Thursday 12 September 2013

TRR: Fall Into Romance Hop

Welcome to My World! It is day one of TRR’s Fall into Romance Blog Hop, which will run until September 21st and there are a lot of awesome participants with some fab prizes up for grab.

The theme of this hop is romance and why we love it so much. I am a romance author myself. I mainly write paranormal with dark humour, sometime boarding on light horror, and then a couple of contemporaries thrown in. My stories are mostly erotic, but some are sensual and on the odd occasion they are sweet. For more information on my work please feel free to hop on over to my website: www.e-morgan.com

Today I am going to talk about another romance book, or rather a series that I am currently reading and I have to say, absolutely loving.

The Witching Pen novellas by Dianna Hardy

The stories take place in London, England and begin by following the life of Elena Green a third generation witch who owns a very special pen; the witching pen. Now, it is impossible for me to go into details without giving too much away, but let’s just say although this pen seems very cool it is a very powerful weapon and one that turns both Elena’s and Karl’s - her best friend/romantic interest - lives upside down.

During book one we meet Amy – a witch – and Pueblo – a demon/shifter – who are the leads for book two “The Sands of Time” and have big roles of their own to play within the story arc, along with the hero and heroine of book three “The Demon Bride,” Gwain – a fallen angel – and Mary – who no one can figure out . . . but when her place in this world and story is discovered . . .  *gush* Oh, it’s brilliant. I have to say the third book was my favourite and I will admit it is because I have a huge crush on Gwain and his and Mary’s personal story . . . *heart flutter* But all these characters have a purpose, and a part to play; all equally as important as they other.

I adore Dianna Hardy’s writing. She has a beautiful way of describing her world and characters and their emotions. Her stories – including her new series “The Eye of the Storm Series” and her individual titles – are well planned, and constantly keep you hooked. The way the plots unfold are genius, especially in her series; there is a slow unveiling with every instalment that keeps you wanting more.

In the world of The Witching Pen, Dianna Hardy has really moulded quite a wonderful and unique view on the theories and stories of God and the Devil; angels, demons, witches, fairies . . .  she has gelled so many elements together and come out with a world that is believable; stories that are fascinating and gripping. As a reader I felt the situations these characters were in were very possible. And the relationships between characters . . . we have so many elements of love and all its types from childhood sweethearts; friends turn lovers, love at first sight, everlasting, soul mates etc. You feel for each of the characters because even though they have their happy moments they really have to work for them.

 I have read quite a few books in my time, but nothing like these three stories. You don’t feel like you have to make yourself believe that all the things that exist in this world – this fiction world - exist, it just feels natural; like there is truth to it. I suppose to some degree there is, because the elements in the books are taken from truth and the author has placed a view point on it all; made everything work for this world and all who exist in it.

Believable characters, a story arc that has you devouring the pages just to find out what happens next, violence, humour, passion, heartfelt moments, The Witching Pen, The Sands of Time, and The Demon Bride are three terrific books that are definitely worth the read if you are a fan of paranormal romance.

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Wilted

(A Witching Pen Novellas Prequel)
Free at Most Retail Sites!
A short story prequel to The Witching Pen Novellas.

(This story takes place ten years before the events of The Witching Pen Novellas.)

Fifteen-year-old Elena hides her magical abilities from everyone, except her best friend, Karl. Inseparable since they were very young, they’ve always shared everything together, including ther darkest parts of their lives.

Elena’s beginning to realise that her feelings for Karl are growing into something more. But her mother’s about to drop a bombshell on her – one that will change the course of her life, and heart, forever.

~ * ~

The Witching Pen
(Book One of The Witching Pen Novellas)

It’s hard being the most powerful witch on the planet. It’s even harder when you’re a twenty-five year old virgin who’ll lose all of that power the moment you sleep with someone . . . that’s why Elena’s never slept with her best friend and flatmate, Karl, despite the true feelings they harbour for each other.

Elena’s about to discover that there are even more difficult things in life to deal with. One of them comes in the form of a pen she discovers one day, a pen that allows anything she writes to come to pass. . .

Suddenly, it’s not just her powers or her heart that’s at stake, but her very soul, as a dream demon with a seductive pull uses the pen to try and turn her away from reality, and from Karl.

But the pen is just the beginning. Everything Elena has believed in is a lie, and her world is about to fall apart . . .

Book Length: Novella (37,000+ Words)

Ongoing Promotional Offer

The Witching Pen will be FREE to download from most stores until further notice. Please note that not all stores will price match.

Amazon – FREE

Amazon UK – FREE
Barnes & Noble – FREE
Kobo Books – FREE
Apple iTunes – FREE
Diesel eBooks – FREE
Smashwords - FREE



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The Sands of Time

(Book Two of The Witching Pen Novellas)
Preceded by Book One

Seven days ago, Elizabeth May tried to commit suicide. She was found by Paul, her husband who took her under his wing and back to their home. But the attempted suicide is not Elizabeth’s main problem – Elizabeth can’t remember who she is, or a single thing about her life beyond the past week.

