R.F. Gammon Author: Tricia Mingerink

Decree Blog Tour

by R.F. Gammon - December 15, 2018

Hello, everybody! Today I have a VERY special blog tour for you: The next book in Tricia Mingerink's Blades of Acktar series!

If you've spent five minutes on my blog you know how much this series means to me (if you haven't spent five minutes on my blog here's a post that's basically just me ranting about how much I adore these books). I was heartbroken to read the last book in the series and have to know that I wasn't ever going to get to return to this world for the first time. Don't we all know that feeling?

But then.

BUT THEN, MY CHILDREN.

THERE'S A FIFTH BOOK COMING AND IT'S A BUNCH OF HAPPY AND MOSTLY FLUFFY NOVELLAS AND THEY'RE ALL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BOOK FOUR AND ALL MY PRECIOUS CHILDREN ARE ALRIGHT AND HAPPY AND HAVE LIVES AND FAMILIES AND MY SHIPS SAIL AND *stops*

*gasps for air*

Okay, so I've already read the book, and it's incredible.

Here's a blurb before I keep screaming:

The Adventure Continues.

Discover more of The Blades of Acktar in this collection of novellas and short stories.

The Blades as They Should’ve Been

A test and the Gathering of Nobles will decide Leith and Martyn’s futures. Can they fight to become more than the Blades they were? Will Keevan accept the man who attempted to kill him as family?

The First Mission

When Martyn visits Surgis, his past seems determined to haunt him. Can he figure out how to forgive, especially when confronted with an enemy in need of his help?

To the Far Great Mountains

A death sends Leith and Martyn far beyond the borders of Acktar. Will they be able to arrest their quarry before they are caught themselves?

From the story of how Leith and Martyn met to Ranson’s search for a life outside of the Blades, these stories will answer plaguing questions and expand the world of Acktar.

Here's a cover which will deliver you for a few more moments from my screaming:

It's gorgeous, no? Perfect, no? Everything about this book is great, right? :D

Okay, so I think I'm supposed to give some kind of review for this, but I've gotten super unprofessional about my reviews lately and so I'm going to give some rant-ness and then copy-paste this whole thing into Goodreads and call it good. XD

Review

SMOL LIST OF THINGS TO LOVE IN THIS SHORT STORY/NOVELLA COLLECTION

LEEEEITH. I'm not even sorry. He's just the best. <3
KAYLEIGH. I was on the fence about this gal in the fourth book of the series, just because she was new and it felt like she was taking away the spotlight from my actual loves. But now I really love her. She's such a great female character--strong, a warrior, willing to dress up as a man to sneak to battle and getting herself made the first female Captain of the Guar. But she also loves to sew and is a good cook and has a house she loves and wants kids. Like...the balance! It's impeccable!
The Blade Marshals were so incredible and I loved them.
The setting! I've always felt the world of Acktar in terms of trade, neighbors, government, etc., isn't as well-developed as it could be, but these stories fix all of that. This is a big, sprawling, epic world, and I love it.
BABIES! *shrieks*
Michelle got a storyline and I appreciated that because I've felt bad for her from the beginning.
So much grace and forgiveness and healing and overcoming of PTSD
I just really like these stories k

SMOLER LIST OF THINGS I DID NOT LOVE

Ummm, where were my beloved Faythe girls?! Brandi and Renna were here, yeah, but nowhere NEAR enough. I get that some characters have to move over to make room for others, but other than a couple of the earlier stories, Brandi was barely present here, and Renna didn't do a whole lot either. Here's hoping for more of the two of them later. *crosses fingers*
I'm not really a fan of Martyn? Sorry *hides in a hole* I mean, I kind of liked him in Deliver, but in the end, he's just not my favorite. I like Leith's story a whole lot more. Please don't kill me...
The idea of my little precious children being old enough to be married and have kids was...weird. Because they're my children. And I can't think of them as being old for some reason. I dunno why :P
Nothing else?

Overall I'm giving four stars to this book because it was amazing and you need to go and read it like RIGHT NOW!!!!!! XD

Giveaway

What is a blog tour without a giveaway, right?

(This blog tour is actually connected to the Ilyon Chronicles blog tour and is a joint thingy. I haven't read all the Ilyon Chronicles books and so am not participating in that part of the tour, but that series is included in this giveaway and thus shows up. xD It's also a clean Christian fantasy series, and it's pretty good, from the first two books I've read. ;))

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a full signed set of the Ilyon Chronicles and The Blades of Acktar! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)
Be sure to stop by each of the character chats (links in the blog tour schedule) for additional giveaways throughout the tour!

