Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: DawnKing by Janalyn Voigt #DawnKingTour

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

DawnKing
(Tales of Faeraven #4)
By Janalyn Voigt
Fantasy, Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 342 Pages
February 1st 2020 by Pelican Book Group

A prince marked for death, a princess without a kingdom, and a world at war.

Unlikely travelers band together to accomplish the impossible—bring peace to their kingdom. But traitorous forces are at work, and a treacherous hand is destroying everything they accomplish.
Honor and soul-searching bring the travelers to hidden truth, and when a sacrifice is made, the broken-hearted band of misfits must cleanse the evil from their midst to free their world...or lose everything.

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Excerpt

“Easy now.” The wind buffeted Kai’s face as he leaned forward to put a hand on his winged horse’s shoulder. Battle cries, explosions, and screams littered the air. Repressing his own urge to bolt, he turned Flecht to meet the welke riders approaching from Torindan. Regret flooded him. Both he and his wingabeast would die. Torindan would fall this day, thrusting the once-united Kindren kingdoms into confusion.

Conquering the high hold of Faeraven would not appease Freaer’s blood lust. A stronghold could fall and be rebuilt, as Freaer himself had proven at Pilaer. Ah, but a heart, once silenced, would never beat again. While the Lof Shraen of Faeraven and the daughter he’d named his heir remained alive, Freaer would not rest.

Elcon and Mara had been among those who’d escaped with him from Torindan. If he had anything to say in the matter, they would yet avoid capture. Surviving a clash with two of Freaer’s finest seemed unlikely, but Kai could delay the assassins.

The giant raptor birds flapped their ragged wings and snapped the air with pointed beaks in a display of ferocity. Sunlight gleamed along their rider’s swords, no doubt honed to wicked sharpness.

Kai’s skin crawled. Garbed in the red of Freaer’s elite assassins, the welke riders glared at him across the intervening distance, a space closing with alarming speed.

Kai touched the reins against his wingabeast’s neck, all it took to tilt Flecht sideways and away. The wind snatched at Kai’s breath, and he turned his face to breathe. Silver wings fanned around him and stroked downward. The wingabeast leveled in flight.

Bloodcurdling shrieks rent the air, the welkes’ hunting cry.

Kai’s heart raced, and he looked back. Both riders were following, one pulling ahead of the other. Flecht’s course carried them above the forest that stretched across Elder lands to the sea. He guided Flecht lower, ready to duck beneath the tree canopy. Tiny, flitling birds darted through kaba leaves so thick they left no gap. If he tried to break through the screen of leaves and branches here, Flecht’s feathers would shred. Only one choice remained.

He drew his sword and turned to meet the attack. The hiss of flight feathers reached him along with the stench of the assassin’s sweat. Flecht shuddered but held. Metal grated against metal with jarring force.

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Janalyn Voigt is a writer and professional speaker with a photography habit and a passion for travel. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries readers into a land only imagined in dreams. She is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a Tales of Faeraven bookmark and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (US only)
Ends January 29, 2020

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Review: Andrew by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim’s family business has earned them the nickname The Peanut Butter Brothers. But if their matchmaking younger siblings have their way, all three may soon bear another title: husband . . .

Handsome, hardworking, and godly, Andrew Petersheim has always been sure of his place in his Wisconsin Amish community. He’ll be a welcome catch for the local girl who finally captures his heart. Mary Coblenz certainly isn’t that girl. Two years after “jumping the fence” for the Englischer world, she’s returned, unmarried and pregnant. Yet instead of hiding in shame as others in the community expect, she’s working at the Honeybee Farm, ignoring the gossips—and winning over Andrew’s eight-year-old twin brothers . . .

For all Andrew’s certainty about right and wrong, it seems he has a lot to learn from Mary’s courage, grace, and resilience. She’s changing his notions about forgiveness and love, but will she in turn accept the challenge of starting over and choose to stay—with him?

My Review

This book was absolutely delightful!!! The show was totally stolen by Andrew's eight year old brothers, Alfie and Benji, who are the most entertaining matchmakers ever! Their perspective and hilariously clever antics were my favorite parts that had me smiling and giggling out loud. Mary's confusing presence in Andrew's life challenges the way he thinks and even though he tries to avoid dealing with his conflicting feelings, his little brothers make sure he keeps having interactions with Mary. As he stumbles through his journey of enlightenment on judgement, repentance, and forgiveness, he also learns from Mary's example about compassion, kindness, understanding, and love. Mary also sees the goodness in Andrew and his genuine efforts to reconcile traditional Amish ways with putting into action the teachings of Christ. It's a slow-growing sweet romance, with nice character arcs for both Andrew and Mary, and an amazing supporting cast with Mary's champion Aunt Bitsy (from the Honeybee Sisters series) and Andrew's sincere yet incorrigible brothers.

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

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Don't miss the next two books in the Petersheim Brothers series . . .

