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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Charlie the Cavalier Printable Image Review




 Charlie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dancing Image

Sweet artwork for your little ones room.

A high-resolution 8x10" jpeg file will be available for download immediately following purchase.  An art print of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel name Charlie from the book Charlie the Cavalier Begs for Attention.

* High quality, full-color* Size: 8" x 10"

::: Copyright Information :::

All of the materials received in your purchase are copyrighted by Lisa Rusczyk and Magdalena Takáčová, all rights reserved. For personal use only. These files are for personal use only. The files or designs cannot be shared or used commercially or resold for profit. Marley Design retains all rights.

If you'd like a different size or color, please send a message before purchase.

:::: { PLEASE NOTE } ::::

Colors may vary slightly between monitors and printers. No item will be shipped.

 My review;

These are the greatest ideas ever. It is very expensive to get a picture for a child's room that they will outgrow or start to dislike pretty quick. It is so much more cost effective to print a picture from your computer, and you do not have to shop around at the store. They are adorable and they add color to the room. My children really loved them.  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Traitor's Heir by Anna Thayer Book Review Tour


The Traitor's Heir
(The Knight of Eldaran #1)
By author: Anna Thayer

Pages: 
544
Size: 
5 x 7.75 inches
Published: 
2014
Rights: 
NA
Imprint: 
Lion Fiction



Description:
Every man has a destiny. His is to betray.
Like many from his village, young Eamon Goodhand dreamed of joining the Gauntlet, the army of the overlord Eldered. Now he is about to complete his training and swear his loyalty to Eldered and his commanders, the Hands, who uphold Eldered’s tight control of the land.
Entering into the service of the Gauntlet, Eamon’s gifts, particularly his potent Sight, quickly become valuable to his superiors and he advances to the command rank at a speed that arouses the suspicions of fellow officers.
However, Eldered’s bloody rule, and Eamon’s personal friendships, start to challenge the young soldier’s assumptions about what might be true, and worthy of service. And soon Eamon must conceal a fatal secret: he is sworn to both Eldered and to Hughan, the rightful king of the land. Yet he may not forswear the vows he has uttered in all good faith so however he serves, his name will be traitor.
As tensions and military skirmishes increase, Eamon finds himself trusted by both his masters. How can he possibly maintain his integrity, act justly to his fellow officers of the Gauntlet, and act on behalf of all the warring people of the land?
Third in series, The Broken Blade, is coming soon.



Reviews
Review   Publishers Weekly - April 28, 2014
"In Thayer’s debut novel, soldier Eamon Goodman is entangled in a power struggle between the Serpent King of the wayfarers and the Master of the River Realm. Sworn to loyalty to the Master through the Gauntlet, his armed forces, Eamon is presented with an alternative history of his master’s political ascent that forces him to reconsider his fealty when he is captured by the enemy. When he is sent back to Dunthruik, the Master’s city, he returns as a traitorous informant for the Serpent King, rising quickly through the ranks of the Gauntlet. Thayer paints Eamon as a psychologically complex character who doubts the validity of the oaths that he has sworn. Eamon finds comfort in the gratification and immediate glory for his deeds in the Gauntlet. This deeply conflicts with his moral desire to contain the violence inflicted on wayfarers and the faith needed to believe in a King whom he never sees or hears from. The first book in this trilogy offers a thrilling story fraught with uncertainty and betrayal, asking readers to consider the nature of loyalty and to reflect on the difference between thought and action."



My review;
This is the first book in this trilogy called The Knight of Eldaran. This novel was a very interesting book to read. Eamon Goodman has realized too late that he has made a huge mistake. He needs to decide who he will help, thus betraying the other that he has pledged his allegiance to. Although this may seem easy a lot of times it is not as easy as one thinks to betray another. What does loyalty really mean and what is it worth?  I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book by Kregel Publications and all opinions are my own.

