WINTER'S CHILL by Morgan L. Busse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

THE NORDIC WARS Book #2

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I dreamed of you."

After a series of miraculous events, Brighid has survived one brush with death only to find herself all alone and running for her life once more, attempting to navigate a formidable mountain range in the throes of winter. When an unexpected injury slows her down to the point of fever and delirium, Brighid is rescued by an unlikely ally, a monstrous bear. Deposited safely among the Bear Clan she receives the kind of attention that heals her body and soothes her soul; however, it's not long before her arrival among the clan raises many questions; the least of which is her undeniable ability to fight and her uncanny resemblance to someone they loved.

Kaeden, the newly anointed Truthsayer, decided to remain in the White City for the duration of the winter months, learning more about his role as a healer and his Word given power to speak truth. When called upon to move towards the northern border, he comes face to face with darkness, the likes of which only the power of light can defeat, but at what price? And the remarkable young fighter whom he had freed, who regularly visits his dreams, will he ever see her again?

What an impressive continuation of an equally impressive story, flooded with intense spiritual parallels and unmatched character types. The physical miles separating Brighid and Kaeden throughout much of this narrative curiously result in a bonding of sorts, both to their callings and to each other. In doing so, they uniquely represent humanity's innate struggle to seek light rather than darkness, and truth rather than lies. Personally, I am looking forward to what may come next
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

BackCover Blurb:

Fighter. Emissary. Long-Lost Daughter.

Brighid has one mission as she returns to the north: to warn her people of the oath that binds them. But the mountains are treacherous, and snow comes early, leaving her on death’s doorstep—until she has an unexpected encounter that not only reveals a secret about her past, but also brings new allies into her life.

Meanwhile, the healer Kaeden must come to terms with the awakening of his Eldaran power. With winter approaching and the war on hold, he ventures to the White City to uncover his heritage. As he walks the ancient halls of his people’s birthplace, he discovers not all adversaries are across the battle line. He must navigate political opponents while searching for a way to stop those of his kind who have turned to the darkness.

Yet even the bitterness of winter cannot keep Brighid and Kaeden apart. A connection has been forged between them, and their bond might be the one thing that could save the Nordic people and end the war. 

 

Enclave Publishing, August, 2025

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy WINTER'S CHILL at Amazon, Christianbook .com 

DREAMWALKER by Carrie Cotten, Reviewed by Kim

A Christian Suspense Novel:

A Gripping Supernatural Christian Fiction 1

 

KIM'S REVIEW:
Dreamwalker is my first Carrie Cotten book, but it won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this story. It gripped me from the beginning and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. That is always a good sign!

Dreamwalker is fast paced, action packed, and intense! The plot is so unique! I loved how the faith thread was sprinkled throughout, showing us mercy and grace, and what true sacrifice is. It was interesting to learn about Andy and her unique ability, but her kind heart is what drew me to her. I really liked Will. He is such a steady, kind, supportive character. I would have loved a few chapters from his point of view. I love how this story ends and sets us up for book 2, Dark of Night.

I’m so impressed with this debut story and I can’t wait to read more of Carrie Cotten’s books! 4.5 stars!
*I purchased this book. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Even among special agents, Andromeda Stone is special. Her unique ability to walk in the dreams of others has placed her in the services of a secret government research and defense facility known only as The Agency. 

She always assumed it was because of her gift that she felt out of place, even among her family; but as she faces an entirely new, and dangerous, mission; perhaps it's something deeper that sets her apart.

 

May 2020

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy DREAMWALKER at Amazon

 

 

LADY OF BASILIKAS, Droseran Saga Novel #5 by Ronie Kendig, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

I have so wanted to know more about Vorn and Aliria and how they came to be together since reading the Droseran Saga, (which you absolutely must read if you haven’t already! It is one of my all time favorite series!) especially with the snippets we got to read in the paperback copies. Let me just say, it was totally worth the wait! I’ve always liked Vorn, but now? Now, I may have a slight crush! Lol. I absolutely loved him and how his relationship with Aliria came to be.

From the very beginning of Vorn’s story, we see that he has a bit of changing to do. I loved that my first impression of him was oh so wrong! And I loved watching him change. I seriously loved his redemption! Aliria also had some changing to do, but in her case, it was more of a maturing and I loved watching her do just that in this story. Their romance was perfect and I love them together! This is such a great story! Do not miss it!