Book Two

Book Three

Releases June 2020: Available for pre-order

Review: When I Come Home Again by Jennifer Rodewald

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When a family crisis calls him back to Big Prairie, will Craig Erikson be able to work through past mistakes and the tragedy that had sent him searching for a new place to call home?

Brenna Blaum had been sure of three things in her life—her brother, her running, and her dad’s star receiver. But in a matter of a year’s time, everything she’d counted on fell apart, leaving her devastated. Seven years later, she’s stable again. She has a supportive boyfriend, fulfilling career, and close friends. She keeps her past heartache where it belongs—in her rearview mirror. Until the man who broke her heart finds his way back to Big Prairie.

Craig Erikson had it all—popularity, success, and the love of his high school coach’s daughter. But after a year of mistakes that ended in a tragic accident, he’d left Big Prairie—the place he’d thought to always call home—hoping that without his antagonizing presence, Brenna would be able to heal. Now his mother desperately needs him, as do two young boys in her care. Craig has little choice but to return for good.

Unsure that she can forgive him, Brenna does her best to avoid him. Irritated that she ignores him as if they’d never meant anything to each other, Craig becomes determined not to allow it.

Life in a small town forces their interaction, making them confront their unresolved issues and igniting emotions that have smoldered for seven years. As Craig and Brenna are pushed together, can they endure the hard places still littering their lives? If so, is it possible to find their way back to love and home again?

My Review

I've never been so happy to have a happy ending! I enjoyed the characters and the complex dynamics of their relationships, but holy angst! Craig's reappearance in town and promptings from her psychiatrist boyfriend bring long-repressed emotions to the surface, even though Brenna does not want to deal with them. I've learned that fighting against feelings makes life even more difficult, and it's not until Brenna acknowledges that she needs to process them and seek the healing of forgiveness that she begins her journey towards peace. Craig is struggling with so much change in his life- a new job, his mother fighting cancer, and becoming the father-figure to two foster children. Memories from their past filled with both joy and heartache are revisited and revealed throughout the book and the reader gradually sees how strong their connection was, and the mistakes both made that tore them apart. The message of forgiveness and redemption is strong and the story is full of emotion as Craig and Brenna find their way back to each other slowly.

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

Review: Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Twelve days, nine women, and the challenge to not fall in love. He’d have nothing to worry about, if his best friend weren’t one of the nine.

Matthew Pratt wouldn’t change a thing about his life—especially when he learns his childhood friend, Meg, will be joining him and his family for the holiday season. To make matters even better, his mother promises to no longer push him to marry, so long as Matthew meets with nine ladies of her choosing between Christmas and Twelfth Night. For an added prize from his father, Matthew must also keep from falling in love with any of the ladies. Unable to say no to a challenge, Matthew agrees, but that is before he realizes that Meg is numbered with the nine.

Meg Baker has always loved Matthew as a friend, but only recently has she discovered that her feelings are growing beyond that of simple camaraderie. Anxious to discover Matthew’s own feelings, Meg decides to draw as much attention to herself as possible during Christmastide, all before he returns to school.

As the holiday festivities begin, however, and Matthew takes an interest in other women—a great deal of other women—Meg fears she is too late to win his affection. But when a change comes in their relationship, Matthew must decide if he will remain comfortably single forever—or if Meg is worth the risk of a happily ever after.

My Review

Oh what fun! A Regency Christmas story with all the traditions! Matthew's meddling mother puts him in a situation that has him looking like a bit of a player, while Meg is stuck in the friend zone harboring an unrequited love. He just wants to spend his holidays with his friends, but now he is stuck humoring the local ladies, and Meg is losing patience. I was losing patience with him too, and Meg was starting to come off as a bit pathetic, until he begins to think of more than himself and his perspective matures. It's funny that he doesn't suspect his mother of craftiness and his father of just trying to mix things up a bit, but everyone gets the ending they want after enduring some good holiday angst.

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Belles of Christmas series . . .

Review: To Love a Governess (Timeless Regency Collection) by Josi S. Kilpack, Heather B. Moore, Julie Daines

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Governesses are not supposed to fall in love. Governesses are not supposed to marry. Governesses don't always follow society's conventions.

Til’ All the Seas Gang Dry by Josi S. Kilpack
It has been six years since Dina left London and David and whatever fantasy she had allowed to grow in the months of flirtation that had nearly overtaken them both. Now, David is getting married and he and his fiancé are guests at the home where Dina works as a governess. Convinced the connection they felt was nothing more than childhood fancy, Dina is taken by surprise to find that her feelings have not changed, and, she fears, David’s have not either. Still, she is determined not to interfere with the life he has worked so hard to build … until she realizes that his fiancé is not nearly as committed to him as he is to her. No one will trust her motivations for revealing the truth, not even David, and she could ruin everything she had built here, but if it spares David heartbreak, is it worth the sacrifice?

