#Blogmas | A Fantasy Christmas celebration feat. authors of fantastical realms | The Firebrand Chronicles by J.M. Hackman

Posted Thursday, 6 December, 2018 by jorielov , , , 4 Comments

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Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I appear to be on quite the roll this December for sourcing #newtomeauthors in the Christian Fantasy realms as well as finding a touring company for these tiles inasmuch as new publishers! It is lovely as I love seeking out stories which are gently told but have the scope and depth of what I am regularly seeking in #SpecLit! As the New Year starts to arrive, I want to have a better balance in my reading life – not just between the Historicals & Contemporaries I’m reading but also, to re-establish the Speculative Fiction side of my readerly life alongside my INSPY reads – as those two seem to get sidelined as quickly as my Classical Lit selections as I get charmed by so many dearly lovely stories every year! If I can sort out a way to re-balance what I am reading and thereby, read more across the realms I’m keen on *devouring!* I think 2019 shall be a rather splendid year to walk into my 6th Year as a book blogger!!

As you might have read previously on one of my showcases, I am being a bit particular about which of the authors & their stories I am featuring on #JLASblog during #FantasyForChristmas as I wanted to hand-pick the stories I most wanted to be reading rather than showcasing all the stories and perhaps, having a few of them simply not my cuppa of interest! I have had this intention of policy of what I showcase since I started blogging – I might not get to all the stories *immediately!* when I desire to read them but I do earnestly intend to seek them out as soon as I can thereafter! (hence why #BeatTheBackList is seriously going to be one of my favourite readathons this New Year’s!)

The novel I am highlighting today is a YA Fantasy series – happily able to give you a preview with an extract from the novel itself as well as continuing to provide the links for the publisher & author in case you want to do some research into both at your leisure. I am always intrigued by the cover art choices on #SpecLit stories – this one eludes to a hidden portal / dimension and who doesn’t love her swash of red in her dark hair?

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Spark by J.M. Hackman

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Published by: Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC (@L2L2Publishing)

Converse via: #FantasyForChristmas, #FantasyNerd and #FirebrandChronicles

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The Firebrand Chronicles:

Spark (book one) | add to LibraryThing

Published: 16th May, 2017 | ISBN: 978-1943788149

→ FLARE the sequel is forthcoming early 2019!

Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands.

Yeah, that’s so not happening. Unfortunately.

When Brenna learns her mother is missing in an alternate reality called Linneah, she travels through a portal to find her. But Brenna’s arrival in Linneah begins the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, including a royal murder and the theft of Linneah’s most powerful relic: the Sacred Veil.

Unwilling yet left with no other choice, Brenna and her new friend Baldwin pursue the thief into the dangerous woods of Silvastamen and beyond. Exactly what Brenna wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. When they spy an army marching toward Linneah, Brenna is horrified. Can she find the veil, save her mother, and warn Linneah in time?

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Enjoy reading an extract from “Spark”:

At the top of the stairs, a rush of air carrying the scent of wood smoke, moist earth, and sea salt filled my nostrils. On my left, a door to a small balcony stood ajar, letting in the fresh night air. A guy about my age stood near the balcony’s iron railing, his dark head bowed. He was seriously hot, his profile lit by the hallway torches. Dark, mussed hair, square jaw, and a straight nose—but the solemn set to his mouth drew me.

Was he okay? I could—you know what? None of my business. I started to turn away.

My plan to continue to my room vanished when I saw the knife clenched in his hand. He studied it, tracing the blade, fingering the grip. That couldn’t be good. Was he going to stab someone? Stab himself? He didn’t look like a criminal—but then you could never tell. Sometimes the creepers were the gorgeous ones, like this guy. The seriousness of the situation gave me courage. I stepped onto the balcony, holding the king’s stationery box like a shield.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I got ready to run in case he turned the wicked-sharp knife on me.

With a start, he slipped his hands behind his back.

“Nice knife you have there.”

His jaw tightened, and he shot me a glare. “I prefer to be alone.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

Heaving a sigh, he gazed at the shadowed scenery. From opposite sides of the horizon, two bright, glowing bands bisected the night sky. The twinkling stars gleamed through the rings before scattering to meet the shadowed black cliffs in the distance. Nearer the castle, the tiny glimmers of the surrounding city glittered, pinpricks of light.

“Wow. That’s incredible.” I pointed to the shining display. The whole scene was wonderfully romantic, but here I was, stuck with a knife-wielding weirdo. Really cute, but still a weirdo.

“The Petrus Rings. They encircle the planet.” Several beats of silence passed before he spoke again. “You are not going to leave me alone, are you?”

“No, probably not. I don’t want you slitting your throat or jumping off this balcony. Or both.” I paused. “Though that might be a little difficult to do at the same time.”

A chuckle escaped him. “I am not intending to harm myself.”

“Good. Then put the knife away, and we’ll all feel better.”

Slipping it into the sheath at his waist, he held up his hands. “Better?”

“Yes, thanks.”

His biceps flexed when he crossed his arms and leaned against the iron railing, his eyes attentive. “My name is Baldwin, and I am guessing you are one of the new visitors. The whole town is talking about your arrival.”

I startled, my eyes wide. “Why?”

“It is always an event when strangers visit, but your entrance was epic.”

Great. In the dim light, maybe he wouldn’t notice my blush. “I’m Brenna.”

