On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista

With a 4.8 star average on Amazon, On Viking Seas is book three of the four book Forerunner series. Based on historical events and set in the year 880, this installment will bring Norse legends to life!

Creativeheart describes in their five star Amazon review, “The third book in the Forerunner series by Jay Batista is as great a read as the first two books, where we are introduced to the Agneson clan, a Viking family whose allegiances and enemies quickly separate family members and create new destinies. War has created dire circumstances. The oldest son, Cub, who fought alongside his doomed father, has been taken captive and used as a slave in the tin mines. The oldest daughter, whose joyous wedding was the last bright spot in family life, is pregnant. Kara, a headstrong Viking maiden of 14, must decide to go with her heart rather than what is expected of her. Younger son Sorven’s actions are tinged with his feelings for revenge. And our small hero, Thorfinn, who is a “vardoger” who can separate his spirit from his physical body to travel between realms, finds greater use for his magical status. Jay Batista does an admiral job of weaving fact and fiction in a very exciting way. I read eagerly to see how each character grew and changed throughout the book. Lessons learned – keep your eyes open, practice your swordplay, and believe in magic.”

“This series gets better and better. I greatly enjoyed the first two books, but this one I couldn’t put down. We now know the main characters like good friends, and it’s easy to care about what happens to them – but there’s no telling what’s coming next. This well-paced and richly detailed book offers a balance of historic fact, believable fantasy and action that will keep you immersed and turning the page. Highly recommended.” Hunter J. writes in his five star Amazon review.”

Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire by Jay Veloso Batista

With a 4.8 star average on Amazon, Kara, Shieldmaiden of Eire is the final installment in the Forerunner series.

“Riveting & well-written, Book 4 in the Forerunner Series is an incredibly fun read. The story is full of captivating characters. The author does a nice job of weaving together the storylines along the way. Kara’s life as a warrior is full of particularly fascinating twists & turns. This is a terrific read & an absolute page-turner,” Doug raves in his five star Amazon review.

Lisa P. concurs in her five star Amazon review, “This story is an engaging mix of Viking history, magic, and action with Kara as a very likable and strong character. The ongoing growth of Kara as a warrior and the twists and turns of the plot and sub-plots kept me entertained all the way through. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with suspense, action, and adventure, this is a book (and series) for you.”

SoulBreather by Helen Garraway

With a 4.7 star average on Amazon, SoulBreather is the first book in the SoulMist series, a paranormal fantasy with a dash of romance.

“Soulbreather captivated me, despite fantasy not being my usual genre. Solanji, the protagonist, stood out with her strength and loyalty, avoiding the cliché of an overly dramatic badass. Her tender connection with Mav, a fallen angel once seated in power, added a sweet layer to the narrative.

Mav’s horrific experiences, entangled with betrayal and false accusations, pulled at my heartstrings. Yet, the beauty of the story unfolded as Solanji became the beacon guiding him to rediscover his light and strength. Without divulging much, the characters in this story are well-crafted, avoiding overdone tropes and contributing to a thoroughly enjoyable read that held me captive well into the early morning hours,.” Georgie writes in his five star Amazon review.

Naturalist raves in their five star Amazon review, “Though not my normal genre, (sci fi romance) this book was riveting. Helen Garraway draws the reader into the drama as it unfolds with rich language and imagery. There is adventure and romance between Mav, a fallen angel and Solanji, a rare human, as they work together for justice and the determination to save those around them. This book is for those looking for a different type of story, that draws you in, captivates and holds your attention. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.”

The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble

With a 4.3 star average, The Crimson Court is a tale of revenge, nobility, and high fantasy.

Larisa explains in her five star Amazon review, “This story of vengeance and conspiracy follows Kasia as she hunts down the men who assassinated her father. But there is a darker, much more dire evil looming in the flintlock/gaslamp world of Western Brakesh.

Noble does an incredible job of world building through multiple points of view, and you get to experience this breathtaking story through several very different characters over the course of the book. If you are a fan of diverse characters, swift action married with political intrigue, and vast world building rich with lore and culture, this book is absolutely for you. By the last quarter of the book I was completely gripped and could not put it down. One of my favorite reads so far this year.”

“…The Crimson Court is a fast-paced, multi-POV epic with feuding noble Houses and looming supernatural threats. If you like your epic fantasies full of politics, warring empires, and cool elemental(ish) magic systems, this is the book for you. This is the modern, flintlock, Eastern European-flavored A Game of Thrones, but with a much tighter focus, less sprawling and wheel-spinning, a bit less of the moral greyness. The Crimson Court has a lot of moving parts and is a complex book, but never feels overwhelming or gratuitously world-built, giving the plot a lot of ‘oomph’ and forward momentum. I loved this book and cannot wait for the sequel…” Nathan concurs in his five star Amazon review.

Drowned Sea by Tristan Miranda & Blaise Miranda

With a 4.9 star average, Drowned Sea is a dark fantasy, and is a tale of pirates, assassins, and heroes. Reviewers note that there are some violent sections.

S.S.S. explains in their five star Amazon review, “Drowned Sea is at once a sprawling fantasy epic and an intimate view of an individual’s tragic yet fascinating life. The worldbuilding is fantastic, and the characters are relatable and complicated–you can’t help but root for them. Would highly recommend!”

Catherine T. concurs in her five star Amazon review, “The world set up in this story caused me to instantly fall in love with it. It has such a well built narrative that I’m always ready to turn the next page and keep reading. Definitely recommended this book!”