A Portrait for Toni by Annette Lyon Book Blast and Giveaway

  A Portrait for Toni book coverA Portrait for Toni by Annette Lyon Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? When Toni’s father lands in the hospital, Carter, as always, is there for her. That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, the hot new guy at the studio, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away—then instantly regrets it. One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. Instead of finding Carter, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
Praise for the Book "I finished this book several days ago and have since read another book, but I cannot get this one off of my mind. It was so genuine, thought provoking and the love story was such a good one. There were times when I cried, felt anxiety for the main characters, laughed and felt my heart breaking. . . . I want to go back and read it again because having finished it, I feel a loss, like I lost my best friend. It really was so excellent, and one of the best books I have read in a long time." -Brookeyloo on Amazon "I loved the characters in this book they were so real. I found myself relating in some instances to the characters. I laughed, cried, and got mad with them. I loved reading Toni's journey, and seeing the strength she had to push through it. It was heartbreaking to picture what she was going through. I loved how Annette made that part so real. . . . Annette did a wonderful job with the hard subject in the story. She brought humor at times when it was needed. She also did an amazing job bringing it all together at the end! I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, it will touch your heart. I stayed up late just to finish it! It was definitely worth it!!" - Amie loves to Read on Amazon "Annette Lyon at her best. A Portrait of Toni has everything I love about a book. Real issues that will make you cry, smile and the love of a true friend. A book you can't out down because you feel you need to read on as to help Toni get through this. You will find yourself quickly in her life and dreams as you want so much to be there to help her. . . . A must read book." -Linda Young on Amazon   add to goodreads Excerpt “Now you tell me about your ultimate dream. Do you still see yourself as a famous artist living out of a penthouse in Paris? Or is it Rome now?” Carter couldn’t take his eyes from Toni’s. He wished she could hear his thoughts, know his feelings. “My dreams aren’t too different from yours. I’d love to settle down with a wife, be a dad, have kids.” He gazed into her eyes. Figure it out! “Hey, here’s an idea,” Toni said with a laugh. “In another ten years if we’re both single, let’s get married. What do you say?” She put out her hand as if to seal the deal, but Carter just laughed sardonically. Great. She was making a mockery of the one thing he hoped for. She lowered her hand. “What, am I that repulsive?” “Of course not.” Carter’s mind was spinning. What could he say that was both true and hid the truth at the same time? “I can’t see either of us marrying without—‌” He cut off, but Toni smiled, seeming to know what he meant. “Without what, romance? Falling madly in love? All that stuff is highly overrated. Trust me, I’ve been there.” She shook her head derisively. All that stuff was hard to deal with when the object of your feelings didn’t return them. He’d been there. “Do the math, Toni. In ten years, you’ll be thirty-seven. You may not be able to get in two or three kids.” “Then I’ll settle for one.” She punched his shoulder. “We could even adopt kids to avoid the whole ‘we’re not in love’ issue.” “Oh, right,” he said, rolling his eyes. She raised her eyebrows provocatively. “Fine. We can be married... with benefits.” She laughed. His face went hot; he had to turn around so she wouldn’t see his reaction. No way did he want her guessing how much he wanted to hold her, wake up beside her — ‌make children together. He leaned against the car and laughed along. With any luck, it sounded natural. Instead of shaking on the deal or giving her a direct answer, he opened her car door so she could get in. And so he could escape. She sat down and put her purse on the passenger seat. “Thanks for inviting me.” “You bet. Talk to you later.” Carter watched her drive off. When she waved, he lifted one hand and did the same. You’re killing me, Toni.   annette lyon



Author Annette Lyon Annette Lyon is a Whitney Award winner (Band of Sisters, Best General Fiction 2010). She has also been a Whitney finalist two other times, for Spires of Stone (2007) and Paige (2012). She has received Utah’s Best of State medal for literary arts in fiction twice (2007 and 2013) in addition to five publication awards from the League of Utah Writers, most recently the Silver Quill Award in 2013. She’s published well over a hundred articles and more than a dozen books, including novels, novellas, a cookbook, and a grammar guide. She’s one of the coauthors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series and one of the standing contributors to the Timeless Romance Anthology collections. When she’s not mothering, writing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found ignoring the spots on the kitchen floor.  
  book blast button       Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/24/14 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 will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway -- ~Inspired Kathy~

