Dark Goddess by Kelsey Ketch

This is my post during the blog tour for Dark Goddess by Kelsey Ketch. Dark Goddess is a vampiric retelling of the Eye of Ra.

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 7 till 13 August. You can see the tour schedule here.

Dark Goddess (A Dark Reflections Short Story #1)
By Kelsey Ketch
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: August 2022

Blurb:
Chaos has descended on Egypt, and the people are revolting against their immortal king. Little do they know the wrath he is about to unleash using his daughter as his weapon.

Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon
- B&N
- Kobo
- Smashwords
- Google Play
- Apple

Other book in the series:

Dark Creation (A Dark Reflections Short Story #2)
By Kelsey Ketch
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: 30 April 2021

Blurb:
Long before Charissa began her murderous rampage through history, she was a young woman living in ancient Alexandria.

Oppressed by society and cursed by the color of her hair, Charissa had hardly seen the world beyond the four walls of her home. So, when her husband leaves for extended military duty, she takes the opportunity to tour the city her brother once loved. Little does she know the Fates have other plans in store for her when she runs into an exotic woman in the Rhakotis District. The encounter will change her life forever.

Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon
- B&N
- Kobo
- Smashwords
- Google Play
- Apple

About the Author:
Kelsey Ketch is a young-adult/new-adult author, who works as a Wildlife Biologist and Data Analyst. During her free time, she can often be found working on her latest work in progress. She also enjoys history, mythology, traveling, and reading.

Author Links:
- Website
- Newsletter
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Pinterest
- Instagram
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Bookbub

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Dark Goddess. The author is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT).

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

SPECIAL GUEST POST BY THE AUTHOR:

"How did you research and prepare to write about Egyptian lore?"

The first thing one needs to have to write about Egyptian lore (or any lore, really) is a curious mind. The seed of curiosity was planted in 2007, when my Reading Shakespeare professor told us the legend of Isis and Osiris. I don’t remember why she told us this story or even how it related to our course. We were probably reading Antony and Cleopatra. Anyway, I’m grateful she did. The legend stuck with me all these years.

 

During that time, I still held a lot of fear and bias about ancient Egypt. Then, in 2011, I started writing my first novel, Daughter of Isis, and I began my journey into researching ancient Egypt. Not having a degree in Egyptology, I started my research by digging into books, online articles, and magazine articles. I watched any documentaries I can get my hands on, including every National Geographic I could either purchase or get through streaming. I purchased video lectures on ancient civilizations and architecture. I visited museums, studied ancient Egyptian artwork, and listened to ancient Egyptian-based music. Additionally, to prepare creatively, I pinned inspirational artwork and photographs onto Pinterest boards and watched some of my favorite Egyptian-based movies (i.e., Stargate, The Mummy, Gods of Egypt, Death on the Nile). The only thing I haven’t done, but wish to soon, is visit Egypt.

 

My resources have grown over the years. But most often, when I begin a new novel or short story, I’m basically starting from scratch and looking at the information with new eyes. First, I focus on the boarder spectrum of the concept, then work my way into the details as I’m finalizing the first draft. Unfortunately, not everything I research makes its way into my books. But, for the most part, I think I strike the right balance between creating something enjoyable to read along with providing accurate knowledge.

 

Blog Tour Dark Goddess by Kelsey Ketch

 

This is my post during the blog tour for Dark Goddess by Kelsey Ketch. Dark Goddess is a vampiric retelling of the Eye of Ra.

 

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 7 till 13 August. You can see the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-dark-goddess-by-kelsey-ketch

 

Dark Goddess (A Dark Reflections Short Story #1)

By Kelsey Ketch

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Age category: New Adult

Release Date: 7 August 2022

 

Blurb:

Chaos has descended on Egypt, and the people are revolting against their immortal king. Little do they know the wrath he is about to unleash using his daughter as his weapon.

 

Links:

- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57836873-dark-goddess

- Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/dark-goddess-a-dark-reflections-short-story-book-1-by-kelsey-ketch

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1JMQX65

- B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-goddess-kelsey-ketch/1141486239

- Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/dark-goddess-12

- Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1148092

- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=mP1vEAAAQBAJ

- Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-goddess/id6442828482

 

Other book in the series:

Dark Creation (A Dark Reflections Short Story #2)

By Kelsey Ketch

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Age category: New Adult

Release Date: 30 April 2021

 

Blurb:

Long before Charissa began her murderous rampage through history, she was a young woman living in ancient Alexandria.

 

Oppressed by society and cursed by the color of her hair, Charissa had hardly seen the world beyond the four walls of her home. So, when her husband leaves for extended military duty, she takes the opportunity to tour the city her brother once loved. Little does she know the Fates have other plans in store for her when she runs into an exotic woman in the Rhakotis District. The encounter will change her life forever.