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Of course! It would ‘end’ at the introductions! I was curious to know more about how she introduced her arrival – now that he’s broached the topic! You had to give her credit for approaching him at all as it didn’t seem like she has a lot of courage going up to strangers much less those who may or may not be intending to harm themselves. Still. I wanted to *know!* what came after their timid ‘hallos’! A good sign, of course, but ooh, so rankling when your curious about a novel you want to be reading!

I was also cheekily smiling when I read the bit in the premise about *stop creating fire!* – as that felt like something a sixteen year old girl would self-criticise herself over if her priorities were on other things rather than the curiously curious ability she had in her hands! Laughs with mirth.

This felt like the kind of fantastical journey you’d be hugged into your seat to finish – as its a chase-up to sorting out your destiny, your life’s path and being more confident in your own skin when you suddenly realise you have gifts everyone else doesn’t have themselves! Especially when you can jump through portals *and!* carve fire out of the ethos!

Hmm, a quick search on WorldCat yielded this title isn’t currently in circulation at libraries – seems like I need to add this to the queue of my next purchase requests! Isn’t that a lovely thought? I have a feeling I’ll have quite a few by the end of December! (big smiles)

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About J.M. Hackman

J.M. Hackman

J. M. Hackman loves thunderstorms, bookstores, and happy endings. She’s never met a reading nook she didn’t like and prefers soul talk to small talk. When she’s not writing, she spends time with her two munchkins and her handsome husband who support her in this crazy profession.

Her short stories have been published in the anthologies Realmscapes, Mythical Doorways, and Tales of Ever After. Her award-winning YA fantasy Spark (Book One of The Firebrand Chronicles) was released in 2017 from L2L2 Publishing. The sequel, Flare, is scheduled for an early 2019 release. She spends her days writing stories, consuming massive quantities of dark chocolate, and looking for portals to other worlds.

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This blog tour is courtesy of: Prism Book Tours

Prism Book Tours

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Fantasy for Christmas blog tour via Prism Book ToursClick through via the badge to find out what else awaits you! Especially as this is a special tour featuring Christmas SURPRISES for readers who LOVE a stuffed stocking!

Each day, a new author is showcased – I selected the authors I wanted to feature ahead of time, however, Ms Adams either snuck past my purview and/or she wasn’t yet confirmed – I’m so thankful to have had a second chance of becoming introduced to her series – as I’m already seeking it via interlibrary loan at my local library!

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Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers.

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{SOURCES: Cover art of “Spark”, the author’s photo and biography, blog tour banner and The Prism Book Tours badge were all provided by Prism Book Tours and used with permission. Post dividers and My Thoughts badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Stories in the Spotlight banner and the Comment Box Banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2018.

I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life

About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

read more >> | Visit my Story Vault of Book Reviews | Policies & Review Requests | Contact Jorie

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Posted Thursday, 6 December, 2018 by jorielov in #blogmas, Blog Tour Host, Book Spotlight, Fantasy Fiction, Indie Author, Prism Book Tours, Steampunk




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4 responses to “#Blogmas | A Fantasy Christmas celebration feat. authors of fantastical realms | The Firebrand Chronicles by J.M. Hackman

    • You’re wicked welcome, Ms Hackman!!

      As I was just relating to Ms Silverwood – I’m starting to sort out which titles I can tip the hat towards purchase at my local library and which I can borrow if they’ve been published past six months. Yours of course, is going on the list to purchase, as I was so surprised it wasn’t listed in WorldCat! I’d love to help other patrons of my library but also, those of our consortium have the chance to read the story! I can’t say if it will be selected – I won’t know that until I place the request & await their response but at least you’ll know I’ve attempted it! (smiles) Eventually, the books I request through my library will be future purchases for my own library shelves; til then, I try to help spread the word through my public library.

      Ooh, the excerpt!! I did NOT wish it to end! I couldn’t stop musing about her ‘entrance’ and what set her apart – why he was wielding that knife, ohhhh so many thoughts… a good extract to hook us into the story-line, that’s for sure! Thrilled to bits to interact with you here on my blog and also on Twitter earlier! Many blessings for your Christmas and New Year season!

    • Definitely, Ms Silverwood!

      So much so, I’m trying to sort out what to request for purchase at my library this December vs January; I might have a full list of 10x stories – so I’ll have to spilt them between the two months as we’re allowed to average 5x per month. They might not purchase them the same month we request them but they go onto a master list of requests and sometimes, they are added down the road. (big smiles) I was truly blessed this year by how many of my requests were accepted, including one I hope comes in time for #cloakanddaggerchristmas which is Betty Church and the Suffolk Vampire by M.R.C. Kashasian. It’s a new release this year by Head of Zeus (London) – I found it via the readathon’s announcement on #booktube?! I was overjoyed they accepted it – now it’s simply a wait and see on its arrival!

      I feel the same thing could happen once I sort out the titles I need to request for purchase based on these lovely new Fantasy authors and their publishers – as I’ve been visiting the publisher’s pages as well – noting other titles of interest, too! Definitely took me for a loop realising there were more INSPY Fantasy novelists out there I might be intrigued to read. Never saw that coming as like I had said before, I overlooked that niche previously! Either yours or mine are going to be toppling soon, I’m sure! (ie. TBR piles)

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