Murder at Cold Creek College by Christa Nardi Book Tour, Book Review,and Giveaway





murder at cold creek college  large banner640

Murder at Cold Creek College
by Christa Nardi


Murder at Cold Creek College
(Cold Creek #1)

Cozy Mystery
File Size: 632 KB
Print Length: 340 pages
ASIN: B00FQ748GO
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SYNOPSIS:
Sheridan Hendley is a professor and psychologist, not a sleuth. When her colleague at Cold Creek College, Adam Millberg, is murdered, she is charged with helping the Detective assigned to the case. Immediately, her good friend becomes the prime suspect and Sheridan is motivated to help solve the case and prove Kim isn’t guilty. It also becomes apparent that Sheridan is attracted to the handsome Detective. As Sheridan tries to implement the crisis plan on campus and connect all the people in Adam’s life, she finds that many women have a motive for Adam’s murder. Slashed tires are the first indication that Sheridan’s involvement is obviously making someone nervous.
Christa1
 
 
 
About This Author
Christa Nardi is and always has been an avid reader. Her favorite authors have shifted from Carolyn Keene and Earl Stanley Gardner to more contemporary mystery/crime authors over time, but mystery/crime along with romance are her preferred choices for leisure reading. Christa also has been a long time writer from poetry and short stories growing up to technical, research, and nonfiction in her professional life. With Murder at Cold Creek College, Christa is joining many other reader/writers in writing one genre she enjoys reading – the cozy mystery. Christa Nardi is a pen name for a real life professor/psychologist from the Northeast.
Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christa.nardi.5
Blog: Christa Reads and Writes (christanardi.blogspot.com)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257539.Christa_Nardi?from_search=true
Purchase Link
AMAZON

Tour Participants
July 28 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
July 29 – Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Review
July 30 – readalot blog – Review
July 31 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Review
August 1 – Back Porchervations – Review
August 2 – Deal Sharing Aunt – Review
August 3 – Queen of All She Reads – Review
August 4 – Cicero’s Children – Review
August 5 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Interview
August 6 – The Book Junkie – Review
August 7 – Brooke Blogs – Review
August 8 – A Blue Million Books – Interview




: a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review;

This was a charming novel that I really enjoyed reading. The author has given us Dr. Sheridan Hendley, who is a professor at Cold Creek College.  Even though she is not a mystery solver she is pulled into a murder investigation  for a murder that took place at the college where she works. that took place at the college.

I really liked that storyline and the different things that happen to our main character.  While she is concerned about her friend being blamed for the murder she starts to find herself attracted to the Detective who is working on solving the case.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a mystery, suspenseful with a bit of romance thrown in. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book by the author for the purpose of  a review. All opinions are my own.

Forget Me Not Shadowflesh Series Book 2 by Shawn Martin Book Tour and Giveaway




Forget Me Not

Shadowflesh Series

Book 2

Shawn Martin



Genre: Young Adult Paranormal






Date of Publication: March 31, 2014



ISBN: 0989063232

ASIN: B00IKZTVUC



Number of pages: 308

Word Count: 73,500



Cover Artist: Elaina Lee



Book Description:



Fortune has smiled on seventeen year old Aileen McCormick ever since Addison came back into her life, giving her the love she has so desperately longed for. That is, until a mysterious man slithers across her path and slips a spellbinding cameo around her neck. The cameo holds more than just the image of an enchantress who hungers for souls. It possesses a curse that strangles away every memory Aileen has of Addison.



Addison, a three hundred year old fugitive from the netherworld, recognizes the wretched woman inside the cameo and the curse she has cast on his unsuspecting love. The enchanted cameo has but one purpose: to torment Aileen with hints of love she can no longer recall.



