Showing posts with label Alexandra May. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexandra May. Show all posts

Arc Review: Ethandun (The Lost Dacomé Files #2) by Alexandra May

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MV5JNZG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01MV5JNZG&linkCode=as2&tag=albwormblogge-20&linkId=8da816b32a35041431f4570e30adbb12



Published: March 8th 2017

Rating: 5 out of 5

✥✤✤✤

Available from:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EVAV77A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EVAV77A&linkCode=as2&tag=albwormblogge-20&linkId=ea92513938cc39286e1553af826d5485http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/words-once-spoken-carly-drake/1116804113?ean=9780857990822

✥✤✤✤

Synopsis:

I am Stone. I am Iron. I am Oak.
Lord Tristan Dracanburh has a secret. A secret nobody knows except his family and his teacher, Halíka Dacomé. A secret he's kept hidden but one that could get him killed if discovered.
The year is A.D. 878. Danes rule the great Kingdoms of Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia. The only great Kingdom left in the way of a new Scandinavian Empire—and ruled by Tristan’s father, is Wessex.
On the eve of the battle of Ethandun, Halíka Dacomé and Lord Tristan capture a Danish spy by using Tristan's unique gift. The spy discloses details of a plot to kill Halíka Dacomé and her unborn child. Nerído Xipilé and his army of nine hundred Kievan Rus' elves have joined the warlord Guthrum's armies to eliminate the Dacomé bloodline for eternity. Halíka Dacomé must die before the Danes can rule Britain.
Now Lord Tristan and Halíka Dacomé with the King's help have only a few hours before their dawn battle march to thwart their opponent’s plans. Lord Tristan must decide if he’s willing to expose his secret to secure the Danes defeat and win Wessex back.
The cost will be higher than anyone can imagine.
Ethandun is a thrilling tale of love, friendship and the joys and sorrow of war mixed with a glimmer of fae and druid intrigue. A must read for followers of the Lost Dacomé Files and the Primord series.

Click Here for the Full Review
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Latest Blogs from our Favourite YA Authors - 12th May 2013



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-CB xx
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Review: Elemental: Origin (Primord #1.5) by Alexandra May



Publishers: Pauma Publishing
Published Date: April 4th 2013
From: Bought
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:


What happened to the two missing bloodlines?
How did the Xipilé’s amass their fortune?
Who was behind Mira’s accident?
And what is Amy’s secret?

Spencer Phillips, Daisy Frost, Andrew Orelían and Aiden Deverill open up their hearts and minds to reveal some of the secrets from Elemental: The First in this in-between short story.

Review:

This wasn't what I expected at all. Elemental: Origin goes behind the scenes before that last chapter of Elemental: The First with a final chapter just after. Told from 5 different side-characters, it delves into the background of the Dacomés and Xipile´s. We learn a little more about the characters and motives. The one thing Origin taught me is not to assume anything! The world Alexandra May is weaving is becoming more clearer as another book is announced. Now I can't wait for Circle of Fire! Only marked down because it's a novella and I wanted to read more!


You can reach Alexandra May here: 


Available from Amazon:

    
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Cover Reveal: Elemental: The Circle of Fire by Alexandra May

I'm so excited to reveal the cover of Alexandra May's next book, sequel to Elemental: The First and Elemental: Origin!

I've been waiting for this for a while now. I hope there's lots of Aiden in this one!

Here it is!!

 

Elemental: The Circle of Fire
(Primord Series #2)
by Alexandra May

Rose Frost discovers from Aiden Deverill, the bad boy around town, that they are Primord Elementals in hiding. They may be from the same group of ancients, born way before humans existed on the earth, but that doesn't mean she has to like him.

Rose wakes up one morning in hospital having no idea how she got there. She soon learns that one of the Xipilé’s is dead. Rumours circulate that she killed Spencer Phillips, Aiden’s best friend, but Rose has no recollection. Her memory of that fateful night has been erased. Spurned by her friends and hated by the other Xipilés, Rose plunges to the depths of an emotional spiral that she may never get out of. The only person who can truly help her plays with fire.

