Is it just me or October really flew by way too fast? At the start of the month I moved into an apartment by myself, so the first couple of weeks were about getting settled in, buying stuff, finding place for everythinkg nad generally just getting a feel of the place. I’m doing pretty well so far and I’m definitely happy I made this choice. Although, I’m still not fond of housework…
But aside the excitement of the moving, life went on, blog posts were written, SPFBO books were read, lists were made, tours were organized.
That being said, it’s time for a Monthly Wrap Up, let’s see what we were up to in October!

In case you missed any of our reviews in October, you can read them by clicking on the title! 🙂 We didn’t have as many reviews this month, due to SPFBO and other stuff. But wait until November.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse – 4.5/5

Jen reviewed Rebecca Roanhorse‘s latest novel, Black Sun.
“The cultures are colourful, brought to life with touches of music, food, costumes etc. and I said it in my review of Trail of Lightning, Rebecca Roanhorse has a knack for breathing life into the lore and legends in a story, and doing it in a way that makes them feel as if they may spring from the pages.
It’s one of my favourite parts of her writing and what keeps me coming back for more.
Great story, great characters, and worth checking out.”
The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids – 4.5/5

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now and Self-Published Fantasy Month was a great excuse to finally crack it open.
“The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids will take you to a fun rollercoaster ride. McClung created a world brimming with magic, gods and highly entertaining characters you’d love to hang out with in real life. You really shouldn’t miss this series as I know it only gets better and better and OMG I can’t wait to follow these characters as they keep pulling on trouble’s braids.”
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee – 4.5/5

Arina read Yoon Ha Lee‘s newest release, Phoenix Extravagant.
“With rich vocabulary, writing as fascinating as skillful brushstrokes, and a slow-burn story filled with longing and chilling moments of divisiveness, Phoenix Extravagant will claim a spot on the shelf of anyone looking for a remarkable read within any genre.”
A Ritual of Flesh by Lee C Conley – 4.5/5

Jen reviews the recently released sequel to A Ritual of Bone by Lee C Conley.
“A Ritual of Flesh is a good creepy zombie story that is perfect for this time of year, with Halloween fast approaching.”

Updates
We have a finalist!
On October 31st Phase 1 of SPFBO 6 ended. This month we continued reviewing our semi-finalists and we announced our finalist.
Reviews

A broken man, Khraen awakens alone and lost. His stone heart has been shattered, littered across the world. With each piece, he regains some small shard of the man he once was.
He follows the trail, fragment by fragment, remembering his terrible past.
There was a woman.
There was a sword.
There was an end to sorrow.
Khraen walks the obsidian path.

No one promised Aleksei Drago an easy life. Growing up amongst the Ri-Vhan of Seil Wood, losing his mother and just as suddenly being torn from the forest folk, Aleksei had no choice but to make the best of an unpredictable situation.
But what happens when the monsters and figures of fiction become horrifyingly real? How will Aleksei cope? When the stakes are at their highest, will he finally falter? Or will he rise to the occasion, reforging himself into the man Prophecy demands he become? In a world of magic and Magi, of Angels and Demons alike, how will a simple farm boy survive his own contorted destiny?
This is the story of a seemingly-simple world gone mad, and the reality that every action, no matter how apparently benign, can serve to unravel terrifying truths. This is the story of Aleksei Drago, farmer, Hunter, and so much more.

Led by dragons, the Emperor’s vast army conquers every nation in its path…
The Emperor seeks to free the Dragon Queen from the Abyss. The only ones who could have opposed him are the Knights of Dragonwatch, an ancient order created to defend the world against the Dragon Queen, and they are no more, betrayed by one of their own and hunted to extinction.
Jarryd is a young man with a secret. He sees demons. The visions have plagued him since he witnessed a traumatic event as a small boy.
Jarryd lives in fear that his secret will be discovered, and he will be condemned to the fate of those who consort with demons. Or, even worse, that the demons will consume him, make him one of them.
As the visions grow ever more powerful, Jarryd sets out on a journey to find answers at Knights Keep, the ancestral home of the Dragonwatch Knights. The journey brings him to the notice of the Emperor himself and sets Jarryd on a desperate quest to resurrect the Dragonwatch Knights.
Can Jarryd overcome the demons within himself and defeat the Emperor in time? Or will the Dragon Queen escape her prison and ravage the cosmos once again?
Party with the Stars
Have you ever wondered what might happen if you could throw a party of your choice and not only could you invite your MC(s) but other literary figures as well? In this feature, Party with the Stars, I ask you to imagine exactly that scenario and some more.