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And to find the entire blog tour schedule and those elusive character chats, click here!

Have you read the Blades of Acktar? Are you going to? (You better.) What's your favorite fantasy series or story with assassins? Chat with me, lovelies!

11 comments

BLOG TOUR: Dissociate and Dagger's Sleep! (Feat. interviews with TRICIA MINGERINK and SARAH ADDISON-FOX!!!)

by R.F. Gammon - May 25, 2018

Oh my goodness, you guys! I'm so absolutely thrilled to be presenting these books to y'all. <3 Two indie authors I love (Tricia Mingerink and Sarah Addison-Fox) are teaming up to release their latest novels! As you all know, Tricia Mingerink is one of my all-time most favorite authors....and while I don't fangirl about Sarah's Alliegance Series anywhere near as much as I should, that one is pretty darn awesome and if you haven't read it yet, you should absolutely pick it up!

So let's get started, shall we?

First let me provide some synopses and author bios, because these books are gems that you should not miss and the authors are just as amazing:

Dagger's Sleep

A prince cursed to sleep.

A princess destined to wake him.

A kingdom determined to stop them.

High Prince Alexander has been cursed to a sleep like unto death, a curse that will end the line of the high kings and send the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia into chaos. With his manservant to carry his luggage and his own superior intelligence to aid him, Alex sets off to find one of the Fae and end his curse one way or another.

A hundred years later, Princess Rosanna learns she is the princess destined by the Highest King to wake the legendary sleeping prince. With the help of the mysterious Daemyn Rand, can she find the courage to finish the quest as Tallahatchia wavers on the edge of war?

One curse connects them. A hundred years separate them. From the rushing rivers of Tallahatchia’s mountains to the hall of the Highest King himself, their quests will demand sacrifices neither of them could imagine.

Dagger’s Sleep is available for preorder on Amazon Kindle.

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

My Review

HOLY COW.

So in my humble opinion, this book never quite reached the emotional highs and desperate lows of the Blades of Acktar series. It simply wasn't quite as compelling-- I didn't love the characters /quite/ as much, and I wasn't quite as crazy about the characters. BUT! I think I felt the same way about Dare, the first book in Blades of Acktar, when I read it the first time. So, I'm not taking off points for that. It's just that I wasn't as crazy about this story (but Tricia Mingerink will absolutely always be an auto-buy author for me ;))

Despite this, there's SO MUCH to love about this first book in a new series! The fairy-tale retelling aspect is so fun (I loved the unconventional take on Sleeping Beauty, and the fact that the traditional elements were THERE but DIFFERENT...let's just say all the love for that). The "spindle" becomes a dagger, and I love the way that aspect was implemented. The "true love's kiss"....well, let's just say that I won't spoil anything because it's so much better to find it out for yourself when you read the book for yourself ;)

World-building! Perfection! I was initially a little weirded out by the Western aspect, but Mingerink had me convinced in just a few pages. Because this was PERFECT. The canoeing. The "tribal" feeling to the whole thing. The buffalo hunt! Log cabins and pioneers! Dangerous paths through the mountains!!!! I LOVED IT. ALL OF IT.

And the characters. I didn't feel like they were quite as wonderful as the Blades characters, but they were still amazing. I ADORE stories with strong character arcs (especially ones where an arrogant self-centered guy who could be so great figures out that he's got issues) and Alex's was no exception. He was terrific. Rosanna was a relatable heroine--strong but not ridiculous. I adored her. And DAEMYN. DON'T GET ME STARTED. He was amazing. (And the plot twist with him was just like O_o) The other characters weren't quite as amazing (although ZEKE WAS EXCELLENT, and I really appreciated Rosanna's brothers. Let me just say I love brother-sister relationships in fiction. ;)) Berend was terrific.

The allegory-type plot thread was brilliantly done. I loved it. SO INSANELY GOOD.

I think overall I'd give this book 4.5 stars. Because it wasn't QUITE as amazing as the Blades of Acktar, but as a series beginning it has SO much potential and I can't wait to see where Rosanna, Daemyn, and Alex go next! (And let me just say....that ending scene. With a certain character. If you've read the book, you know what I speak. If you haven't, WHY HAVEN'T YOU. My heart split into a thousand tiny pieces, but that's okay this time, Tricia...you put it back together XD)

Definitely recommend this one. Buy it. Read it. Love it.

SO GOOD.

Disowned

Freedom begins with finding the truth.

