#FantasyforChristmas! A Gift of Poison by Kate Avery Ellison

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Kate Avery Ellison for

Days of Fantasy for Christmas

A Gift of Poison
(The Kingmakers' War #1)
By Kate Avery Ellison
YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 218 Pages
October 12th 2014

Bestselling Amazon author of The Frost Chronicles, Kate Avery Ellison, delivers a fantasy novel packed with clever betrayals, surprising twists, and many moments of delicious vindication for its scrappy heroine. This is a must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass, Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study, Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief, and Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes.

This is the clever, heartbreaking, intricate YA fantasy you've always wanted to read.

Briand Varryda has always been too clever for her own good. She’s quick with knives and even quicker with cards. She can scramble up a castle wall. She can ride a bad-tempered stallion with her arms tied behind her back.

But it’s never been enough. She’s useless in the eyes of everyone on her uncle’s estate. A guttersnipe. An orphan. An annoyance. Even Kael, the handsome, enigmatic steward of her uncle who has protected her from her uncle’s wrath too many times already, sees her as nothing but trouble to him.

But when Briand drinks of vial of poisoned venom that grants the drinker the power to control dragons, she becomes the opposite of useless.

She becomes the one thing that might win the war.

Kael, she quickly discovers, is a Monarchist spy. Leader of a band of rebels. About to embark on a dangerous mission. And he and his crew desperately need Briand’s new skills.

Nobody is happy about the situation, least of all Briand, but she doesn’t have a choice. Terrifying magic users called Seekers are now hunting her and her powers. She is plunged into a world of danger, betrayal, and secrets. A world in which friends turn into traitors. A world in which she might be falling for Kael. A world in which she is determined to prove that she is not useless.

Briand is going to need all her cleverness to survive.

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Author Interview

What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

The part where I am daydreaming and brainstorming about the fantastical worlds that my stories are set in. My Frost Chronicles series had one of my favorite settings of all the stories I’ve written—a harsh, icy landscape of snow and forest, with monsters that came out only at night and were repelled by these strange blue flowers that bloomed even in the snow. It’s like getting to be a kid again when I am imagining what the story’s setting and world will be like. I love it.

What’s your least-favorite part of the writing process?

I loathe writing the end of a book. I don’t know why, but I find that final bit of the process excruciating. I guess I just don’t like ending things. I usually cope with chocolate and donuts.

What books have you read and loved lately?

I just finished The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and I adored it. Also, I recently devoured, and I mean devoured, Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. Don’t let the inspirational fiction-y title deter you. It’s a weird, beautiful, twisted fantasy and I am obsessed with it.

Best news you’ve heard all day?

I just read online that Disney is making a show about Loki for their new streaming site. And it will be played by Tom Hiddleston. Disney, take my money. Take all my money right now. Also, a record number of women were elected to Congress in the midterm elections, which is awesome.

What’s your favorite month and why is it October?

Seriously, I feel like we should just all accept the fact that October is objectively the best month of the year. It’s got fall. It’s got crisp mornings and blustery afternoons and that magical slant of the sunlight as the days get shorter. It’s got riots of color in the changing leaves. It’s got Halloween and hayrides and haunted houses. Anne Shirley didn’t want to live in a world without Octobers and neither do I. As a runner-up, I do like December despite the hectic insanity of the holidays.

Who is your ideal reader of your books?

My ideal reader is someone who loves young adult fantasy with strong and emotionally resilient heroines, quirky side characters, a bit of witty banter, and at least one or two unexpected twists or reveals. They might also be fans of Robin Mckinley, Megan Whalen Turner, Holly Black, Melina Marchetta, or Susan Ee.

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Kate Avery Ellison wishes she could live in a place where it's always October, but until that's possible, she makes her home in humid Atlanta with her husband, two children, and two cats. When she isn't dreaming up her next novel, Kate can be found binging her favorite shows on Netflix, reading on her Kindle, and dancing in her kitchen.

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Tour Schedule

(Links won't work until the posts go live.)

December 1st: Launch

December 2nd: Gillian Bronte Adams - The Songkeeper Chronicles

December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Mark of the Raven

December 4th: Evangeline Denmark - Curio

December 5th: Kate Avery Ellison - A Gift of Poison

December 6th: J.M. Hackman - Spark

December 7th: Ronie Kendig - Embers

December 8th: C.E. Laureano - Oath of the Brotherhood

December 9th: Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper

December 10th: Melissa McShane - Voyager of the Crown

December 11th: J. Ellen Ross - The Remembered Queen

December 12th: Jennifer Silverwood - Silver Hollow

December 13th: Melissa Wright - Blood & Brute & Ginger Root

December 14th: Morgan Wylie - The Age of Alandria Series

December 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize #1: Winner will receive a FIRE HD 8 TABLET along with the following ebooks (open to those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area can receive Kindle gifted copies of ebooks):