S.L. Rowland is a nomad. Born in the South, he loves traveling and has road-tripped coast to coast three times over. He currently lives in St. Louis with his Shiba Inu, Lawson. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, weightlifting, playing video games and having his heart broken by various Atlanta sports teams.

A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids. Dave is the author of Snood, Snoodoku, Snood Towers, and other computer games. Dave first published Snood in 1996, and it became one of the most popular shareware games of the early Internet. Recently, he’s published some puzzle card games, including Doctor Esker’s Notebook. Dave teaches geology, environmental studies, and computer programming at Guilford College, and he does improv comedy every week at the Idiot Box in Greensboro, North Carolina. He’s also played the world’s largest tuba in concert. Not that that is relevant, but it’s still kinda cool.

Bekah Berge fell in love with all things mystical at a young age. Her love of stories led to her writing her first book in her early twenties, and she’s never looked back since. When not scribbling down fantastical tales, she enjoys traveling, baking, and brewing the perfect cup of tea.

Nicholas McIntire has been telling stories since he was old enough to form words. This is the first novel he has published properly, as the dozens of previous projects he has created over the past 28 years will doubtfully ever see the light of day (at least in their current forms). He lives in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Book Blitz

Fairy tales are not what they seem.
Gisela knows about sacrifice all too well.
She abandoned her education, friends, and fairy tales to support her family and care for her sister.
But when she jilts a wealthy suitor, Gisela is chosen for another type of sacrifice.
As an Offering to the Goddess Bergot, Gisela and seven others are sent on a deadly quest for a mythical crown. To return home, Gisela must overcome obstacles which darkly resemble the fairy tales she once believed.
Weaving through a tapestry of friendship, romance, violence, and magic—Gisela becomes the target of an ancient evil force, while an ominous detail from the past haunts her at every turn.
To what lengths will Gisela go to save the ones she loves?
Sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Cover Reveal
Organized by Storytellers On Tour, we brought to you the brand new cover of the second book in the Tales of Arvia series, Finding Your Harpy Place by D.H. Willison. Which soon will be followed by a book tour as well!
Organized by Storytellers On Tour, we brought to you the brand new cover of the soon to be released The Archive, sequel to Hollow Road by Dan Fitzgerald.

9 Creepy Reads for the Spooky Season
The ladies of the Asylum came together to recommend some creepy reads for the season. Although Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give these books a go!
6 Sci-Fi Horror books for Halloween
Are you into Sci-Fi Horror? Well, Arina got you covered and prepared a list for you in case you are still in the Halloween mood.

Frozen Rage by Steve McHugh

We gave the spotlight to Fozen Rage, a novella from the Hallequin Chronicles‘ world by Steve McHugh in celebration of its release! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews and other posts. Come and learn a bit more about the world of Frozen Rage through a Q&A with Steve!
A Wizard’s Forge by A. M. Justice

We gave the spotlight to A Wizard’s Forge, the first book of the Woern Saga by A. M. Justice in celebration of the release of its sequel, A Wizard’s Sacrifice! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Come and learn a bit more about the world of A Wizard’s Forge through a Q&A with Amanda!
Children by Bjørn Larssen

We gave the spotlight to Children, the first book of the Ten Worlds series by Bjørn Larssen in celebration of its release! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Come and learn a bit more about the world of Children through Bjørn‘s fan cast and playlist!
A Ritual of Bone by Lee C Conley

We gave the spotlight to A Ritual of Bone, the first book of The Dead Sagas series by Lee C Conley in celebration of the release of its sequel, A Ritual of Flesh, which is out now! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Come and learn a bit more about the world of A Ritual of Bone through Lee‘s fan cast and playlist!
A Grave Reflection by A. Lawrence

We gave the spotlight to the Grave Reflection, the first book of the Ghost Punch series by A. Lawrence in celebration of Halloween! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Come and learn a bit more about the world of Grave Reflection through A. Lawrence‘s playlist!
I think that’s it for October. I hope to see you all in November!
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