Amidst the turmoil caused by Smyth’s arrest, Celeste is stuck in limbo, stripped of her citizenship, with no choice but to flee to a peaceful Kyraenean hideaway with the tumultuous Amaya Mason.

When bounty hunters threaten the local orphanage, Celeste and Amaya must work together and fight. Even if it means risking what they cherish the most.

His plans in tatters, his career in jeopardy, Mick Haynes is forced to leave Kyraenea with the enigmatic Torrance Kyle, the agent he still can’t trust.

Torrance is good at lying, and even better at hiding his pain, but is he strong enough to deal with the consequences of betraying his own father?

Can Celeste accept the truth, accept her place in the Haynes family or will lies chain her to the past and destroy her chance at a new life?

Dissociate is available for sale on Amazon here. The first two books in the series Disowned and Dissemble are also available on Amazon.

Sarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed fantasy with strong heroines. She has an astonishing amount of nail polish, has all her creative writing credentials shoved in a drawer somewhere, and has a husband who, after 27 years, can still make her blush. When she’s not working on her Christian YA fantasy series', she can be found fangirling on Goodreads or sending GIFs on Twitter.

Facebook // Blog // Instagram: sarahaddisonfox // Twitter: @Saddisonfox // Goodreads: Sarah Addison-Fox

My Review

This was such a good book. I've loved the other two books in the Allegiance series (Disowned and Dissemble) so much that I knew this one would be amazing (and look at that cover!!! It's so beautiful <3) And this one did not for one second disappoint!

Sarah Addison-Fox's world has grown so believable in the time I've spent there. The first book, I was a little incredulous of the fantasy element in a world that felt so...real, and modern, but having read three of the books now I agree that it's pretty awesome that the setting is the way it is. I love the mix of electricity and modern appliances with old-fashioned dressmaking and swinging swords. Characters get to use knives and guns, and it's pretty awesome if you ask me.

These characters, too. My goodness. Celeste's character arc up to this point has been so amazing, and Dissociate only continues to send it down a path of growth and maturity. This is a heroine who's been through a lot, but now is willing to move on and try to make a better world for those who will follow her. She's a wonderfully kick-butt heroine, without having to try too hard; I found all the time she spent fighting utterly believable.

Mick, too. His character arc, going from a selfish soldier who took his family for granted and kind of seemed to the world in book 1, to now, when he's so incredibly strong and manly and kind to the girl he loves...I LOOOOOOVED him. He wasn't my favorite in the first book, and he grew on me in book two. But now I would be happy to say that he is among my favorites of this series. <3

Amaya and Torrance's characters broke my heart, especially Torrance. Amaya was a tough girl because she had to be, and I loved her softer heart underneath. Torrance was so preciously broken even as he tried to get better. Poor guy :(

And the Haynes family! I'm eager to spend more time with them in book 4, since Mick and Celeste are closer to them now....so much love for that family. Let's just have a whole series about them. And yes, I want to see Sadie marry Jude....please. XD

One of the highlights of the book for me was the writing on the quilt (if you've read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about, and if you haven't read it, you'll have to go find out what I'm talking about! XD) I laughed so hard at the whole thing.

CONTENT:
-Some kissing, some of which is a /little/ heavy, but not bad at all. (And all the kissing made me happy....so.) There's a pretty prominent romance subplot, but it stays clean.
-A little bit of language. A couple "bloody"s, a d-word....I don't remember much more than that, but it was nowhere near enough to bother me.
-Someone commits suicide--it's not shown, only mentioned, but it does happen.
-Some drinking, not portrayed in a good light.

Overall? 4.5 stars! This series just keeps getting better with every book, and I can't wait to see where Sarah Addison-Fox takes book 4. :)

And now have an author interview! Or rather, a DOUBLE author interview!

Faith: What are your three favorite works of fiction?

Tricia: Favorite works of fiction ever? Why would you make us pick???? Chronicles of Narnia is number one. I still re-read them at least once a year. Ranger’s Apprentice is definitely up there, especially books 7 and 9. I reread that whole series at least once a year too. The audiobook versions by John Keating are amazing. Then I guess I would have to say the Ilyon Chronicles. I know, I know. I listed series. But it’s kind of hard to separate the books of a series, you know what I mean?

Sarah: Oooooh. Three huh? I think that’s the hardest question I’ve ever been asked EVER. I’m going to go with my favourite books from the last few years. Which are: The Sunken Realm by Serena Chase, Dare by some writer called Tricia something or other and whichever book Horace in Ranger’s Apprentice vaults over the ladder in full body armour…*grins* Tricia will know which book that is I bet..side note you see why I’m in fangirl overload right now? Serena Chase is our Guest of Honour at the Facebook Festival Tricia and I are holding.