 

Links:

- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55076541-dark-creation

- Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/dark-creation-a-dark-reflections-short-story-book-2-by-kelsey-ketch

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WPCVKMB

- B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-creation-kelsey-ketch/1138833395?ean=2940162277101

- Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/dark-creation

- Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1069458

- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=fRMeEAAAQBAJ

- Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-creation/id1553933977?mt=11&id=1553933977&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

 

Stephen R Babb's Skallagrim

BUY HERE

Email Stephen R. Babb: soundresources111@gmail.com

www.stephenrbabb.com

Twitter: @GlassHammerProg

MY REVIEW:

Babb's Skallagrim is a tour de force. It recalled for me all the love I had of the DragonLance books. It has some nods to the great epic fantasies such as Tolkein including a great scene at the end on the edge of a pit. But make no mistake, those familiar moments are intertwined into a unique and riveting story. 

The beauty of the work is the language implemented for the high paced, immersive action. Babb is by profession a songwriter and it shows. The novel has almost an epic Homerian quality. It drew me back to the sword and sorcery books I loved in my childhood.  Yet here the imagery has the masterful twist that offers enough to ignite imagination without smoldering it.

The story is a classic chase-after-the-princess quest with enough twists, turns, and surprises to leave you enjoying the ride and satisfied with the ending. You might even sit back and blow a few smoke rings on your pipe as well as you wait for volume two. The plot flows well and gives satisfactory conclusion while still setting up future offerings. However, the real joy of the book for me was not the superb plot but the simply fantastic monsters. For example, here is one nasty encounter with a ghoul:

"But this was a monster, a ghoul, a thing of legends, born of horror and death. The sorcerer's arrogant, leering visage was nothing compared to the malevolent, hateful face that hovered inches from Skallagrim's own, slinging venom in every direction as it strove to deliver a bone-crunching bite to the thief's head. Skallagrim could hear more than see Swanhild beating the ghoul with his staff, which at least had the effect of distracting the fiend from his attack."

And one of my faves (I'm a sucker for the dark that is both terrifying and tantalizing):

"every time he considered walking out on Forneus, his mind was inevitably drawn back to the door and to the whisperer in the darkness beyond. Such promises it had made. He dreaded the sound of it but was fascinated by it as well. Those whispers, like the exhalation of a dying man, had thrilled him, filling his mind with visions both ghastly and grotesque.... Straker was a killer with a killer's heart, but the whisperer in the dark was death itself. 'Come down and dream with me, my son,' it had said. 'Cast aside your doubts and fears. Come down, confess all to me, and I shall make you whole, for I am the Father of Death.'"

Overall, I would highly recommend this read for any and all epic fantasy fans. Further, Stephen Babb is part of the band Glass Hammer and they have two albums connected to this book. I have yet to listen to them, but can't wait to see how they play out some of the work. If done with the same careful hand this book was given, I imagine they are fantastic and offer an even deeper level of craft to the world of Skallagrim.

Tag Post

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THANK YOU 

Thank you for reading Jerry's Circumlocution where I promote independent authors, toss out a few reviews, wax eloquent occasionally on writing, or shamelessly self promote. 

Speaking of which, if you haven't picked up one of our featured author's works please do so. If so, and looking for more to read, please consider one of mine! And on behalf of all Indie authors including the one highlighted here, we live off of good reviews. Please consider dropping one to help them (and me) out! 

Freckles: The Dark Wizard  Middle Grade Fantasy

Simon is bullied. He also just discovered he is the only kid in school who can conjure a dragon.

InPassage

 Dystopian Western

Pitch knows three things. This is not his America, someone is trying to hunt him, and he is very good with a gun.

Or keep an eye out for these other titles!

A book is like a child. The author gives it birth. Then it is raised by the author and a team of teachers, coaches, and family (we call these people editors, beta readers, and publishers). all of this is to prepare the book for its journey into the world where it hopefully will meet you, the reader. I have the privilege of being my books' parent, but you are whom it is truly meant. Thank you.

Review: The Grace Year

 I usually review independent authors. I normally give my star review and leave the written reviews to others when a book is a NYT bestseller and has over 2,000 reviews. It isn't because I don't care, but because I want to support the author who is trying to create a following.

There are some exceptions. These are books I come across and I am simply compelled to write a review for some reason. For The Grace Year by Kim Liggett that reason is the novelty of the idea. It reminded me of several puritan works I read by Nathaniel Hawthorn in the explanation of the women's magic powers and near evils during their grace year. And yes, not all the girls are coming home. 