Plagued by nightmares about a familiar black panther, and a terrifying snow leopard, she is convinced that the dreams are trying to show her something important, and is determined to regain her memories, one way of another.

Meanwhile, Pueblo – the demon blood-bonded to the witch, Amy – is going insane trying to find her. Amy disappeared one week ago, and it seems not even their bond is strong enough to penetrate whatever magic hides her.

As pueblo enlists the help of angels and demons alike, Elizabeth beings to piece together parts of her forgotten life. But what she uncovers may just have her wanting to turn away from who she really is . . . for good.

Content Warning: Contains scenes of explicit sex and some violence.

Book Length: Novella/Short novel (approx 40,000 words)

~ * ~

The Demon Bride
(Book Three of The Witching Pen Novellas)
Preceded by Book One and Book Two

Two thousand and eleven years after the birth of the Failed One, the Witching Pen will be made manifest on Earth by the Great Shanka Witch of the Old Scrolls. By her hand, The Earth will rumble and shatter, and all dimensions will bleed into one.

The true purpose of the Witching Pen has been revealed, and it must be destroyed before an apocalyptic prophecy comes true. There’s just one problem – the Pen is indestructible.

As everyone searches for much needed answers, Elena lays done plans for a radical mission to save her mother from the Shanka’s shadow world.

Meanwhile, Mary finally discovered who she really is, and what that means for the human race.

What Mary doesn’t know, is that Gwain has been searching for her for over ten thousand years, and had lost all hope of finding her. Now that he has her, he’s faced with the impossible choice: does he save the woman who altered his very existence, or does he sacrifice her to save mankind?

Content Warning: Contains scenes of explicit sex and some violence.

Book Length: Novel (approx 70,000)

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Dianna Hardy Online:

For more information on Dianna and her work:
The Witching Pen is a FREE eBook, here is the page to all the download links: http://www.diannahardy.com/the-witching-pen.html

~ * ~


Reviews
Wilted – 5 stars

A sweet, innocent short story and the perfect kind of prequel.

Even though it is only __ pages long, Wilted hooks you straight away. You quickly learn a lot about Elena and Karl, and their relationship, as well as the relationships Elena has with her mother.  Sweet and teasing, this short prequel leaves you curious to find out what happens next.

~

The Witching Pen – 5 stars

Like its short prequel, The Witching Pen pulls you right into the characters world. You get enough detail about Elena and Karl, their lives and relationship simply by the way they are with one another. The concept is fab. The pen itself seems like a really fun item to have, and yet dangerous, which is what makes it so appealing and interesting to read about.

There are equal amounts of heartfelt moments, and humour, which made the characters and the situations they were in more realistic. Karl and Elena are a very sweet and compassionate pair and because of everything they have gone through to the point that the start of the book, they are very likeable and you find yourself very happy for them despite all the new problems they have to deal with toward and by the end of the book.

The story – as with those that follow – is very down to earth in the sense that it is believable. I feel as though I like could actually run into these characters if I were to take a trip down to London, which I liked, because it’s not very often you find that you feel so connected to a story or its characters.

The Witching Pen is an intriguing beginning to the series, with a tease worthy cliff hanger that has you itching to read the next book as soon as you’re finished.

~

The Sands of Time – 5 stars

Well, the story begins to unfold a little more in book two of The Sands of Time, and we’re introduced to a new character . . . or is she a new character?

If you’ve read book one then you will kinda know who Elizabeth is in this book, but at the same time find yourself asking, “what on earth is going on?” Which is a good thing, because naturally you want to find out, and although I loved this book and my interest was spiking in regards to Gwain and Mary, and I was still very interested in what was going on with Elena and Karl, I really wanted to know what the deal was with Elizabeth/Amy. . . And my god, I didn’t expect that.

One presumes she’s had her memory messed with and is just being lied to, but the truth – as sad as it actually is – is just so much more better, and at the same time, boggling. At first you dislike this man, Paul, who you feel is lying to her, but then, sympathy. So much sympathy. And Pueblo, oh, he is dishy and the desert scene . . . yum.

I loved the reincarnation angle to this book. The deeper understanding and explanation of soul bonding and blood bounding and how it works. I was extremely impressed with how Dianna made these characters histories interlink and how it all played out. I really wasn’t expecting it.

And then the end of this book, a little violent, but sexy and a little touching and then . . . cliff hanger. Lucky for me, I bought all the books in one go so I could start the next book, “The Demon Bride” straight away. ;-P

All in all, fabulous book. You can slowly start to see how everything is tied up, and why some of the characters are the way they are and have done what they have. Fantastic continuation from the events that began in book one.

