COVER REVEAL: Brimstone & Blades by Maria Alexander

Today, we have a Cover Reveal to share for multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning Author Maria Alexander's Brimstone & Blades. So... Be sure to check out the gorgeous cover and pre-order your copy NOW!

Genre:

Young Adult

Historical Fantasy

Publish Date:

June 3, 2025

Synopsis:

It’s 1689.

Sixteen-year-old Julie de Maupin is on the run with her boyfriend, a young swordmaster named Sérannes. They perform sword fights and songs in taverns to survive.

But when a diabolical creature kills Sérannes, it also injures Julie in the attack. Plunged into the dangerous world of French magic, Julie needs to return to Paris to find the great magician that can heal her devastating wound so she can avenge Sérannes’s death. On the way, she finds the creature is controlled by a necromantic coven called the Shadow Holders. Defeated during the Affair of the Poisons, they’ve returned but this time with traitors in the royal court to crush Louis XIV and terrorize France.

With her found family of magical and moggie misfits, Julie must use her sword, wits, and gender-bending wiles to send the threat back to Hell. But will they be enough?

Magic is illegal, and so is dueling.

But that won’t stop La Maupin.

       

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**About the Author**

Maria Alexander is an Amazon #1 Bestseller of Young Adult Horror. Her short stories and nonfiction essays have appeared in numerous publications and acclaimed anthologies alongside living legends such as David Morrell and Heather Graham. 

Her debut novel, MR. WICKER, won the 2014 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Her first YA novel, SNOWED, won the 2016 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, and was nominated for the 2017 Anthony Award for Best Children's/YA Novel.

She lives in Los Angeles with two ungrateful cats, a Jewish Christmas caroler, and a purse called Trog.

Stay connected with Maria Alexander

      

Cover Reveal Organized by

BLOG TOUR: The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Historical Fantasy Author Justin Newland's The Genes of ISIS. Today, on our tour stop, we have a review and a tour-wide giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy TODAY! Follow the tour HERE.

Genre:

Adult

Historical Fatnasy

Publish Date:

May 21, 2018

Publisher:

Matador

Synopsis:

Akasha is a precocious young girl with dreams of motherhood. She lives in a fantastical world where most of the oceans circulate in the aquamarine sky waters.

Before she was born, the Helios, a tribe of angels from the sun, came to Earth to deliver the Surge, the next step in the evolution of an embryonic human race. Instead they spawned a race of hybrids and infected humanity with a hybrid seed.

Horque manifests on Earth with another tribe of angels, the Solarii, to rescue the genetic mix-up and release the Surge.

Akasha embarks on a journey from maiden to mother and from apprentice to priestess then has a premonition that a great flood is imminent. All three races – humans, hybrids and Solarii – face extinction.

With their world in crisis, Akasha and Horque meet, and a sublime love flashes between them. Is this a cause of hope for humanity and the Solarii? Or will the hybrids destroy them both? Will anyone survive the killing waters of the coming apocalypse?

      

   

Praise for The Genes of ISIS

“The novel is creative, sophisticated, brilliant! I couldn’t ask for a more Egyptian-esque book!” —Lauren, Books Beyond the Story

“The book is exquisitely written, with good characterization and a compelling plot… Thoroughly recommended.” —Jennifer’s Reviews  

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Justin Newland

Justin Newland’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. His stories explore the themes of war and religion, and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.

Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

The historical thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

The Coronation (Matador, 2019) was another historical adventure and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

His work in progress is a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it’s an epic tale of England’s coming of age. The Mark of the Salamander (to be published September 2023) takes us across the open seas of discovery with Sir Francis Drake while The Midnight of Eights culminates the series with the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin appears on LitFest panels, gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts.

Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Stay connected with Justin Newland

      

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Again! Author Justin Newland intrigued and kept me engaged into another historical mythological fantasy... and with a sci-fi twist. The Genes of Isis has a dramatic start and continued to captivate and immerse me into ancient Egypt and its mythology. What also fascinated me was the biblical elements throughout the book. With all these captivating elements, I really had to focus (sometimes, go back pages) on all the intricacies of the characters and all the other fantastical elements intertwined in the novel to get the full impact of the creative and vivid world the author created.