A truly compelling idea turned into a page-turning story. There were very few subplots but the main thread kept me engaged. It draws on the tensions between science and faith, gender roles, tradition vs contemporary, generational sim, coming of age, and, of course, throws in a bit of a love story.  Worth a read.

The story is set in a dystopian future where girls are sent into the woods the year before they are married to "get rid of their magic." While there, they must gain control of their magic powers but also stay within the camp confines. If they venture out, poachers will capture them and harvest body parts for potions to be sold back in the town.

The main character ends up crossing the fence into poaching territory. There she finds there may be some scientific explanation for the women's madness. She also finds out her parents are not who she thinks they are, learns about herself, and finds love. Over all, it is worth a read or, if you have audible, worth a listen.

Review: The Family Buisness

BUY HERE

 I was given an advance reader copy. Opinions are my own. I received my copy at Dragon Con last year during a panel with Baen Books. If you are not familiar with Baen, you should be. Their stuff is tremendous. Great authors, great stories. All fun pulp reads. Mostly sci-fi. Haven't had a bad title yet. In fact, I always go to their panels at conventions because they give away free reads. They have a bunch up fornt to select form and offer trivia. They also always ask first responders (me), active service, vets, and police to come up and get one as a thank you. Great company and great products.

VISIT BAEN HERE - TOTALLY WORTH IT!!

Here is my review. It is short and sweet. 

Didn't want to give away some cool twists on the more familiar tropes:

Good story with a great set-up / premise. I know series are all the rage, but I enjoyed the stand alone novel. Fun, action packed once you get fifty or so pages in, and some good twists. It is set not only after the horrible alien invasion but after us earthlings battle back. A world where history changes the possibilities of the present, including new abilities like physical or mental enhancements. People are still people though and Kupari writes them well.

Review: Mandalay Hawk's Dilema

 

"Tom Hawk had come to accept that his daughter - his very smart and very motivated, but extremely unprepared daughter - was going to try to march to Washington without any plan or parental support"

I was given a copy of this book for review. You can find my review and original book image at 

https://www.amazon.com/Mandalay-Hawks-Dilemma-United-Anthropocene/dp/1732077533/

"Tom Hawk had come to accept that his daughter - his very smart and very motivated, but extremely unprepared daughter - was going to try to march to Washington without any plan or parental support"

Mandalay suffers through a hurricane, leading her to the impetuous action of burning a bunch of school property (donated by an electric company). What follows is her journey to activate her generation for climate change. It read much like The Day After Tomorrow watched - singular agenda driven. All characters are defined by the main thrust of the book: environmental issues. From Mandalay's red lipstick message WE READ: "THEY CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING-LIKE ALL POWER COMPANIES USING FOSSIL FUEL!! HOW STUPID CAN WE BE? IF WE DON'T STOP GLOBAL WARMING NOW, IT WILL BE TOO LATE! IT WILL MAKE THE PANDEMIC OF 2020 LOOK LIKE A PICNIC IN THE PARK!!!... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! THIS CR** HAS TO STOP NOW!!!" It is ALL CAPS, bold face here matching the text in the book.

There is a great scene early on between Mandalay and Gertrude where Gertrude asks, "please tell me how you and your friends plan on saving the world." The response made me chuckle, "Nothing embarrasses a kid more than having their own words or actions shoved right back in their face."

I suppose time will tell if books such as these can help us change collectively in such a way as Upton Sinclair's The Jungle once did for the meat industry. Here, marches, rap songs (I was ill prepared for Mandalay as an eloquent rapper), and rooftop gardens are the proposed solutions, leaving this reader to close the book feeling preached at without any discernable path forward.

I was given a copy for review.

Review: MD Cooper's Outsystem

I met Cooper at a convention this past year. She was pleasant enough and enjoyable to talk about the craft of writing. She writes a very niche genre: Military Sci-Fi with lesbian protagonists. The book is one of her first and stars one of her major characters: Tannis. The author is super prolific with hundreds of books published in the sci-fi world she has created. 

There is actually a pretty cool KDP (Amazon Authors) video interview worth watching if you are interested in how authors can make it through independent publishing. One well respected system is definitely the "Put lots of stuff out there." More notably, I see theories like "20 books to $20,000" or similar titles. Cooper seems to have made it work for her and kudos. 

See her interview HERE

My Review on Amazon:

 A cocky protagonist saves the space colony from a nuclear explosion. What follows is a mystery / conspiracy laden sleuth in space with cyborg body parts, tech and AI. There is some character development but the real reason to get on this rollercoaster is for the non-stop thrills. The author writes excellent action scenes that put you in the moment.