The Northern Witch's Book Blog

Don't miss out on the post-Christmas sale. For the second year running, YA author Angela Kulig, has put together a list of kindle ebooks that are $0.99 or less (or £0.77 or less for other UK people). Not only is everything set out in nifty, easy-search categories, where you can find over 100 books by 60 different authors. But you can also WIN a KINDLE along with a $50 Amazon gift card. I think that's perfectly good incentive to click here to visit Angela's blog for all the details. Get cracking, the sale ends soon! To find out more about Angela Kulig, stalk away via the following links: Author website/blog Facebook Twitter Amazon author page

Ok, so earlier this year Mark Shaw, the creator of #IndieBooksBeSeen, approached a bunch of booktubers, to see if they would be interested in reading work from Indie authors. There was a fantastic reaction - a lot of these people that post their book reviews on YouTube had never considered picking up something that didn't come from a traditional publishing house.  Some didn't realise that indie books existed. It seemed like every week there was a new booktuber uploading their video of an indie book haul or review.  All I can say to those people is thank you so much, thank you for taking the time and effort, for the feedback and support.

Beast of Burden (The Hidden Blood #2) by A.Z. Green 4 out of 5 Synopsis *Warning - graphic content* Pack Leaders who were allies at the time of the Vikings, had rings made to remind them of who they were and what they stood for. Weremen of peace, justice and loyalty. We try to stand by that principle. After the attempt on Nik's life, he and Jaz leave Deer Creek to escape the dangers and judgements on both their heads. But many are determined to find them and drag them back.  Curs are creeping out of the woodwork and making themselves known by the increase of deaths, kidnappings and rapes but it seems the Head Council are looking the other way. 

BEAST OF BURDEN  (Book Two in The Hidden Blood Series) By A.Z. Green Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance Pages: 320 pages Pack Leaders who were allies at the time of the Vikings, had rings made to remind them of who they were and what they stood for. Weremen of peace, justice and loyalty. We try to stand by that principle.

Hell Beckons by Richard L. Becker 3 out of 5 Synopsis A beautiful witch and a serial killer fight The War On Terror for the President of the United States. Do the ends justify the means? You decide as Sandy and Johnny battle our enemies on the streets of American cities and in a war-torn Middle East nation, in a cascade of violence, sex, lust and revenge. Review Becker brings us a story of murder and intrigue, involving the White House, secret societies that employ the supernatural, and a fight against terrorism.  It's dark and sexy, and embraces a bigger world than you can imagine.

Author Interview - Richard L. Becker Ok people, it's time for another little insight into an Indie Author. My guest/victim this month is Richard L.Becker, a novelist who is not afraid to strike out across different genres. His first taste of horror, Hell Beckons will be up for review next week. 1) When did you first decide you wanted to be a published author?

This blog hop is designed to show our readers a more personal side to ourselves. We've been challenged by another author/ blogger (somewhat like the 'ice bucket' challenge) to list seven interesting facts to help cast light onto that tough writer’s/ blogger's persona we all like to project. But we want to show that behind every story is a story, our story, my story, and like everyone else I have dreams, hobbies, problems and goals. This blog hop is a way to share some of them with you, my readers. The rules are that I share 7 Lovely Facts about myself, and links to at least 15 blogs that I enjoy reading. If I’ve nominated your blog, please don’t feel any obligation to join in but, if you do, please link back to the blog of the person who nominated you (that would be D.B. Nielson ), share 7 facts about yourself and nominate 15 blogs (or as many as you can). I was reading some of the other blogs on this tour. There are some remarkable and gifted writers here and I’m hap...

Deceived (Soul Keeper #1) by L.A. Starkey 5 out of 5 Synopsis They say a soul is the immaterial essence, the animating principle, the actuating cause of an individual life. But what if you had to share yours with the one person you hated the most? The soul mate principle states that for every one soul there is another that will recognize its match, hence creating the perfect union. But what if you had two soul mates, which would you choose?  What if your choices had eternal ramification?