Aileen cannot escape the deadly cameo. She runs for her life with the curse only a breath away. If she truly wants her memory back, the enchantress is all too willing to restore it. It will cost her, though. Cost her everything.






About the Author:



Shawn Martin calls Springfield, Missouri, home. After graduating from Missouri State University with majors in Economics and Political Science, he bounced around the Midwest only to end up right where he started.



His day (and night) job is being a firefighter. Aside from rescuing cats in trees and removing burnt pot roasts from ovens, he spends his time finding the hardest way to do the simplest of things. The rest of his time is spent weaving words into another installment in the Shadowflesh Series. Visit www.shadowflesh.com for a look into the author and his work.






twitter: @martiniaff152
















Tour giveaway 10 print or ebook copies of the book – winner’s choice (Print US Shipping Only) 10 bookmarks (ebook marks available, print bookmarks US Shipping Only)









a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ondine Quartet Book 4 Breaker by Emma Raveling Cover Reveal

CoverReveal_July31 (1)
This is the cover reveal for Breaker by Emma Raveling, the fourth book in the Ondine Quartet, an upper Young Adult Urban Fantasy series. 

Breaker

War. Prophecy. Freedom.

She fought for herself. She fought for friendship and love. Now, Kendra Irisavie fights for the survival of her world.

War rages on, leaving no one untouched. Destruction rips through elemental communities and terror flourishes in its wake. Suspicion soars, order fractures, and loyalties crumble despite Kendra’s desperate attempts to protect everyone she holds dear.

 When an organized Aquidae army launches a series of merciless assaults, Kendra and her friends set out to end the bloodshed once and for all. With the fate of elementals hanging in balance, the Shadow and sondaleur hunt each other down in a brutal match of cunning and will.

 Kendra has trained for this her entire life. But in a ravaged world where trust is scarce and no life is sacred, she soon realizes her battle may be against an invincible enemy and that her darkest days lie ahead.

 Twists and turns shape her harrowing odyssey, leading to a stunning climax that challenges everything she believes in.

 Torn between destiny and autonomy, Kendra must finally decide whether the cost of freedom is too high.

 Heartbreaking decisions, turbulent alliances, and shattering revelations collide in Breaker, the
explosive conclusion to the Ondine Quartet.


Tell us about the covers in this series.

The main novels of the Ondine Quartet (Whirl, Billow,Crest, Breaker) have conceptual covers. Each cover’s imagery captures a particular theme or motif in the book, and the coloring conveys a sense of the story’s mood and emotional arc.

The shorter works/novellas in the series (Ondine,Chevalier, and Warrior Prince) are essentially character portraits and are told through the eyes of different characters in the series. Those covers use models.

The goal for Breaker’s cover was to visually convey high stakes, explosive energy, and a brilliant, sharp intensity.This is the epic finale to the series and everything that has happened in previous books has led to this moment.

Out of all the covers in the series, this one took the most amount of work. My designer and I went back and forth multiple times, going through several drastically different versions before finally arriving at the right
imagery and coloring.


How does it feel to end a series?

It’s bittersweet. A part of me is thrilled to share the end of Kendra’s journey with readers. I’ve had the entire series planned since the very beginning so finally releasing what’s been in my head is a relief.

But the process of writing this final book has been a highly emotional one. There’s a personal attachment to the work itself. I’ve spent countless hours thinking and living with these characters and with this world over the past four years. It’s difficult to bring not only Kendra’s story, but my journey with her story,to an end.

A few easy questions:

Top 3 books?

Only 3?? Argh! There are so many books I love for different reasons and my list of favorites is always changing, depending on what’s going on in my life. Right now, if I had to name three, they’d be:

1. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

3. And of course, the Harry Potter series


Top 5 movies?

1. Aviator

2. Mulholland Drive

3. The Matrix

4. The Breakfast Club

5. Okay, I couldn’t just pick five. So the last one is a tie between The Usual Suspects, Reservoir Dogs, Star Wars (ep. 4-6), and Catch Me If You Can.