Tricia: Vaults in full body armor? Why can’t I think of which book this is???? *rushes off to re-listen to all the Ranger’s Apprentice books until I figure out which one it is*

Faith: Oh, man, I need to read Ranger's Apprentice...argh. And Dare's pretty good too ;) ;)

What is your muse or place of greatest inspiration?

Tricia: My family owns a hunting cabin deep in the woods of northern MI, and I love hiking among the old trees on trails I know better than the back of my hand. I actually wrote the ending to Defy while there over Christmas.

Sarah: Hmmm, I get all my inspiration from random things in my life. Lot’s of my inspiration comes from hearing new names. I based an entire three book series on hearing a name while I was at the doctors.

I do most of my writing on the couch in the dining room (what do you call a dining room in the US? Living room?) Anyway, not particularly inspiring since I’m generally surrounded by toys and or mess. But the upside is it’s close to my stash of m&m’s and coke.

Tricia: You can the room where the couch is the dining room over in New Zealand? Huh, didn’t know there. Over here dining room is where the table for eating is and the living room (or family room) has the couch and TV.

Me: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what music?

Tricia: I like having some sort of background business or noise when I write, most of the time anyway. Guess it comes from doing a lot of my writing on the couch in the main room of my family’s house. I will even write with the TV on, usually with some familiar TV show or movie playing in the background. Dagger’s Sleep was a lot of fairy tale movies, like the new Cinderella and the older Barbie movies. Dare was Hogan’s Heroes.

Sarah: Barbie! I never in a million years would have guessed that. I listen to music most of the time when I write. I find the type of music I listen to helps me get into the different characters heads. It also helps set the tone. For the Allegiance Short about Maggie and Ethan falling in love, I needed something sweet, so I listened to The Tarzan Soundtrack. For fight scenes I generally listen to Epic music on Youtube. If I want to play something in the background while I write most scenes, my go to is The King Arthur Soundtrack.

Me: How does your faith influence your writing?

Tricia: It obviously plays a large role in the character development and themes of the stories. Even if I was to write a story that doesn’t have the Christianity spelled out on the page, it would still have certain values and standards of right and wrong. Evil would still have consequences.

Sarah: My faith spills out into everything I write. I like to weave in my own personal experiences and struggles into my stories. So, while my characters are heavily flawed, and make a lot of mistakes, my goal is that they are either on the path to finding God or actually begin to have a relationship with Him by the end of whichever series I’m working on.

Me: Be honest, now: Do you have a favorite character from any of your works? (I know it's like pulling teeth to choose...but I know y'all have 'em XD)

Tricia: *glances around to check to make sure none of the characters are listening* That would be Leith. His core personality is most similar to mine, and there’s just something about those tortured cinnamon roll characters...

Sarah: Oh that’s cruel! I’ve written some other characters that I love but I don’t think any will ever hold as dear a place in my heart as Mick does. Torrance is a very close second...for the same reason Tricia gave. Cinnamon rolls equal tortured souls.

Haha, we all love Leith and Mick <3 (and Torrance, gotta love those tortured cinnamon rolls....I have one myself and I'm rather partial to him. XD)

And giveaways!!!

Sarah Addison-Fox is giving away a paperback set of the first three books in the Allegiance Series. The giveaway is open internationally where such giveaways are permitted and where Createspace ships. The books may or may not be signed depending on where the winner lives.

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Tricia Mingerink is giving away a paperback of Dagger’s Sleep. The giveaway is open internationally where such giveaways are permitted and where Createspace or the Book Depository ships. The book may or may not be signed depending on where the winner lives.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go enter!!! And man, guys, I'm sorry for this extremely long and fangirly post...no, check that. I'm not sorry. XD This was just so much fun!!!!! I enjoyed the whole thing and both of these books. Definitely go read them. <3

Have you read anything by Tricia Mingerink or Sarah Addison-Fox? Are you planning to read Dissociate and Dagger's Sleep? Talk to me in the comments!!!!!

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Older Posts

Decree Blog Tour

Review

Giveaway

BLOG TOUR: Dissociate and Dagger's Sleep! (Feat. interviews with TRICIA MINGERINK and SARAH ADDISON-FOX!!!)

Dagger's Sleep

My Review

Disowned

My Review

And giveaways!!!

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