The Genes of Isis was an intense, imaginative, and enjoyable read. It is, by no means, a quick read, especially since historical fiction is not a genre I read very often. But, Justin Newland's writing is compelling, sophisticated, and brilliant that readers "travels" through time in his novels.

My rating:

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

- ends July 31, 2023

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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BLOG TOUR: The Old Dragon's Head by Justin Newland

 

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for historical fantasy author Justin Newland's The Old Dragon's Head. Today, on our tour stop, we have my review to share. We also have a tour-wide giveaway to share, too! So... Be sure to take a look at what my thoughts on this historical fantasy and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE.

Genre:

Adult

Historical Fantasy/Folklore

Publish Date:

October 8, 2018

Publisher:

Matador

Synopsis:

Constructed of stone and packed earth, the Great Wall of 10,000 li protects China’s northern borders from the threat of Mongol incursion. The wall is also home to a supernatural beast: the Old Dragon. The Old Dragon’s Head is the most easterly point of the wall, where it finally meets the sea.

In every era, a Dragon Master is born. Endowed with the powers of Heaven, only he can summon the Old Dragon so long as he possess the dragon pearl.

It’s the year 1400, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years. Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. Folk believe he has yin-yang eyes and other paranormal gifts.When Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, a bitter war of succession ensues in which the Mongols hold the balance of power. While the victor might win the battle on earth, China’s Dragon Throne can only be earned with a Mandate from Heaven – and the support of the Old Dragon.

Bolin embarks on a journey of self-discovery, mirroring Old China’s endeavour to come of age. When Bolin accepts his destiny as the Dragon Master, Heaven sends a third coming of age – for humanity itself. But are any of them ready for what is rising in the east?

      

     

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Praise for The Old Dragon's Head

“A stand out novel that ticks all the boxes – murder, mystery, treason, glorious villains, reluctant heroes and more than a touch of the supernatural.” —Discovering Diamonds

“The author is an excellent storyteller.” British Fantasy Society. “History meets magic, culture meets supernatural… I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a twist.” —Books Beyond the Story

“This is an exceptionally well-written book which takes one back to the China of 1400.” —That’s Books and Entertainment

“I absolutely loved the mix of fantasy elements well-rooted in Chinese history.” —Jessica Belmont

“I enjoyed the different perspectives and the magical realism.” —Rosie Cawkwell

“This book was part murder mystery and part fantasy with some fabulous villains and heroes.” —Over the Rainbow

“This isn’t your typical coming of age story – it’s filled with tough choices, unexpected surprises, and a destiny that’s bigger than anyone can imagine.” —The Faerie Review

“This epic story has it all – adventure, mystery, villains, the supernatural, and at its heart a true coming of age journey.” —Books and Emma

“This is a book of historical fantasy, but in terms of the fantasy, it is subtle, and firmly rooted in cultural beliefs and superstitions within the time period covered in the book.” —Book Mad Jo

“This is not just a fantasy book, this is a fantasy with history, murder, mystery, legend, myth and of course the supernatural. There are villains and heroes and action and adventure.” —Bookmarks and Stages

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**About the Author**

Photo Content from Justin Newland

Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers - that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He gives author talks and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Bristol’s Thought for the Day. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Stay connected with Justin Newland

     

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This Review contains NO spoilers

I'm not much of a history buff, but The Old Dragon's Head is definitely "trip" through historical China with a mix of mythology and the supernatural. Being the first book by this author I have read, I was taken on a journey filled with mystery, suspense, and fantasy that kept me turning the pages. Although the book starts off slow (in my opinion), the story continues to build with it's interesting characters, descriptive setting, and fascinating culture.

A well-written and thought-provoking epic tale that took me through historical China, The Old Dragon's Head is a remarkable and enjoyable read from beginning to end. This is definitely not a light read, so be aware that every chapter is something to ponder while following the characters and the story. Fans of historical fantasy would enjoy a read like this.

My rating:

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter 

- ends February 5, 2023

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by