On this heroic and fast paced journey, Rose begins with a key but poignant tragedy. Her time for the Unburdening and Integration into Halíka Dacomé draws near. The impeding arrival of the outer Xipilé clade, who want her dead, is looming. Strange asteroids in space draw in a new 21st century world-wide audience, linking their appearance to Halíka Dacomé. Is Ben’s plan of an apocalyptic disaster drawing near? Does he really want to rid the world of the human race and make way for the coming of the Primords?

The myth is becoming legend and Rose’s sanity is being tested. Rose Frost only has seven days to find out the truth, once and for all, before it’s too late.

Expected Publication: June 2017
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Latest Blogs from our Favourite YA Authors - 20th March 2013




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Latest Blogs from our Favourite YA Authors - 27th February 2013




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Latest Blogs from our Favourite YA Authors - 13th February 2013




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Review: The Battle for Arcanon Major by Alexandra May


 

 

Published Date: January 13th 2013
My rating: 5 out of 5
Synopsis:

“As daughter of our ruler I grew up in the crossfire of an ongoing war... All I’d ever wanted to be was a great warrior and ultimately lead my people into victorious battles."

With only a small army at her command Halíka Dacomé, a skilled warrior and daughter of the Elemental King, is ready to lead one final battle to save her planet. A battle against the savage, bloodthirsty Primords who want to extinguish the diminished race of Elementals once and for all.

But before battle commences her father is given an ultimatum from the enemy leader, Arfron Uhnok. If the king agrees, Halíka Dacomé must marry Arfron Uhnok to prevent further bloodshed. If the king disagrees they, as a race, will all perish.

Horrified by her fathers decision Halíka Dacomé leads her army onward regardless of the consequences. Because her heart belongs to another. A love that blossomed many years ago. A love that her father has forbidden.

Halíka faces her toughest battle yet and learns that not all battles are those fought with a sword...


The Battle for Arcanon Major is an epic love story set against the backdrop of war and is the first Prequel to Elemental: The First


Review:
Another book I championed last year was Elemental: The First. I was eagerly awaiting the sequel and surprised when Alexandra May decided to publish another book first. I can't wait for the sequel but when this came up at Net Galley I was intrigued.

And I read it in about 4 hours straight. It comes right into the story, at a crunch time and then just as you think you know how it's going to pan out, everything changes! The ending is one of the saddest I've read in a long time, and I'm very glad this is only number 1 of the Lost dacomé files because I'm dying to find out what happens next.

So, without giving away too many spoiler, Halika Dacome is threatened with a union with the opposing war lord. But they have other plans. Just as an agreement is met, lots of important people are murdered in front of her eyes and her father is spared on the assumption that all the Elementals are going to die anyway. But Halika doesn't believe that, she thinks they stand a chance of winning the war against the enemy. When her childhood friends arrive they bring war ships that enable her to stand a fighting chance. She also begins her bittersweet romance with Nerido Xipile (who I thought she hated from the first book Elemental: The First).

Anyway just as everything seems to be going to plan, it all falls apart. And not in a good way. There's an interesting chapter right at the end called Double Cross and that's exactly what happens. Except its not from all the people you expect, well it is and it isn't. You'll find out if you read it.

The world building and royal/political systems, the way of life, and the sheer characterisations in this book are mesmerising. I felt every high of happiness, and every low when it all went wrong. I even had a wobbly chin at the end when the Scribe finishes the story.

Absolutely this is a book to read. It doesn't matter if you enjoy Sci-fi or not, the story is of the characters and not of the world they live in.

5 out of 5 - I loved it!