- CURIO, MARK OF BLOOD and ALCHEMY (The Curio Prequel), and THE ICE CHILD (a holiday novelette) by Evangeline Denmark

- A GIFT OF POISON by Kate Avery Ellison

- THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory

- SERVANT O THE CROWN or VOYAGER OF THE CROWN (winner's choice) by Melissa McShane

- THE REMEMBERED QUEEN by J. Ellen Ross

- SILVER HOLLOW by Jennifer Silverwood

- THE FREY SAGA (Books 1-3) ebook box set by Melissa Wright

Grand Prize #2: Winner will receive the following print books (open to continental US residents):

- ORPHAN'S SONG by Gillian Bronte Adams

- MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse

- SPARK by J.M. Hackman

- ABIASSA'S FIRE 3-book collection by Ronie Kendig

- The complete set of SONG OF SEARE TRILOGY by C.E. Laureano

- SILENT ORCHIDS by Morgan Wylie

Ends December 19, 2018

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12 Days of Clean Romance: Author Lucy McConnell & Giveaway

 

  

 Marrying Kiss Kringle: Frost 

Frost buried her face in her hands, feeling all the pressure to save Christmas. Neither Stella nor Robyn had the potential for love yet. They were starting from scratch. But she had more than potential; she had an invitation. It was up to her to find Tannon; get him to profess his love to her; and save her family, the North Pole, and Christmas for children all over the world. Oh, Tannon, I hope you're ready to love me. 

Frost Kringle broke one of the North Pole's rules the day she replied to a letter from Tannon Cebu; but, her Kringle-enhanced empathy wouldn't allow her to walk away from the anguish in his words. What began as a disobedient impulse grew into friendship and eventually love. If her secret romance is revealed, she'll be banished from her home and family. 

When the Kringles discover Christmas Magic is dangerously off balance, Frost musters up the courage to meet Tannon in person with the hope that they can marry and save Christmas. While she's away from her precious Letters Room, her secret is blown right open and she's exiled. In order to make it home for Christmas, Frost has to bring Christmas cheer to those who need it most. 

Tannon is tired of the corporate grind and wants out. He's decided to sell his paper mill and retire to a quiet corner where he can raise his son in peace. His announcement, right before the holidays, creates an uproar as employees wonder if they'll have a job in the New Year. No one in town feels like celebrating and they have little hope of a happy holiday. 

If Frost can get Tannon, and the town of Elderberry, to believe in Christmas once again, she'll make it home and save Santa's workshop from turning into a block of ice and ruining Christmas for children all over the world. Trouble arises when Tannon's interest turn to Frost more than to Christmas. She walks a tinsel-fine line between falling for him and failing in her Christmas quest. 

With her whole world out of balance, Frost must look deep inside herself to bring about a Christmas miracle--with a little help from her jolly family. 

  

Frost Kringle rubbed her arms. “It’s not my year. I’m the youngest. You two should find your husbands first,” she told her older, single sisters.

Robyn huffed. “Apparently, Christmas Magic doesn’t give a partridge in a pear tree about birth order. And I don’t, either. Come with us—just to get used to being south-er.”

Frost hesitated, searching for a polite way to tell them to jump out of a flying sleigh.

Stella took her hesitation as a silent agreement and forged on. “Perfect. Where should we go? I was thinking of heading back to Alaska.”

“No thanks.” Robyn popped another chocolate. “We need someplace new.”

Frost puzzled the question of where they should go. She puzzled it high and she puzzled it low. And while she puzzled, a strange thought came to be. A thought she thought just might be the key. She tried to hold it in, did her best to be good. But there was a part of Frost Kringle that never quite could.
“Oregon,” Frost whispered, staring off into space. “Elderberry, Oregon. That’s the place.”

Both her sisters stared at her. “Why there?” asked Stella.

Frost cleared her throat, breaking through the fog that had clouded her mind while at the same time giving herself clarity. She mentally stumbled to come up with an excuse that wouldn’t reveal her biggest and best-kept secret. “It’s got a large populate of single men. There’s a, um, paper company and mill and they make beautiful stationary.” Like cream envelopes with gold trim that bring the most wonderful letters.

Stella shrugged. “As long as it’s got men, I’m game.”

Robyn poked Stella in the arm. “That’s your problem—you need to be pickier.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

Frost held her breath. She’d dreamed and dreamed of going to Elderberry, of meeting Tannon, of finally seeing the man whose words had captured her heart. If she was a romantic, it was because each mail delivery included a little bit of romance just for her.

“No,” admitted Robyn.

“Okay, then.” Stella slapped her hand on the table. “Meeting adjourned. We’re going to Elderberry the day after tomorrow. Have your bags packed.”

Frost threaded her fingers together under the table, holding her hands tight, tight, tight in an effort to hold in her excitement as her sisters left the room. She was going to meet Tannon.

