Cover Reveal: Astarte's Wrath & Fairy Blues

Astarte's Wrath

Trisha Wolfe

Series: Kythan Guardians #0.5

Release date: July, 2012

Add it to your Goodreads

A Kythan Guardians Novella

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Kythan Astarte vowed to free the Kythans from the binds that enslaved them to the Egyptian pharaohs and sorcerers. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls...This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarian her duty, he’s the son of Cleopatra, and he’s…human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar, Caesarian’s own father, creeps its ways into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythans free themselves of their servitude, or protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

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Excerpt

Whenever the sky bleeds, covering the once-blue pallet with crimson, and the bright ball of fire burns through billowy puffs of white, staining them and the earth in hues of red-orange and amber…and ash floats on a non-existent breeze, I know the Narcolym Guardians are waging a battle.
            Shuttering my window, I unloose the hemp thread, and a sheer curtain veils the sand-covered horizon from my vision. My fingers trail the cream fabric, the tips tracing the darkening clouds against the light material as my other hand curls into a fist by my thigh, dousing the swirling vortex rising up at the charge in the air.
            “Star…?”
            Astarte, I correct inwardly, but pinch my lips closed. “Yes, Habi?”
            Habi’s footsteps echo throughout the mud-brick room as he approaches. “It’s time…”

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Kythan Guardians so far:

Fairy Blues
J.L. Bryan
Series: Songs of Magic, #2
Release date: January 20th, 2012

Goodreads / Purchase

The sequel to Fairy Metal Thunder.

With their enchanted instruments charming the crowds, the Assorted Zebras attract interest from record producers, and soon they’re off to cut their first album and music video. Jason and his friends don’t know they’ve just become pawns in a sinister plot by a cabal of evil fairies...

Meanwhile, Aoide and her band pursue a new strategy for regaining their stolen instruments, one that will take them into the most haunted region in Faerie.

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About the cover

Fairy Blues depicts Rhodia, a fairy musician in a band (they prefer "troupe") whose instruments are stolen by human teenagers, who go on to fame and fortune as rock stars while the fairy troupe falls into poverty, unable to earn a living. Rhodia keeps her instrument in the form of a silver harp most of the time, but it can shapeshift into any string instrument. Infused with the power of water elementals, the harp's music reaches into the depths of the listener's heart. Rhodia herself is the sort of fairy who enjoys shopping for the latest fashions at Pick-A-Lily Circus (a major covered market in Faerie), getting her hair braided by the hummingbirds at the spa park, and flirting with the tall and the handsome at the trendiest dance halls in her hometown of Sidhe City. The band's troubled quest to recover their instruments, taking them on a great adventure far from home, into places without a single decent nectar cafe or foot salon, does not amuse her. (Second book in the series.)

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Old cover vs New cover:

Ok first, Astarte's Wrath's cover is gorgeous. I love the colors, the girl is incredibly pretty and her bangs are totally rocksauce! If you haven't read Destiny's Fire, you should it's a great steampunk novel - my review can be found here.

Second, the Songs of Magic series by J.L. Bryan got a completely new design by PhatPuppyArt which I absolutely love! Make sure you go check the other 2 covers on the blogs below because they are stunning! Unfortunately, Fairy Metal Thunder is exclusive to paperback and Kindle until May 23. If you don't have a Kindle and would like to read it sooner, you can use a free Kindle app for almost any device... Or you can enter the flash giveaway (details below)!

For the other redesigned covers in the Songs of Magic series, visit:

-The Bookish Brunette for Fairy Metal Thunder (Book 1)

-Between the Pages for Fairystruck (Book3)

FLASH GIVEAWAY: The first ten comments on each of the three blogs today will win an ebook copy of Fairy Metal Thunder with the hot new cover! If you missed your chance here, head on over to the other blogs NOW! Be sure to include your email or Twitter in your comment so we can send it!

So what do you think, guys? Leave us your thoughts! 

Review: Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Destiny's Fire
Trisha Wolfe
Release date: January 10th, 2012
by Omnific Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

*A copy was provided by Omnific Publishing for review purposes*

As a new steampunk novel, Destiny's Fire delivers with a lot of action, steamy scenes and a fantastic futuristic setting. On the brink of extinction, enemy races Narcolym and Shythe are going to have to learn to live with each other, because Haven Falls' protective barrier has come down.

While I had difficulty at the start, I ended up captivated by the world that Trish has built. Right from the beginning we're thrown into this world with Nacrolyms, Shythe, and the intriguing history surrounding them. I was a bit disjointed at first, not knowing the specifics of this reality. How they live, the barrier, why they are at war; the politics behind the plot take a while to become clear. Combined with the slower pace, I wasn't sure what to make of the book. However, about half-way through it picks up quite a bit, along with deeper world building which quickly turns it into an engrossing tale.

Inside this world resides quite a few fascinating characters. Dez, our main character, is determined, strong, with an attractive personality. I loved her attitude, as well as her realistic reactions to the events in the story. Her "secret" also promises an exciting, action packed series. The only thing I didn't like was how she treated Jace as sort of a stand-in for her real interest. I loved Jace. He's so sweet and genuine; I really felt for him. Dez's best friend, Lana, is a fun, well-rounded character that you get to care about as much as the protagonist. She's exuberant and simply fills the pages with life.

The unique lore together with unexpected plot twists gives us a remarkably elaborate story. Everything blends together wonderfully. I especially enjoyed the romance that allows a breather from the intensity. There is definite chemistry between the love interests which is perfectly paced to make us long for more. Altogether well written and gratifying, Destiny's Fire is an honorable debut that I recommend to all steampunk fans.

Fun fact: I have a strong dislike for the word eyeteeth. (Which does not, in fact, mean eyeballs on teeth *phew*) O_o  

4 Hot Espressos