Top 5 places in the world you enjoy visiting?
1.New York City
2.Tokyo
3.Paris
4.Kauai Island (Hawaii)
5.Berlin


Top 5 foods?
1.Fresh basil pesto – I’ll add this on anything
2.Sashimi (Japanese-style raw fish)
3.Dark chocolate
4.Jamón ibérico(Spanish ham)
5.And my terrible guilty pleasure: pizza



Author Bio:
Emma Raveling writes a wide variety of fiction for teens and adults. Hopelessly addicted to coffee and diet coke, she is the author of the Ondine Quartet and Chancer young adult series, and is currently working on the first book in her new Steel Magic series for adults.

 Previous Novels:

whirl_500billowcover_500Crest_500
   

Previous Novellas:

ondine_500chevalier_500WarriorPrince_500
 
This event was organized by:

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Louder Than Words by Iris St. Clair Cover Reveal





Louder Than Words
Release Date: 09/16/14
Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:
Disappointment has been on speed dial in Ellen Grayson's life lately. Her dad's dead, her mom is numbing the grief with drugs and alcohol, and her so-called friends are slowly abandoning her. Trusting a popular teacher with her troubles should have been safe, shouldn't have led to an unwelcome seduction attempt, shouldn't have sent her running to the girls' bathroom for the final moments of her Junior year. Lesson learned. Best to keep all the sordid details of her life to herself.


Enter Rex Jacobi, a cocky teen recently transplanted from New York and fellow summer camp employee. Though his quick wit and confidence draws her in, she's not letting him get too close, not til she's sure she can trust him. By the time Rex's charming persistence wears down her resistance, it's too late. He's put Ellen on the perma-pal shelf and shifted his romantic attentions to her arch-rival. Even worse, the teacher who tried to seduce her is still misbehaving with impunity.

With her ability to trust as shaky as a chastity vow on prom night, Ellen must decide if she has enough remaining courage to speak up about her teacher and risk retribution, to tell Rex how she feels and risk heartbreak, or hold all her secrets inside, the only safe place she knows.







About the Author
Iris St. Clair is the pen name for a long-suffering cubicle worker by day, a Walter Mitty-like dreamer by night. (Her alter ego Tatiana Ivanadance also choreographs gravity-defying routines in those fantasies, but that's another bio.)
No matter what genre she writes, she prefers witty, insecure heroines and kind, persistent heroes able to break through to the gooey heart inside.
In high school she was voted most likely to win at Monopoly and Clue, but least likely to throw a ball anywhere near a target. Thank goodness writing requires less hand-eye coordination, punctuation errors notwithstanding.

Iris believes in the two-year "fish or cut bait" dating rule and has a 20+ year marriage and two teenaged sons as proof of concept. She lives, writes, dreams and dances in the rainy Portland, OR area.

Author Links:
 photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png  photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png  photo iconpinterest_zps6fcf02a7.png

Book Blitz Organized by:

Echoes of Paradise by Deanna Kahler Blog Tour and Giveaway





Echoes of Paradise

The Afterlife Series

Book 1

Deanna Kahler



Genre: Paranormal Romance / Visionary Fiction



Publisher: Rose Petal Publications



Date of Publication: Originally Released 1/1/2014

Reprint / New Cover 6/21/2014



ISBN: 978-0615863399

ASIN: B00HT2KX2C



Number of pages: 228

Word Count: 54,937



Book Description:



Connor’s dead. But she can still feel him. Is it just her imagination or something more? Celeste wants to know. And she’ll stop at nothing to find out.



A once-aspiring artist, Celeste is going through the motions of life. She’s stuck – in a job she doesn’t love, with a man who isn’t right for her, in a web of painful memories from the past. Adding to her despair is the sudden and unexpected death of Connor, her true love. As she struggles to make sense of the world around her, strange coincidences and mysterious events lead her to question her sanity. When the happenings persist, she wonders if Connor’s spirit is trying to tell her something. Her jealous husband Dave insists it’s all just her imagination. But when Celeste’s young son has an experience of his own, she is determined to uncover the truth.