-CB x
You can reach Alexandra May here:

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Latest Blogs from our Favourite YA Authors - 28th December 2012






Here's a weekly round up of blogs from our favourite YA authors:
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Is there an author you'd like to see updates from?
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**News Flash** Waiting on Wednesday (#4) - Elemental: The Circle of Fire by Alexandra May

** THIS WEEK **


~~


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.





~~

The blurb from Goodreads:

Rose Frost discovers from Aiden Deverill, the bad boy around town, that she’s a Primord Elemental in hiding and just like him, sort of. Rose always knew there was something off when he was around. She can never get a reading or feel his essence like she can other people. Her sensory abilities just won’t work.

Instead she has to use her female intuition which isn't always a good thing. He may be dazzlingly gorgeous with his sapphire blue eyes and black hair, and he may be from the same group of ancient races that her ancestors come from.
But it doesn't mean she has to like him. Until he tells her that he never wants to see her again.

Rose realises she’s on her own once more, she must find her missing grandmother, and some strange crystals to prevent the worst from happening - an apocalypse, the end of mankind. But a tragedy immediately happens for which Rose fears she may never recover from fully, and emotionally she plunges to the depths.

Her weird dreams of Nerído Xipilé make her second-guess Aiden once more. Is he really as evil as his grandfather? Does Rose have the ability to cure the black hatred that lies in his heart?

On this non-stop and fast paced journey, Rose comes into her own, discovers new abilities and the reason why she's considered The First. She faces new enemies and must deal with unexpected obstacles particularly when her gift is caught on camera exposing her to the world media.

But the only person who can truly rescue her in the end plays with fire.

Her time for the Unburdening and Integration into Halika Dacomé draws near, she only has seven days to find out the truth, once and for all, before it’s too late.

I contacted Alexandra May recently to ask when the cover would be available. Due to personal circumstances the book will be delayed again. The Circle of Fire was originally due to be published in January 2012 but was put back to May 2012 and now its a TBC. This is Alex's message that she allowed me to share with you:
Dear Charlotte


Thank you so much for featuring Elemental: The Circle of Fire as your 'Waiting on Wednesday' feature.


People say that art emulates life and none could be so true as this book and my Rose Frost stories! It took me 18 months to finally complete Elemental: The First. I had to continue every day life while I wrote every night and it was a labour of love in the end.


Since its publication in July 2011 I've written 2 more books, one being Elemental: The Circle of Fire and the other The Lost Dacome Files: The Battle of Arcanon Major. Both are still incomplete and its been difficult to get them to a finished state because of what's happening outside of my writing.


I live in Southern Europe with my boyfriend of 12 years. In September 2011 he was offered a new position in Saudi Arabia, Middle East (who knew?). All of a sudden everything had to be put on hold. Would he take the job? Should he take it? In December, just before Christmas last year, he left to take up his new role. It was a lifetime opportunity that we couldn't turn down.


To say that I went through dark days following his departure is an understatement. For anyone who has been in a long term marriage or relationship they will understand that. I was afraid of writing anything because what I would put down on paper would be akin to lemmings jumping off a cliff. And Elemental: CoF didn't deserve any more darkness than is included already. 


Today, my partner is incredibly happy, settled and waiting for me, except I'm unable to join him in KSA because we're not married. Saudi Arabia is a difficult country to get into. They don't allow tourists and its effectively a 'closed country'. So now I'm packing up my house, arranging for 2 dogs to be vaccinated, sponsored, visa'd, and I'm getting married (to the delight of our parents) and I can finally join him once the Saudi authorities allow me entry. My life is hectic beyond belief, full of bureaucracy and endless paperwork but I'm hoping I'll be able to relocate to Saudi Arabia around June/July of this year.


Elemental: The Circle of Fire will be rescheduled for a release date towards the latter part of the year. The readers who enjoyed Elemental: The First don't deserve a book churned out just to be published. They deserve a story that's had my full attention. I'm a perfectionist so until I'm 100% happy, the story will have to wait. Being self-published isn't always easy but the upside of that is I'm in control.


