek in me loves that they make the perfect adventuring party!

Along with great characterization and world building, the book is beautifully written, even poetic in parts. A lot happens in this story, but the reader isn't rushed along nor is the pace too slow. There's time to enjoy the read and get absorbed in the amazing fantasy land Laura Eno has created.

I can't wait for the next installment!

You can buy JEWEL OF SHAYLAR at:
KindleUS * KindleUK * Nook * Smashwords * Kobo * Trade Paperback

 

Add to your Goodreads

Author bio: Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in English literature courses, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld.

Laura is a fellow member of Untethered Realms. Ten great speculative fiction authors. Check us out on Facebook!

 

Find Laura Eno on: Website - Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

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I'm very close to 200 followers on my Facebook page!

The 200th person to "like" my page will receive all the 13th Floor ebooks!

Please spread the word. 

I'm having Tuesday Tea with Mistress Snark

I'm being brave today.

I've accepted an invitation to have tea with Mistress Snark. *gulps*

I'm going in prepared. I've written a list of tips to help me survive. Hm, I can't bring in a piece of paper. That's too obvious. I can't be rude to the kind hostess. But perhaps if I write it on my palm. Yes, that will work!

Please join me over at Laura Eno's blog.

Mistress Snark is expecting you.

W4WS event for May 2013

Welcome to the May 2013 W4WS event! I'm honored to co-host this event with three talented writers, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Stephen Tremp.  The mission of this group is simple: we have a spotlighted author(s) that we strive to help bring awareness of their book(s) to tens of thousands of new people, increase the sales of their book(s), drive new traffic to their blogs and increase followers, and create verbal and viral buzz.

 
We've made this simple and fast. It's as easy as a tweet or a RT, and sharing a status on Facebook. Go to the writer's blog and copy a tweet or RT from the posts with the tag #W4WS. The W4WS Facebook page will have all the updates and links for you.

 
To join the W4WS event, click here for the linky list. It will only take a minute of your time, and you'll help talented writers take a step closer to their dreams. 

Laura Eno is a Speculative Fiction wordsmith. Her secret lies in blending lies with truth with a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Her newest book THE JEWEL OF SHAYLAR is now available. You can find Laura on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Marian Allen has been a writer since she could think, and a cook since middle school. THE FALL OF ONAGROS is the first book in her Sage Trilogy. You can find Marian at her website, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Don't forget to enter my BIG giveaway. You could be the first to own the enter 13th Floor series. 

Day Two of The Oracle & The Vampire Blog Tour and Jewel of Shaylar release

It's day two of the blog tour,
and today I have two fantastic hosts that have been with me through the entire series.

I'm continuing my villains' posts with Nick Wilford.
What's more frightening than demons, werewolves, dragons, and gods?
Hop on over to find out.

I couldn't pick on supernatural creature to feature on TF Walsh's blog.
I'll be chatting about vampires and banshees.
What are your favorite myths?

Today's tidbit: I just realized that the way the tour badge is cropped makes it look like Harriet is holding a head instead of cradling Kiral. Heh. The cover image for this book was the hardest to find, because I had to make sure both models were what I imagined my characters to look like. For Kiral, it was easy to find a model I liked. Harriet, well, she was a bit more difficult. The model isn't perfect for her since Harriet has untamed hair and the model's wardrobe isn't right, but I love the intensity of her gaze and the way she's protectively holding Kiral. That in itself represents Harriet perfectly.

And now I'm excited to share with you the newest release from the talented and whimsical Laura Eno!

Blurb:

Archaeologist David Alexander investigates the cave where his father disappeared and hurtles into another world, one filled with magic and bizarre creatures. The mad ravings in his father's journals of icemen and dragons may not be fantasies after all.

Convinced his father may still be alive, David begins a treacherous journey to find him and discover a way home. Along the way, he encounters a few unlikely friends. A Dreean warrior, a beautiful thief and a satyr join him as he searches.

David's arrival into this new world sets off an explosive chain reaction of events. Faced with powerful adversaries and few clues, he may not get the chance to rescue his father before disaster strikes, condemning both of them to death. Or worse. 

Read Excerpt

Purchase at: KindleUS * KindleUK * Nook * Smashwords * Kobo * Trade Paperback

 
Add to your Goodreads 

Author Bio: Laura Eno. Speculative Fiction wordsmith. The secret to her stories? Spread lies, blend in truths, add a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Escape into her world. She left the porch light on so you could find your way down the rabbit hole.

 

Find Laura at: Blog * Twitter * Facebook

Wish The Awakening review

Blurb:

Most residents of Pine Hill shy away from seventeen-year-old Lelah without knowing why. It’s the Djinn magic surging through her blood. She lives in a world where wishes are really curses, dark power meant to twist and deceive in unimaginable ways.

When a fit of temper exposes Lelah for what she really is, she must flee to a sanctuary only whispered about, before her family is exposed and enslaved by their ancient enemy. What she discovers is a treacherous path filled with power, lies, and betrayal – a path that’s destined to ensnare her and destroy a civilization.

My review:
Lelah may be a Djinni, one of the most powerful beings on Earth, but she only wants to fit in with the humans at her school. She loses control when she sees her best friend about to be attacked and causes a horrible disaster, killing several students. Lelah flees and searches out Sanctuary, a safe place for the Djinn. Yet it is there she discovers something more frightening: her destiny is tied to the survival of her race and humans. She's manipulated and confused, not even sure she can trust her best friend any more. Lelah must find the truth amongst the lies or be used as a tool to eliminate the human race.

The idea of the Djinn hooked me immediately. Laura Eno has created a fascinating mythos, but there's still plenty of mystery surrounding these beings. Their power can destroy civilization, but I love it that wishes are double-edged swords. It's no wonder the Djinn see "wish" as a bad word. Most of the Djinn keep to their own kind and see humans as slaves, but Lelah is different. She grew up around humans. Her big heart might get her in trouble, but it's her compassion that makes her so likable.

The plot is twisty with so few people that Lelah can trust. There's a light touch of romance. It's easy enough to get distracted by a gorgeous smile and a good kisser after all. The immensity of everything else overshadows the romance, though. It's an amazing start to the series. I can't wait to see what Laura Eno has in store for us next.

Purchase links: KindleUS * KindleUK * Nook * Smashwords * Trade Paperback

Author bio: Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in English literature courses, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld.

Find Laura at: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads 

Jewel of Shaylar cover reveal

Blurb:

Archaeologist David Alexander investigates the cave where his father disappeared and hurtles into another world, one filled with magic and bizarre creatures. The mad ravings in his father's journals of icemen and dragons may not be fantasies after all.

 

Convinced his father may still be alive, David begins a treacherous journey to find him and discover a way home. Along the way, he encounters a few unlikely friends. A Dreean warrior, a beautiful thief and a satyr join him as he searches.

 

David's arrival into this new world sets off an explosive chain reaction of events. Faced with powerful adversaries and few clues, he may not get the chance to rescue his father before disaster strikes, condemning both of them to death. Or worse.

 

About the author: Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in English literature courses, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld.

 

Laura is a fellow member of Untethered Realms. Seven great speculative fiction authors. Check us out on Facebook!

 

Find Laura Eno on: Website - Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads