Blog Tour – Isle of Gold

Author: Seven Jane
Pages: 284
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Publish Date: 10/9/2018
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Photo Credit: Seven Jane [Author]

Where to buy: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

*Thank you Black Spot Books and Jean Book Nerd for providing an e-copy of The Isle of Gold for me to review. This review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by anyone.*

 

Synopsis

Mystery, Myth & Magic Meet in an Epic Adventure of Two Women Lost at Sea—
and the Secret that Binds Them Together

AN ORPHAN DISGUISED AS A PIRATE SETS SAIL FOR A MYSTICAL ISLAND IN HOPES OF UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF HER PAST

The year is 1716—the Golden Age of Pirates. An orphan who sleeps in the dusty kitchens of a quayside brothel, Merrin Smith is desperate to unravel the secrets of her past and find the truth about the events that brought her to the Caribbean island of Isla Perla as a child. Disguised as a sailor, and with the help of her longtime friend Claudette, Merrin joins the crew of the pirate ship Riptide, helmed by the notorious Captain Erik Winters. Tenacious and rumored a madman, Winters is known as much for his ruthlessness as for his connection to the enigmatic and beautiful proprietress of the Goodnight Mermaid, Evangeline Dahl, who vanished from Isla Perla two summers before.

At sunset the Riptide sails for the mythical island of Bracile, a place hidden between air and sea and that exists only for a moment every two years, and which has never returned any man who has sailed for its shores. The journey will be perilous and long, and it will take Merrin far away from the only home she’s ever known. Because she can read, Merrin will serve as the Captain’s apprentice, deciphering old texts for clues to the island’s whereabouts as the ship sails through haunted, frozen waters and into the very heart of the ocean. As she struggles to navigate the rough, seafaring life aboard a pirate ship, Merrin must keep her identity hidden from the scrupulous gaze of not only Captain Winters, but also Mister Brandon Dunn, the ship’s surly, legend-spouting quartermaster, and Tom Birch, the charming boatswain Merrin can’t help but feel drawn to.

As the Riptide makes its way to Bracile, Merrin begins to suspect that the men she has worked so hard to deceive may in fact be more connected to her than she would have imagined, and that perhaps her own past might have more to do with the Dunn’s legends and myths than she ever could have guessed.

In The Isle of Gold [Black Spot Books, October 9, 2018] Merrin Smith must face perilous waters, cursed sea goddesses, and the embodiments of some of the ocean’s most terrifying legends as she not only struggles to survive her journey, but to find the answers to the mysteries of her past.

A story where history meets fantasy, The Isle of Gold is an epic, emotional adventure of two women—one desperate to save herself, and the other determined to be rescued—and the secret which binds them together.  

“For as long as men have sailed the ocean, they have told stories about the sea,” says Jane. “It’s a place of mystery, myth, and magic—and this makes The Isle of Gold a perfect setting for an epic adventure that is not only a tale of historical fiction, but of the very evolution of a woman’s spirit as she seeks to find herself in a world of unpredictability and uncertainty.”

“There is an old saying that ‘the cure for anything is saltwater—tears, sweat, or the sea.’ In The Isle of Gold, Merrin’s journey requires all three.”  

Review

I actually enjoyed this book. It was a nautical historical fantasy filled with burly sailors and captivating seas, my escapist mind was living the pirate’s dream. The story overall was very descriptive and captivated the ocean adventure so majestically. I was able to immerse myself into the story and feel the rocking of the boat and the salty sea foam that filled the air, along with the cold satisfying feel. The author also created a backdrop that gave nostalgia to those who fall for a pirate story. There was an overlaying mysteriousness to it that I found quick intriguing and was the main reason I continued to red on.

The supporting characters were captivating in their own developing and really helped to shape Mirren’s [main character] story. I enjoyed Mirren’s character because it was relatable. She was clever, which gave her the ability to use her skills to set sail with Captain Winters in her crew. She was great at keeping secrets when it came to the crew never finding out that she wasn’t a young lad. She continued to use her wit and intelligence to learn more about the quest to find Mistress Dahl and help Captain Winters. Lastly, she had a curiosity spirit about her that welcomed those reading to also pique their curiosity of the pirate code, the island of Bracile and the reason for the journey. Back to the supporting characters – the author was able to find such a great way to fully develop and have stories for the supporting characters that sometimes isn’t always executed. I loved learning more about Captain Winters and their crew and was able to understand their stance in life so much more.

The story was filled with myths, mysteries and magical curiosity. It was a quick, yet enjoyable read. There were times during the plot where pace wasn’t always clear or pace was slower than expected but the author was able to be it back to the larger picture. The story had a Pirates of the Caribbean vibe while still keeping it’s originality at the forefront. The romance was whimsical and quirky and it fit well into the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a nautical fantasy but also readers who enjoy a strong world building novel.

About the Author

Seven Jane is an author of dark fantasy and speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Isle of Gold, was published by Black Spot Books in October 2018.