For all my readers out there who are waiting to find out if Morgan and Rose make it, let me tell you this. Elemental: The Circle of Fire will be worth the wait!


Charlotte, once again, thank you for your ongoing loyalty and keep up your blogging!

With best regards

Alexandra May
info@alexandramay.co.uk
www.alexandramay.co.uk
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Review: Elemental: The First by Alexandra May


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Just who is Halíka Dacomé?

To Rose Frost, moving house every six months is normal. Another new town here, another new school there, her ability to adapt is as easy as breathing. But everything changes when her parents go overseas and Rose moves in with her grandmother. She enjoys meeting new friends and catching up with old ones from her childhood holidays — except now she must hide a precious secret from everyone, a gift from birth that defies modern day science.

Her dreams become riddled with a warrior woman called Halíka Dacomé, but are they visions or messages from the future? She starts her own investigation but encounters more questions than answers. Living right on the edge of Warminster in Wiltshire doesn’t help with its folklore and myths about strange lights in the sky and ghost stories of the Salisbury Plain

Not only that, her troubles really take hold one night when the mysterious Aiden Deverill with his alluring smile, his gorgeous dark looks and hypnotising blue eyes, saves her from a freak fire. Or did he?

For Rose, her new life is beginning but she soon realises that despite assurances people are not always what they seem. What she always believed to be a happy family and a friendly town soon turns on its head when she discovers that her family secret, Aiden Deverill and the truth behind Halíka Dacomé is at the heart of the whole conspiracy.
My Review:
RECOMMENDED!!!

This is original and different and for all intents starts as a good book about a gifted girl. But nothing is as it seems!

Rose is taught from an early age not to trust anyone and also not draw any attention to her mysterious gift. With the help of her family she goes through childhood believing she's ordinary but with something extra. Her father has a dangerous job so secrecy is paramount. They often have to move home quickly, to new locations, because bad people are after him. This time her parents are moving abroad but Rose must live in the safety of her grandmothers home. A home she knows well from childhood holidays.

When Rose moves back to Warminster she meets up with two old friends and starts to fit into a new normal life. They accept her as she is and quickly she's pulled into helping out another friend who's father has gone missing. Rose starts to have feelings for Morgan, and he's perfect and clearly likes her in return but someone else occipies her thoughts. She's drawn to Aiden in a different way, almost like her gift wants to reach out to him. He's mysterious, dangerous and gorgeous but she knows that something isn't right about him. If anything he's more like her than anyone she's ever met.

But Rose must focus on the main issue and that is finding her friends father but little does she know that the mystery surrounding the missing townspeople has more to do with her, her past and the strange woman that occupies her dreams.

As the threads start to pull together there are twists and turns at every moment. Just when you think you have an idea about who is the culprit, another clue crops in and sends you into another direction.

This book is a mystery, suspense, romance with an alternative take on the conspiracies and myths surrounding Wiltshire, England. The suspense is nicely paced and the ending is a show stopper. This is the kind of book I like. For one thing while it might annoy some people, it's isn't fast and pacey to get through lots of pointless filler. In fact, the story doesn't stop from the beginning to the end. The other characters are great including Daisy (Rose's grandmother). The beautiful descriptions shouldn't be missed as you realise that clues are given to you from the beginning, you find your sense of being in the book and by the end you know your way around and don't want to leave. The area of Wiltshire sounds fascinating and May does a great job of including local myths and folklore.

I loved the romance part of it! It kicks in half way through and you are torn between Morgan and Aiden (Team Aiden). This isn't a love triangle as I originally thought. Something much deeper is going on with these two and when you find out the truth it stuns you.

This is an absolutely unique and original story and I recommend EVERYONE of all ages to read it!!

For a first novel the author's done a fantastic job. Looking forward to the second one now.
-CB

You can reach Alexandra May here:

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