The One-Year Governess by Heather B. Moore
When Emmeline Finch's best friend becomes betrothed to the man Emmeline had picked out for herself, she decides she needs to get away for one year. Her aunt has the perfect solution. Become a governess for two children who are under the guardianship of their uncle, Captain Jasper Ridout. But when Emmeline arrives at the home, she finds the Captain not at all ancient as she assumed, but a man only a handful of years older than she, and most certainly single.

Visible by Julie Daines
Orphaned at a young age, Sarah Woolsey’s prospects for a meaningful future are grim, especially as a housemaid in the home of the handsome but aloof Arthur Selwood. When an abandoned child is left at Mr. Selwood’s door, Sarah is elevated from housemaid to governess in the blink of an eye. But with a man she’s running from closing in, Sarah is desperate to escape. Leaving would mean breaking the trust of the child she’s come to love, not to mention her growing attachment to Mr. Selwood.

My Review

Another wonderful collection of stories from some of my favorite authors! Each is unique and full of vibrant and interesting characters, with dilemmas and struggles and sacrifices. The position of a governess in society is kind of a floating middle ground between the upper and lower classes, and their future could go either way, depending on their connections. The stories were each long enough to feel more substantial than a regular novella, and I loved the way both the characters and plot had space to develop. I enjoyed them all equally, and plan to re-read this collection again in the future when I'm in a reading rut ;)

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

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Regency Romance: To Love a Governess is a Timeless Romance Anthology® book

Timeless Regency Collections:
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A HOLIDAY IN BATH
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN
WEDDING WAGERS
AN EVENING AT ALMACK'S
A WEEK IN BRIGHTON

Timeless Romance Anthology® is a registered trademark of Mirror Press, LLC

Review: Saving Miss Everly by Sally Britton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Pretending she's her twin gets complicated when Hope is shipwrecked with a handsome castaway. When rescue comes, will she risk her heart to confess the truth or will they part forever?

Pretending to be her sister, Hope Everly finds an adventure at last. The Caribbean's warm waters and tropical islands fulfill nearly all her dreams. When an excursion to visit another island with a naturalist expedition is interrupted by a storm, Hope is stranded on a desert island where she and her fellow castaways are dependent on a handsome stranger for their survival.

Alejandro Córdoba, trapped and alone on the island long enough to give up all dreams of rescue, knows nothing of what has become of his war-torn homeland or his family. When he finds the beautiful Miss Everly washed up on the shore, along with her companions, he does not know if their arrival is a blessing or a curse.

Hope's behavior, acting one way with Alejandro and another with her friends, further confuses things when they begin to fall in love. If rescue ever comes, will telling Alejandro the truth mean losing him forever?

My Review

Marooned on a tropical island is not the setting or plot I expected when I picked up this Regency romance, but the author took me to a place and situation outside the norm and it was all the more interesting because of it. While most of Hope's companions try to maintain society's manners and strictures, Hope's more adventurous spirit embraces the situation and appreciates the freedom and connection she feels with Alejandro. I didn't get the best impression of Hope in the previous book, Saving Grace, so it was nice to be able to get inside her head and see what is driving her impetuousness. I think Alejandro is the perfect match for her, and their unusual "courtship" fits their standout personalities. I was satisfied with the way their relationship difficulties resolved in the end, when it didn't seem like a happily ever after was possible. I recommend reading this series in order (although they could be read as stand alones) and I can't wait for the next one!

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Inglewood series . . .

(Available for pre-order)

Review: Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper D. Basham

Book Two in the Mitchell's Crossroads series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Rainey Mitchell is doing just fine. She has a great job helping children in need, her family is around her, she is mother to a fabulous little girl, and is getting over the betrayal of her ex-husband. Dr. Alex Murdock is not doing so well, as he is forced to work at a rural university, his life is full of secrets surrounding his family, and he has to start over in a new town. Luckily, Rainey, the daughter of his landlord, is there to get him settled. Rainey just wants to stay away from the new professor, who has the same charm as her ex. Unfortunately, they seem to need each other. Rainey needs his grant-writing ability to save her program, and Alex is terrible at the lecturing at which Rainey excels. The two must work together to fulfill their goals, but will they be able to do it? Rainey's insecurities and Alex's obsession with protecting his family could be their undoing.

My Review

This one started slow for me- although I liked the characters, there was quite a bit of internal musing and not much action beyond daily mundane life. I almost moved on to a different book, but I'm glad I stuck with it because the pace did increase as events and life got more interesting and the dynamic between Rainey and Alex deepened. There are some laugh out loud scenes as well as toe-curling kisses in between the sweet moments with Rainey's daughter, Rainey's fight to keep her clinic open, Alex's struggles with teaching, and his growing joy in his new rural circumstances. I liked seeing how Alex valued the way he felt around Rainey's family and also the peace he felt as he turned to God. Rainey also undergoes a lot of growth as she learns to not judge men based on her ex and opens her heart to the chance for a love that won't betray her.

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

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Check out the other books in the Mitchell's Crossroads series . . .

Book One

Book Three