"Merlin's Blade" by Robert Treskillard - A Book Giveaway (courtesy of Heavenward Reviews)

Hello, my little stalkers! Noah over at Heavenward Reviews is hosting a giveaway for a paperback copy of Merlin's Blade by the fantastic Robert Treskillard! Check it out here!

God bless,

Brian

Introducing the world of "Paradox"!

Hey, all! I'd like to reveal to you the final draft of the map of Paragon to you! But first, I'll show you the original version! The first draft was simply a rough sketch, and it isn't on my computer, so you won't see it here.

Draft 2

I created this draft using the Windows application called Paint.

Final Draft

I sketched this draft in my sketchpad and then scanned it to my computer.

    Well, I do hope that you like this. The final draft is the version that you will find in the published book itself!

    So, do you plan to buy yourself a copy of Paradox when it is released?

God bless,

Brian

"The Land of Night" - A Poem

Here is a poem I wrote that I would like to share with you:

The Land of Night

by Brian McBride 

 

Hear the sound,

The Light has found,

The Darkness in dismay.

 

The Shadows flee,

The Warrior sees,

The Truth beyond the Gray.

 

The Light erupts,

The Dark disrupts,

The collision does ensue,

 

The Warrior rises,

And slays the guises,

of the Nemesis of Truth.

 

Beyond the veil

The Dark travails.

In Shadow it does hide.

 

It screams in fright,

And flees the Light.

No Darkness may abide.

 

In its dark abode

The Darkness bodes

A Sin beyond all sight.

 

And one day soon,

On unknown moon,

Shall die the Land of Night.

©Brian McBride 2013

I would love to hear your input!

God bless,
Brian

"Edgewood" by Karen McQuestion - A Book Review

    The night Russ Becker witnesses a strange astronomical event, his world changes forever. Before long Russ discovers he's developed incredible superpowers, and he's not the only one. Three other young people - beautiful Mallory, arrogant Jameson, and mysterious Nadia - have had the same experience and all of them now have powers of their own. Mallory can control peoples' minds; Jameson moves objects with his thoughts; and Nadia has empathic abilities. 

    At first, the four relish their new-found gifts, but things become serious when they learn they are being hunted by an organization that wants them for its own nefarious purposes. When Russ' family is threatened, he's forced into action. What transpires will change all of them in ways they never imagined. 

Wow. Just... wow. Edgewood by Karen McQuestion amazed me. Not only, is its cover a piece of irresistible eye-candy, but it is also an amazing journey.

    Told in the first person, Edgewood centers around Russ Becker, an almost-sixteen-year-old, and is a character you're sure to enjoy getting to know.

    From the beginning, I found myself enraptured by McQuestion's ability to describe every detail without intruding on the story-line or dialogue. Being written in first-person, the descriptions of Russ' surroundings felt more like the character's own observations, thus making it seem more realistic and less intrusive.

    This book features plot twist after plot twist and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as well as being sure to draw you into the characters' lives and thoughts.

    Sexual content - some crude comments are made, but nothing too overt.

        Languge - mild language scattered throughout. "b*st*rd" is used a few times; as well as "d*mn",    

        "s*cks", "p*ssed", and "h*ll".

        Violence - Little to none.

        Scary images - Little to none.

    This book is sure to be a hit among young adults and adults alike!

4 of 5 stars!

God bless,

Brian

Have you read Edgewood by Karen McQuestion yet? If so, what were your thoughts?

Book Cover of the Week #10

Hello, again! Ya'll know that today is Sunday, and therefore it is BCotW day!!! In commemoration of my latest review, I will show you this week's fantastic cover spotlight!!!

This weeks spectacular cover is...

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Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, Book 2) by Morgan Rhodes

The other day, I reviewed book one, Falling Kingdoms,(you can see my review here!) This was a fantastic book and a read it in less than 24 hours. I can't wait until book two comes out in December! And is its cover not THE BEST? EVER!? You can pre-order it here!

God bless,

Brian

"Falling Kingdoms" by Morgan Rhodes - A Book Review

WARNING Some spoilers contained in review! Continue reading at your own risk.

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power - brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined.

I'm warning you all, this book will take your heart, enrapture it, then crush it under its figurative feet. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes is an incredible, INCREDIBLE fantasy tale that will leave you breathless for more.

    Filled with intrigue, unexpected plot twists, in-depth mythology and magic, thorough world building, and political unrest, Falling Kingdoms is everything I could ever ask for in a book described as an "epic fantasy". This is the next best thing since Lord of the Rings or Narnia.

    I'll admit, though, I did find some minor flaws with this book. However, it was nothing that made me want to forgo reading it. At first, the writing style was a little spotty. The characters would be talking, but in between each spoken sentence, the author broke the trance to describe the comings and goings of the kingdom. Sure, this was fantastic in the world-building department, as it let you know every little thing about all three kingdoms. However, when this happens for the first 200 pages of the book, it does get a little tiresome, considering every time the author switches POV (Point-Of-View), she felt the need to repeat the exact same thing she described in the previous chapters.

    Alternatively, I found it easy to recover from this.

    Some say that Falling Kingdoms was annoyingly slow up until the last 100 pages. I am not one of those people. I would describe this book as more of a gradual build up to a much greater climax that is definitely worth waiting for. I admire the author's ability to let the plot flow naturally, rather than try to push it on quickly in an attempt to keep the book fast paced. And, rest assured, there is plenty of conflict midst the gradual build-up.

    I adored Cleo and Theon's relationship. I've heard it said that this is just pure lust. I disagree. Their feelings toward each other seem no different than feelings displayed by characters in other works of fiction. However, once their feelings were exposed to each other, things did kind of move a little too quickly for my taste. That is, until the tragic end.

    Now, down to the nitty gritty.

    Language - "B*st*rd" is used plenty of times, mostly in its literal form; "b*tch" is used a few times; "d*mn" is used three times, if I recall correctly; other mild language as well. (No s-words, or f-words, or their derivatives)

    Sexual Content - Next to none. *SPOILERS* It is revealed that one of the characters had a slip-up one night while under the influence of wine. Some crude comments are made.

    Violence - Plenty of violence and gore. Throats are slit, heads and limbs are severed, stabbing, and a major battle at the end.

    Scary Images - As listed in the violence category. Also, plenty of action and fighting.

    Overall, I forgive the author for her overuse of the word "b*st*rd", for she balances that off very well with an exceptional story. I cannot wait until its sequel, Rebel Spring, is released on December 3rd of this year. That's a long wait!

    Thank you, Ms. Rhodes, for writing a story that has brought great joy to my life! And I cannot forget to mention that AWESOME cover!!!

5 of 5 stars!!!

God bless,

Brian

Have you read Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes yet? If so, what were your thoughts?