“I’m going to meet Tannon,” she said out loud. With a squeal, she threw her hands in the air.

This trip may be the best thing that ever happened to her, or it may be the ending of a long and special friendship. Either way, the time had come to meet her crush face-to-face.

   

I have loved all of Lucy McConnell's books, and this one definitely lived up to my expectations. 

 I love the other books in this series and this one did not disappoint. It was an enjoyable story that kept me reading late into the night. I can’t wait for next installment! 

I found Marrying Miss Kringle to be a fun and lovely read. It is light in nature with a feeling of watching one of those Lifetime Christmas movies, but only in book form. 

     

    

 

Author Lucy McConnell 

Award-winning author, Lucy McConnell, loves Christmas, romance, chocolate and Elvis. After graduating from the University of Utah, she became an editor at an advertising agency before moving on to teach in the marketing department of the local community college. She loved teaching and often misses the academic environment. Lucy retired from teaching and began to write articles and sweet romance novels. She has been published in national magazines, newspapers, short story compilations, and she writes cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock. If she's not at the computer, you can find her trying to keep up with her husband and four kids on the ski slopes, on a bike, in the kitchen, or on a horse.

  

 

   

     

Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 1/1/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

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12 Days of Clean Romance: Author Brooke St. James, Sale & Giveaway

 

  

So This is Love by Brooke St. James 

Abigail Spencer loved her job. She was a marine biologist who maintained some of Miami's most spectacular ponds and aquariums. She had the opportunity to travel around the city, meeting new people and working in beautiful locations. So, even though it was just another day at the office when she suddenly met the man of her dreams, she wasn't in an office at all. Every girl imagines meeting her prince charming. It's doubtful, however, that any of these fantasies include it happening when they're soaked with sweat and knee-deep in pond scum. Fate can be funny that way. 

    

"Oh, thank goodness!" Tori said when I walked into the office that morning. She was holding the phone to her ear, but she was talking to me as I approached her U-shaped reception desk. She stared at me from over her reading glasses, and she waved me forward like she had been anxiously awaiting my arrival. I was twenty minutes early, so I had no idea why she was so relieved. 

"Abigail's here now," she said to the person on the phone. "She just walked in. I'm looking at her right now. Okay, I'll tell her. Bye." 

I stood in front of Tori's desk and watched as she hung up the phone before looking at me with a relieved smile. 

"I'm so glad you're here." 

"I'm always here," I said cautiously. 

"I mean, I'm glad you're early. I was gonna call you and tell you to hurry. That was Lance. We have to rearrange your schedule today. He needs you to head out on a pond job… like right now. It's a priority."

    

This was definitely another winner! Loved Ash and Abigail and how their relationship grew. Brooke's books are always an instant click for me, I don't even have to read the blurb of what its about. I appreciate that she writes clean books and would recommend them highly. I've read everything she's written and can't wait for the next!! 

What a great book! The main characters' backgrounds are refreshingly original. So many romances are formulaic or copycats of other books out there. Additionally, the chemistry between Ash and Abigail is so strong it's practically tangible. This book is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Read it! 

I loved this book- when are the rest coming out?!?!?! I truly relate to Abigail as I am in a profession where I am usually more dirty than clean. I appreciate the religious aspect of the book without it being pushed hard, it's just part of the characters life. Thank you Brooke for amazing books and keeping them at a price that buying the entire series doesn't break my bank account!

     

 

 

Author Brooke St. James 

Brooke St. James is a bestselling author of contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs. 

  

 

 

Get copies of All In & Something Precious for just 99 cents! 

     

Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 1/1/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

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Review & Giveaway: Wager for a Wife by Karen Tuft

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

William Barlow's life has been forever altered: his estranged father is dead, and William has inherited the title of Viscount Farleigh. Along with the title comes a neglected estate, an enormous amount of gambling debt, and one astounding acquisition that will turn William's world upside down . . .

It is her first London Season, and Lady Louisa Hargreaves could not be more pleased. She has attracted the attention of the Earl of Kerridge, and the two are on the cusp of an official betrothal. That is, until she learns of a generations-old family debt: her grandfather gambled her hand in marriage and lost, and now Louisa must pay the price. She will marry not the earl but a man she just met, who has taken her freedom in one fell swoop. Even as she struggles to understand the handsome and aloof man she is to wed, Louisa is irresistibly drawn to him—and he to her. But she soon realizes he is harboring secrets, and as her wedding day approaches, she must discover what her future husband is hiding before she makes the gravest mistake of her life.

My Review

I enjoyed this Regency romance and the characters that came to life in their unusual circumstances. I loved the premise of the plot- the difficulties that both Louisa and William are dealing with, and the relationship that slowly develops between them, despite their differences. I learned some new details about the Regency era as new plot twists surfaced. A lovely romance with emotion, angst, tension, and a wonderful ending!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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