Join Celeste as she risks her marriage, her career, and her own safety to escape the demons from her past and unravel the mysteries of life and death. With so much uncertainty, there’s only one thing Celeste knows: her world will never be the same.






Available at Amazon and BN

About the Author:



Deanna Kahler is an accomplished writer and proud mom. Her work has been published in numerous corporate newsletters and magazines across the country. She began writing as a young child and enjoys the opportunity to reach others and make a difference in their lives.



Echoes of Paradise is her second book. The story is close to her heart because it was inspired by some of her own experiences. Deanna is now working on a follow-up novel, Visions of Mortality, scheduled for release in 2015. The book will feature some of the same characters and also have a paranormal/afterlife theme.



Deanna holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she graduated with departmental honors. She lives with her husband and daughter in a Metro Detroit suburb and enjoys writing, dancing, walking, and visiting parks in her spare time.



For more information, please visit www.deannakahler.com




























Tour giveaway Paperback – 5 copies US only 5 ebook copies, will gift on Amazon





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Changeling's Crown by Juli D. Revezzo Blog Tour and Giveaway







Changeling’s Crown

Juli D. Revezzo



Genre: upper YA/New Adult paranormal romance



Publisher: Raven Queen Publications



Date of Publication: June 2014



ISBN: 978-1499390193

ASIN: B00KPJ27UW



Number of pages: 190

Word Count: 46,500



Cover Artist: Boulevard Photografica



Book Description:



When Ianthe began her career as a faery godmother, she stumbled so badly that Snow White will probably never speak to her again. After a long suspension, she’s finally been given a chance to redeem herself…but everything on this latest assignment is going wrong.



But why?



Worse, she definitely doesn’t need an attractive mortal man distracting her from her duties. Of course, needs and wants are two different things.



Briak has had his eye on Ianthe for a very, very long time, but he’s been waiting for just the right moment to make his move. Despite the fact all hell’s about to break loose on his watch, he can’t resist the opportunity to insert himself into her earthly assignment. Can he convince Ianthe of her true calling and thereby win her heart? Or will his subterfuge ultimately cost him her love?






Available at Amazon



Excerpt:



Sunlight filtered into the office, tinkling musically as it bounced off a globe standing to the far side of the room. A lone dust mote floated through the air to fall onto the crystalline floorboards and as it hit, Ianthe Hypericum cringed when she heard it clack against the floor, like the tinny clap of an iron breakfast bell. Normally the sound didn’t bother her. Normally she found it lovely.

Not today.

Nervous sweat ran down Ianthe’s back as she awaited her latest assignment. Maybe the Faery Godmother High Council hadn’t changed their decision. Maybe Ms. Siabelle had called her in to revoke her wand for good.

Why wouldn’t she? After all, so many of her recent assignments had ended in disaster. The High Council frowned upon her performance even before Snow White’s daughter had run off with that traveling band of thieves. Ianthe still couldn’t quite figure out how it had happened. She’d spent nearly fourteen hundred years on probation for it. How it hadn’t driven her crazy enough to join those in the dark side of the groves, she had no idea. It’d been a close call.

Some faery godmother she’d turned out to be! She didn’t want to think what might happen if she blew another assignment. They’d turn her out, maybe send her to the shoemaker’s shop as punishment, and she didn’t want that. Everyone knew the shoemaker’s shop was a dungeon compared to the human world.

What a disgrace for her family, if the council banished her there! They were having a hard enough time, socially, dealing with her failure with the Snow White family. Banishment would undo them. She had to succeed at this assignment, she just had to!

The door opened and an older woman, wearing a gray Armani suit, stepped through.

Ianthe stood and curtseyed, her lilac taffeta skirt rustling. “Good morning, Ms. Siabelle.”