~

The Demon Bride – 5 stars

I have enjoyed both the first two books in this series, but this book is by far my favourite. The question is how do I even begin to explain why?

The recreation and view point on how heaven and hell – and everything in-between – came into existence would be the first reason. I love how Dianna has created this world and all the reasons behind why and how it is the way it is. She has made and shaped a world where mythical creatures and beings from scriptures co-exist. She has mingled folklore with, well, religious view points and it works so fantastically.

The second reason would be Gwain and Mary. This is their story and my god, what a story. The intensity between the two, along with the humour and the sorrow, and then there are all the smoking hot sexual scenes; they are by far my favourite couple. They have come a long way out of all of the couples, well, Gwain has and the moments of realization when they discover who they are and to each other . . . Both beautiful and heartbreaking, and downright moving.

The third reason for why I loved this book so much would be because all the characters stories are heading to the climax; to the reason why they are who they are, and why everything that has happened over the last three books has happened. Anxiety kicks in here, because everything has just gotten really serious.

The ending is fabulous; sad, but brilliant. The cliff-hanger will have you chomping on your arm and dying to know what happens next, and yes, there is one more book in this series before the true “The End.”

I am very much looking forward to reading the final instalment, the spin-off novel, The Last Dragon, which will be released on October 4th 2013.

~ * ~

Now, I am very excited to say that in just under a month the final book in the series, which is the spin-off novel to the The Witching Pen novellas, is being released. The Last Dragon is the final instalment in the story.

Coming October 4th 2013

The Last Dragon
(A Spin-off Novel to The Witching Pen Novellas)

The earth is in a state of shock after the apocalypse. The veil between dimensions is no more. Demons and fallen angels walk among humans, and everyone is trying to find their place in the new world – Morgan le Fey’s world.

But the fairy queen find herself cemented within humanity and struggling with human emotions, and her right-hand-man, Lucifer, has secrets which are causing fissions among every race.

Meanwhile, Karl and Elena struggle with their powers, Katarra delivers an important message, and two men will stop at nothing to protect their unborn child – the Messiah of the New Age – and the woman they love.

Far to the East, the fallen Archangel Michael is fighting for the one he holds above all other.

The Last Dragon is about to rise and seal everyone’s future, which depends solely on its survival . . . or its extinction.

~ * ~

Unlike The Witching Pen Trilogy, which was a paranormal romance, this spin-off novel (which contains the same characters) is an (adult) Urban Fantasy.

It’s highly recommended – and by the author herself – that you read The Witching Pen Novellas, before reading this book. Everything that has happened across those three books is leading up to this final one. So, in order to make sense of everything and completely understand what is going on, you should read the first three books in the series.

And luckily – as stated above – The Witching Pen prequel, “Wilted” and Book 1 in the series, “The Witching Pen,” are FREE at most retailers. So, why not grab yourself a copy and get started today?

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Competition Time!

Interested in winning a $10 Amazon Gift Card? 

All you have to do is hop on over to "Not Just A Stiff Upper Lip," which is the blog that Dianna Hardy and myself share, click the follow button and then leave a comment to this post with your email address and a message, if you fancy leaving one. :-)

On Saturday 21st at midnight - 6pm est time - with the help of Random.org I will pick a winner, who I will then email the Gift Card too. So, please do leave your email addy in a comment.

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The Romance Reviews Hop
Don't forget to click on the Hop button to visit the next blog! 
You will need to be logged in to TRR in order to hop via the button. If you haven’t registered at TRR and/or logged in, please click on the button and then go to the top right side of the page on TRR to do so. Registration is free.

18 comments:

  1. I nabbed The Witching Pen. It's sounds good!

    GFC: Ashley Van Buren
    ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ashley.

      It's a great read. Hope you enjoy! :-)

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  2. Thanks for being a part of this FUN blog hop.

    GFC follower: Juana Esparza

    jmesparza821 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the giveaway!
    by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway!! Following :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Great to connect with you. It was my total pleasure. Thank you for stopping by. :-)

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  5. Thanks for being a part of the hop. I got myself a copy of The Witching Pen.

    bme722(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Followed! Thank you for the giveaway and hop! kamclauc AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for following, and thanks for stopping by! :-)

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  7. I grabbed a copy of The Witching Pen and followed. Thanks! Also, appreciate the chance to win your giveaway.

    caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn. Happy reading! :-)

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  8. I went over to "Not Just a Stiff Upper Lip" and followed on GFC.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Lovely to be connecting with you, Catherine. Thanks for stopping by. :-)

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  9. i like free fallin by tom petty too! (video at the other website) - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Daniel. They are a great selection of songs, aren't they? :-)

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