Seven is a member of The Author’s Guild and Women’s Fiction Writing Association. She writes a weekly column for WFWA‘s Industry News newsletter, and is a regular contributor to The Nerd Daily.

She is represented by Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and supported by Smith Publicity.

Praise for The Isle of Gold

“Part fairytale, part fantasy, part romance, Jane’s debut is full of colorful characters [and] a plot that will thrill the heart of any lover of magic, legends, and epic adventure.” —Booklist

“Jane weaves a tale of myth and magic . . . This tempting novel will entrance.” —Publishers Weekly

“A delightful, well researched and evocative historical fantasy that succeeds in bringing a fascinating era to life.” —Midwest Book Review  

Giveaway

–  1 Winner will receive a Signed Copy of THE ISLE OF GOLD and Swag by Seven Jane.

– 1 Winner will receive an Exclusive Swags for Upcoming Release.

Giveaway Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7751584/

 

Follow the tour!

Tour Schedule: http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2019/02/the-isle-of-gold-by-seven-jane.html 

 

Thank you Jean Book Nerd and Tor Books- for allowing us to be a part of this amazing tour. Please check out Jean Book Nerd’s site for more information about this tour and upcoming ones.

Release Blitz – Blackout

Author [s]: Janine infant Bosco
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 1^st, 2019
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Where to buy: Amazon|  Barnes & Noble*

*Sells for a limited time

*I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and have not been influenced by anyone*

Synopsis:

After years of struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse, I got clean and put my best foot forward. I became the man worthy of Lacey Parrish’s love and made the girl with the sad brown eyes my wife. But I’m not the only one in our marriage with demons. Diagnosed a manic depressive, Lacey struggles daily with her mind, never willing to succumb to the stigma of mental illness.
The odds have always been stacked against us, but the stakes have never been this high. Pregnant with our child, Lacey is forced to choose between her mind and the baby we wished for.
I can take pain, but I can’t take hers.
Helpless and at the mercy of all the things that plague us, I turn to my past.
It’s always our favorite sins that do us in.
Leather.
Lace.
Me.
Her.
Suffering through hell, hoping love is enough for us to survive one more blackout.

Review:

This book was an emotional rollercoaster of a read that I was not prepared for. I own a couple of Janine’s books but this is the first I’ve had the pleasure to dive into and boy was it a good one to start with. This book is the reason I was teary eyed on the train this morning and the reason I didn’t want to sleep. It was a raw page turner and the author did so well with enticing her readers into wanting more, and feel more for Blackie and Lacey.

This first book is part of a duet and it focuses on Blackie. Blackie is currently a recovering addict and married to Lacey, a woman fighting the mental illness that plagues her father. Each have a struggle to fight with self but together they balance each other and are stronger together. I feel in love with Blackie and Lacey. Their relationships, although riddled with so many events, emotions and chaos, felt real. We knew Blackie and Lacey loved each other and would fight anyone trying to bring them apart. Lacey was the woman who would take Blackie form his darkest points and bring that bit of light and hope he always needs, the light that makes him rethink relapsing. We know that Blackie’s life is not perfect, which is something I really enjoyed. The author did not spare any expense to not tell his most vulnerable story. I felt it was the only way I was able to see him as a flawed human. Blackie is set to have more responsibilities with the possibility of being president of the Satan’s Knight as well as becoming a father. With that added responsibility pressure, along with the journey of Lacey’s pregnancy, the stress may be eating away at Blackie. Can Blackie handle it? – It’s something I want all of you to find out. Lacey’s character development was amazing. She had so much on her and still continued to gain strength through each obstacle. She shined throughout the story.

Along with the character development, we get so many extra steamy encounters with them. Their love making is something that is almost poetic. It is intense [in a good way] and sensual which made it believable. It didn’t feel scripted or staged or something the characters had to do for doing’s sake.

This story line of addiction, mental illness, and uncertain futures reeled me in and did not let me go. The first book is left at a cliffhanger which left me yearning for more. It was filled with heartache, humor, love and exploration of the unknown. I cannot wait to continue this story and dive into more stories of the members of Satan’s Knight MC Club.

About the Author:

Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.

She is proud of her success as an author and the friendships she’s made in the book community but her greatest accomplishment to date would be her two sons Joseph and Paul.

 

Here’s a first look excerpt from Blackout:

Blackout, Book One Excerpt: “That’s Not How This Works”
©Copyright 2019 Janine Infante Bosco

Learning our baby might be born with a heart defect if Lacey remains on her medication was the final card to fall. Now, all that’s left is a mountain of debris and I don’t know how to drudge through any of it.
“Just go,” Lacey says, keeping her back to me as she fills a water glass. It’s the third time she’s poured herself a refill and I wonder if she’s wishing it was something harder. God knows I’m fixing for something.
Scotch.
Whiskey.
Tequila.
I’d fucking drink turpentine right now.
“I’m not going anywhere, Lace, that’s not how this works,” I tell her, bracing my hands on the kitchen island. We both know what happens if I leave, the problem is she’s too wrapped up in her grief to realize she’s sending me straight to hell because if I do as she says, I’ll either go to a bar or drive out to Queens to score some drugs.
“Stop pretending like either of us know how anything works,” she hisses, dropping her glass into the sink. There’s truth to her words. A truth we’ve both been too fucking naïve to accept.
She turns to me, crossing her arms over her chest as she gives me her dark eyes.
“Every time we take a step forward, we take three back. We’re a fucking joke, Blackie. Two lost souls who will never get it right and now, we’re bringing a baby into the world. If that’s not fucking selfish, I don’t know what is.”
“You didn’t think it was selfish the first night I came in you,” I fire back, slamming my fist against the counter. My anger gets the best of me and I lose my patience. Everything, all the shit with the club, Jack’s failing mind, my addictions, and her fucking illness, it all comes crashing to the surface.
“I told you that night, I was worried about you getting pregnant and not because I thought we didn’t deserve to be parents or because I didn’t want to have a baby. I was concerned for you, for your fucking mental health but you told me there were people like you all over the world having kids.”
“People like me,” she repeats.
Ignoring the hurt in her eyes, I continue my rant.
“You fucking promised me you’d get in touch with your shrink. You swore you’d tell her we were trying for a baby—”
“I didn’t know I’d get pregnant so quickly,” she spats.
“You pissed on your fucking word,” I shout over her.
As soon as the words leave my lips, I regret them, but there’s no taking them back.
Maybe she was right.
Maybe I should’ve fucking left.
At least then I wouldn’t have to watch the painful expression fill her pretty face.
It’s funny.
I can take pain, but I can’t take hers.
Exhaling, I swipe a hand over my face and bow my head.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Lace.”
“Don’t be sorry for expressing how you truly feel,” she spats, furiously wiping at the tear that escapes the corner of her eye.
“I don’t know what the fuck I feel,” I admit, gripping the edge of the counter again. Frustration claws at me as I keep my eyes pinned to her. “All I know is the last thing I want to see is you lose yourself to your maker. I don’t understand why you won’t just talk to the doctor before you make a decision.”
“And I don’t know what’s so hard to comprehend. You know, it’s my body, therefore it’s ultimately my decision, but it’s our baby, Blackie. It’s not a dream anymore. It’s not a what if—I’m pregnant and I can’t understand how you would risk our child being born with a heart defect.”
Her words slap me in the face, and I clench my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check. There shouldn’t be a choice. We shouldn’t have to choose between Lacey’s mental stability and bringing a healthy baby into the world, but once again life’s got us by the balls. No one gets a say in the cards they’re dealt. You get what you get. You either play your fucking hand or you fold. Some people, go all in. They risk everything they got and pray they don’t lose. Others, they’re more cautious and maybe that’s because they’ve lost in the past. Maybe, just maybe they want to hang onto what they got and don’t want to press their luck.
I already visit one wife in a cemetery.
I don’t want to visit Lacey in the fucking psych ward.
“Let me ask you something,” I say hoarsely, pausing to swallow the lump suffocating me. “Have you thought about what happens after the baby is born? More specifically, have you taken a fucking second to think about what happens to you?”
She doesn’t answer me as she diverts her eyes away and I take the opportunity to paint her a picture.
“The baby is born, and she’s perfect. She’s got a full head of dark hair and the prettiest brown eyes either of us has ever seen. She’s everything we dreamed of and yet, I’m the only one living the dream. You don’t look at her the way I do. You don’t hold her and feel the same things I do. To you, she just exists, and you don’t understand why. You forget the sacrifices you made bringing her into the world. You forget the dreams you had for her. You forget it all.”
“Stop,” she orders, balling her fists at her side.
“No,” I growl. “I won’t stop. You won’t get to experience the joys of motherhood, Lacey. You won’t hold her in the middle of the night when she wakes. You won’t get to watch her grow or teach her how to walk. You won’t even give a fuck because you and your maker will be one. She wins and your child, the precious baby you fought to bring into this world, she fucking loses.”
Suddenly, Lacey spins around and takes the glass from the sink. Before I realize what she’s doing, she turns back to me and throws it across the room. It misses me by an inch and crashes against the floor.
“Get the fuck out of here,” she cries.
When I don’t move, she advances towards me and stands across the other end of the island.
“I want you to leave!”
“I’ll go,” I tell her. “But I won’t fucking apologize for a word of what I just said. Children are born with birth defects every day, Lace. Sometimes the doctors catch them early on and sometimes they don’t find out until the baby is already in the mother’s arms. That don’t make them broken or any less loveable.”

 

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive:  Kate Spade necklace (US only)

 Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba3ffd552184

 

Book two of the Leather and Lace Duet debuts on May 6, 2019

Follow the Author:

Website: http://www.janineinfantebosco.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/janineboscoauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/janinebosco
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2b98hQM
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janine-infante-bosco