The old woman pushed her glasses up her pert nose with a thick finger. “Ah, Ianthe. I see you’re on time, for once.” She scuttled around the huge oak desk like an overweight crab.

Ianthe folded her hands in her lap, twisting her fingers as she waited for her boss to settle down.

I trust all is well.”

Yes, ma’am,” she said. “The Smith-Weiss affair’s all cleaned up.”

They’re happy, then?” Ms. Siabelle asked.

Ianthe bit her lip. Hard. No, she wouldn’t say the couple was happy. Not unless the faery godparent council had changed its definition of single parent households. Still, she made her report on her latest assignment. “The couple is—April is…Chuck will be—” She blew out a deep breath. “They’ll get there. Plenty of babies grow up without their fathers. It’s for the best.”

Is it?”

April Smith and Charles Weiss weren’t made for each other, no matter how much we wish it.” She frowned at the old faery godmother. “You knew there were problems going into that assignment.”

Ms. Siabelle remained quiet in the face of Ianthe’s accusation. She twitched the platinum chain on her glasses and turned her attention to her computer. “Yes, well, that isn’t the issue today.” Adjusting her glasses to her liking, she turned her head, gaze softening as she peered at Ianthe.

Ianthe could feel a million tiny lightning bolts trying to find their way into her heart. She could barely breathe under the elderly overseer’s gaze and she begged the faery gods to be on her side, just this once.

Ms. Siabelle cleared her throat.

Here it came. Ianthe tried not to cringe.

The Faery Godparent High Council has decided to give you another chance, child.”

She blinked. “Say that again?” Unbelievable!

I said we’ve decided in your favor.” Ms. Siabelle turned in her chair, and standing, crossed the room to a tall filing cabinet. Batting away a stray sunbeam, she wrapped old fingers around the silver handle gracing the top drawer, tugged it open, and drew a finger in the air above the files. They flipped by themselves, one after another, as if she pulled them. But she held her finger too high. “If the couple can’t make a go of it even after what you’ve done, it’s not your fault.”

I did try.”

I told the council so. Ah, here we are.” She stepped back as one file slid free. It spun in the air before her a moment, then Ms. Siabelle reached out and took hold of the thin folder. Ianthe wrung her hands as Ms. Siabelle sat back down and began to read. “Hmm... It says here that you’re to be assigned to a young man.” Her brow rose. “And his soon-to-be ex-wife.”

Ianthe sat up straighter. A divorce? Oh, no. More battles over the children. She found being saddled with the choice of which parent would be best heartbreaking. “Surely you must be mistaken. Isn’t there some forlorn lover I can look after instead?” This guy was probably as ugly as the frog prince, while the wife, well… she’d met some doozies!

No, the assignment is quite clear. You’re to assist Randall and Mallory Davies.” Ms. Siabelle shut the gleaming folder and folded her hands atop it. “According to their files, it’s a clear case. Randall’s not sure he wants the divorce and Mallory—well, I don’t see why she couldn’t be persuaded to drop the case. Should be a piece of cake, as they say down there.”

She’d said that about Snow White’s daughter, but Ianthe thought better of reminding her. “I’m not sure.”

Are you saying you don’t want the assignment, my dear? I thought you hoped for a chance to get your wand and title back.” Her nose twitched. “And everything else that goes with it. Coaches and ball gowns and such.”

All of which had gone out of style with the age of classic faery tales. Right now, Ianthe didn’t feel like contradicting her. “I do, ma’am. It’s just that—”

Good. I’ll see the paperwork’s sent through; meanwhile—” She wiggled her finger over the file and it rose from the desktop, floating like a bird into Ianthe’s less than eager hands. “Why don’t you get started?” She shook her head sadly. “Seems Randall and Mallory are in dire need of a happy ending, as you’ll see.”

Ianthe sighed. The pages flipped open before her, and she took in the photographs. Randall, his employees. One stood out: a man with a handsome angular face, tousled brown hair, and deep, coffee-colored eyes.