BEAST OF BURDEN (Book Two in The Hidden Blood Series) By A.Z. Green   Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance 320 pages (approx) Pack Leaders who were allies at the time of the Vikings, had rings made to remind them of who they were and what they stood for. Weremen of peace, justice and loyalty. We try to stand by that principle.

Brew (Salem's Revenge #1) by David Estes 4 out of 5 Synopsis Salem’s Revenge strikes without warning or mercy, ravaging the powerless human race under the forces of united gangs of witches, wizards, and warlocks. During the slaughter, Rhett Carter's foster parents and sister are killed, and his best friend and girlfriend are abducted by a gang of witches calling themselves the Necromancers, who deal in the dark magic of raising the dead. Rhett’s sword-wielding neighbor with a mysterious past saves Rhett from becoming another casualty of the massacre and teaches him the skills he needs to survive in this new world.

Now I'm a bit of a bah-humbug-scrooge at this time of year.  I'm the type of person that plugs my ears up whenever those same old songs come on while you're shopping; shutting my eyes to block the constant toy adverts that feel five hours long; an eye-roll reaction every time people panic that over work rotas and how they're going to cope (come on, it's a couple of days people, even shorter than the Easter weekend!).  In fact, a couple of years ago when I was living in London, I basically stock-piled so I didn't have to leave home for the week leading up to the big day (have you seen how violent people are with metal shopping trolleys in the final countdown?). The day I look forward to, is actually Boxing Day.  Our tradition is to go on a pub-crawl on horseback, and dress up like this: (Don't we look lovely and scruffy!) (And yes, that is my posh dressage horse wearing antlers!) Yes, this is a thing.  It's not a Hunt, it's just a gentle hack ar...

Dark Prophet (The Chronicles of Koa #2) by K.N. Lee 4 out of 5 Synopsis Not all vampires are created equal... Koa is a half-blood vampire with not only the ability to fly, but survive in the sun's light. She will do anything to protect her mother, and break her curse. The demon, Bund, wants more than her mother's life. He wants something from Koa, a power that she doesn't even know she has, and will rip through as many humans as he can to get her to surrender. Agent Koa Ryeo-won, and her boss, Halston, formed a crew of supernatural agents to stop Bund. But is a prophet, a temptress, a War-Breeder, a half-blood with an enchanted sword, and a few angels enough to stop what Bund has planned? In the midst of a war between the humans of the mortal world, and the creatures of the Netherworld, Koa discovers the truth of her past. She finds herself torn between two men, and in the center of everything. Faced with all of her returned memories, Koa also finds herself more p...

Searching For Katherine by Melissa Holden 3 out of 5 Synopsis Jennifer and Katherine are living the typical post-university life, drinking lots of tea and going clubbing. But when Katherine is kidnapped in a night club, Jennifer’s whole world is turned upside down.  Could her luck finally have changed for the better when Marcus enters her life, or is it about to get a whole lot worse? Review After her best friend goes missing, Jennifer is left to go on with her life.  But no matter what she does, no matter how her family grows, she can never forget that Katherine is missing. I found this novella very hard to review.  To be honest, I don't think I've reviewed a novella before, and I think that Holden's story was too big for 129 pages. "Searching For Katherine" starts with the lead up to the night when Katherine disappears; it goes on to the immediate aftermath; and then proceeds to cover several years of Jennifer's life. The second half covers ...

Author Interview - Melissa Holden This week, in the run-up to the release of her new novella " Searching for Katherine ", I've been lucky enough to get an interview from author Melissa Holden. Melissa Holden is an undergraduate at Canterbury Christ Church University (Creative and Professional Writing BA Hons). As well as studying at university, Melissa is also an Editor for CCCU Her Campus.  She is originally from Dartford, Kent where she grew up but has since moved to Canterbury in order to study.  Along side her writing, Melissa is a supporter and member of the movement Indie Books Be Seen which helps indie authors work together to promote self-publishing.  Melissa has been writing professionally since 2012, but has been an avid writer, reader and general creative her entire life. She is a big supporter of self-promotion and encouraging up-and-coming creatives to get their names out there.  1)  Congratulations on your new book!  Where did...

Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation by Samyann 5 out of 5 Synopsis A tender love story pulls the reader back to previous lives and a time richly elegant. In modern day Chicago, deja vu draws together a handsome mounted policeman and the beautiful young woman who saves his life. Yesterday is also a harrowing tale of escape through the American Civil War, the heart wrenching love of slaves for their young white charges, and The Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In this historical romance, Mark fights through Amanda's rejection to prove that she will love again as she once loved - Yesterday. Review A freak accident brings Mark and Amanda together as they each risk their life to save the other.  Then Mark can't get the girl out of his head - or the thought that somehow, he already knows her. Amanda feels the same way, but knows that she can't let anyone else into her life right now, as she can't handle losing another loved one. Throw in a clock and a history that se...

Forbidden (The Arotas Trilogy #1) by Amy Miles 1 out of 5 Synopsis Roseline Enescue didn't ask to become an Immortal, to have all of the guests at her wedding slaughtered, or be forced into marriage with a man whose lust for blood would one day ignite the vampire legend. Willing to risk everything for a chance at a normal life, Roseline escapes to America. Terrified her husband Vladimir will find her, Roseline enrolls as a senior in Chicago's elite Rosewood Prep school. Mingling with humans is the last place he would look for her. But her transition into the human world isn't easy. Mortal men flock after her while cutthroat girls plot her demise. Yet Roseline remains relatively unfazed by the petty hysteria until she falters into the arms of Gabriel Marston, reluctant MVP quarterback, unwilling ladies man, and sensitive artist in hiding. Troubled by the bond that pulls her towards the mortal boy, Roseline tries to ignore him, but Gabriel is persistent. As their li...

The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker After my last review, where I prattled on about my disappointment of The Staff and The Sword series, I happened to be chatting to a fellow book geek and realised something terrible. I have had a book blog for over a year and I have not mentioned The Emperor's Edge. I cannot begin to explain what a sin this is. I have mentioned the series, the author and the characters in many of the interviews I have given; promoting them as clear favourites. So let me correct this oversight by giving my first series review.  I won't go into detail of each book, but allow me to give a quick introduction to the first in the series: The Emperor's Edge #1 *Free to download from Amazon* Synopsis Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfro...

The Hero's Lot & A Draw of Kings (The Staff and the Sword #2 & 3) By Patrick W. Carr 5 out of 5 Synopsis Riveting Sequel from Christian Fantasy's Most Talented New Voice  When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne.  In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol's home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting. 4 out of 5 Synopsis Their jou...

Drumroll please... Big news first - the final part of the Witch-Hunter trilogy has been released. The Shadow Falls available in paperback and kindle Synopsis: Hunter Astley has always known that he is different: being a witch-hunter that can use magic has sealed his fate. He must destroy the Shadow Witch once and for all, with the help of some unlikely allies. We delve even deeper into the world of the Malleus Maleficarum; into myth, rumour and history that refuses to stay in the past. Which is absolutely bloody brilliant news! To celebrate the release, the first part of the Witch-Hunter series is free to download from Amazon for the whole weekend - Friday 5th to Sunday 7th. The Shadow Rises I am torn - a large part of me is currently bouncing around with excitement and telling anyone who will listen that book number 3 is real and ready to complete Hunter's story. But I'm also a little scared.  It has been a lifelong ambition to be a published writer, and now...

Summer Solstice: Enchanted by K.K. Allen 4 out of 5 Synopsis The Summer Solstice Enchanted is the first in the Summer Solstice Series – a lighthearted Young Adult Fantasy set in Apollo Beach, Florida. Katrina "Kat" Summer has been sheltered and void of much social interaction her entire life. But her world changes drastically when her mother dies unexpectedly and she is forced move in with her grandmother and caretaker. In the picturesque town of Apollo Beach, which dwells on Florida’s West Coast, is where Kat’s world takes on enchanting new beginnings. Her grandmother, Rose, a whimsical old lady with wild tales of the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses from which their family descends, encourages Kat to understand their heritage. But the more Kat learns the more she realizes how many secrets her mother kept from her growing up. Leading up to her 16th birthday, Kat is occupied with enigmatic visions and disturbing dreams with prophecies much too real to ignore. A...