She leaned forward to study the picture, wondering who he was. Too handsome to ignore, she thought. Was he the reason for the couple’s troubles? She could see that being the case.

Maybe this assignment wasn’t going to be so bad, after all.

She shoved the file into her oversized purse and exited the office to take to the hall, a renewed confidence in her gait. She could do this. Surely, she would finally live down that fiasco of an assignment with Snow White’s daughter. Maybe it would even garner her a promotion. Full Godmotherhood!

Dare she dream?

She was already daydreaming for she plowed right into an oncoming faery.

She blinked at him. Geldon P. Techsmauch.

I’m sorry, Geldon. I didn’t see you,” she said.

Son of a goblin, how she hated him! She stepped back, hoping to escape him as soon as possible.

Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” he snarled.

When she stepped around him he planted his right hand against the wall, blocking her escape. “Where do you think you’re rushing off to in such a hurry?” he asked. “You can’t have a princess awaiting you. You’re on probation after all. Or are you late for a class? Beginning wand construction one-oh-one?”

How’m I supposed to go anywhere with you in my way, you horsefly’s butt? What was he doing, besides being a nuisance? “I said I’m sorry.” She tried not to snarl back, but it was hard. She tapped a finger to her lips. “Didn’t I hear you just came back from Desire Island? How’d that go?”

His mud brown eyes narrowed. “You heard wrong. It was Devil’s Island.”

Ah.” She nodded. “My mistake.”

Yes, you make many.” He turned on his heel. “So, I see you have more studying to do. Good luck with it, Hypericum. You’ll need it.”

Ianthe’s fists clenched and she wanted to stamp her foot against the citrine floor tiles, but the sound would reverberate through them as if she’d shattered a glass wall and tell the whole kingdom how angry she was. The nerve of Techsmauch! He was such an ass! Why did he constantly make her life a living hell? She didn’t want to run the risk of meeting up with him again tonight. So she turned back the way she’d come. She’d take the sub-elevators down to the Earth level if she had to in order to avoid facing him again.

A wrinkly, gray skinned goblin met her at the elevator and beckoned her inside. It was stuffed full of trolls. Many smelled as if they needed a nice, long bath. No one would ever catch Techsmauch dead in a sub-elevator so it seemed the best way to avoid him.

She sniffed once or twice and wrinkled her nose at the smell. The doors closed and she slowly released her breath. Afraid to inhale, she wondered how long it would take to reach Earth level. Don’t worry. We’ll arrive before you pass out from the trolls’ stench. She hoped.

All she could think about was the shower she’d take once on Earth. She’d have to freshen up if she wanted to get close to her assignment. Troll-stench was known to drive away any and all who came near. That was no way to begin this assignment.

She checked her purse, pulling forth the file Ms. Siabelle had given her. She could swear she’d seen that employee before, but where?

Briak. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Was it possible she had the name incorrect? Maybe the k constituted a typo. The name niggled in a way she didn’t like, but he looked so kind. Had she ever helped him? Or someone in his family?

Maybe I’m mistaken. How many handsome ranch hands were there in Clover Glen, Florida, after all?







About the Author:



Juli D. Revezzo is a Florida girl, with a love of fantasy, science fiction, and Arthurian legend, so much so she gained a B.A. in English and American Literature. She loves writing stories with fantastical elements whether it be a full-on fantasy, or a story set in this world-slightly askew.



She has been published in short form in Eternal Haunted Summer, Dark Things II: Cat Crimes (a charity anthology for cat related charities), Luna Station Quarterly, Crossing the River, An Anthology in Honor of Sacred Journeys; The Scribing Ibis: An Anthology of Pagan Fiction in Honor of Thoth, and Twisted Dreams Magazine. She’s the author of The Antique Magic series and the Paranormal Romance Harshad Wars series.



She is a member of the Independent Author Network and the Magic Appreciation Tour.
























Twitter: @julidrevezzo



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