Ronie Kendig never disappoints. I love everything about her writing style, her characters, and her storylines. All her books are must reads!
*I purchased this story. All opinions are my own. All. The. Stars.

BackCover Blurb:
She's determined to prove this errant king unworthy. He's determined to prove her wrong.

Under attack from without and within, Jherako teeters on the brink. Vaanvorn Thundred, suddenly in possession of a throne he never expected to inherit, will do anything to pull his kingdom from the edge, even if it means striking a marriage bargain with the formidable Faa’Cris. But a skycrawler opens Vorn’s eyes to realities outside his world, and his limits are tested.

Lady Valiriana has one goal when she is sent out from Deversoria: prove this Jherakan king, the one his people call the Errant, unworthy of an alliance with any Faa’Cris. When she exchanges her freedom for that of another, Valiriana finds herself under house arrest—in the king’s house. Determined to take advantage of her proximity, she delves into the depths of the king’s character. What she finds turns her mission on its head.

Vorn must decide: break a planet-wide Accord, risking his throne and life, or leave his country—his planet—vulnerable to threats far bigger than he ever imagined. And Valiriana grapples with unpalatable truths as she discovers the king is anything but errant, while her heart, on the other hand, is a different story.

 

Enclave Publishing, May 21, 2024

Available in digital ebook or hardcover.

Buy LADY OF BASILKAS at Amazon, Christianbook .com or Baker Book House 

SCEPTER OF FIRE by C.F.E. Black, Reviewed by Kim

 

Scepter of Fire is the epic conclusion to the Scepter and Crown series by C. F. E. Black. This story was so good, beautifully tying up all the loose threads. And while I absolutely love Aly and Red, Grey is still my favorite character! He’s that secondary character that immediately jumps off the page right into your heart!

Without giving away any spoilers, I can say this story exceeded all of my expectations. I am totally happy with how the main characters and the secondary characters stories ended. I was totally sighing during the last few chapters! The action in this story had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see how Aly and Red were going to win the final, epic battle. This is such a creative series and I loved seeing how it all unfolded!

While I’m sad this series is over, and I will definitely miss these characters, I cannot wait for Ms. Black’s next story! It sounds amazing! I highly recommend this YA fantasy series!

*I bought a copy of this book and I also received a complementary copy. This is a clean read, but full of allegory. 5 stars.

BackCover Blurb:
A world in darkness. A love that cannot be.Shocked by the revelation that followed the official coronation, Aly and Red march toward dangers they never saw coming and away from the things they both want most. Each must face their deepest fears and darkest secrets, finding strength when all hope is lost.

Death follows them. Evil hunts them. As a battle looms and a shadow rises, there remains only one path forward, and it will bring them toward their most difficult decision yet. To succeed is to lose something dear, but to fail is to watch the world fade into an eternal night.

Will the Beacon and Beholder fulfill their destiny—and will it be what they all hoped?

Enjoy the final installment of this swoony, high-stakes epic fantasy series today!

HillCity Press, April, 2023

Available in digital ebook and hardcover at Amazon 

SHADOW by Kara Swanson, Reviewed by Kim Ann #ReleaseDay

First, let me just say I really enjoyed Dust, the first book in this series, and I was really looking forward to Shadow to see how things wrapped up for Peter and Claire and the rest of the Neverland characters. Second, I have really struggled writing this review because I know how hard and how much work an author puts into writing a story, so I hate writing a negative review, but this story just didn’t work for me.

I’m going to keep this simple and short. This story was way too dark and way too depressing. For the majority of this book, bad won and when good did prevail, it was a small short victory where bad came right back and ruined anything positive that happened. The violence in some parts was over the top. I’m particularly thinking about something that happens to one of the main characters. It was way too detailed and gruesome. While the ending was happy, it was too little too late and a little too convenient.

Another big issue I had is that there was virtually no justice for a couple of main characters who did some seriously horrible things.

I really wanted to like this book, but there were just too many things that I could not get past.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 

BackCover Blurb:

Peter Pan has crash-landed back on Neverland. But this is not the island he remembers.

Desperate to rescue Claire and the fractured Lost Boys, Peter must unravel what truly tore his dreamland apart. But with each step, he is haunted by more of his own broken memories. Not even Pan himself is what he seems.

Claire Kenton is chained to a pirate ship, watching the wreckage of Neverland rocked by tempests. When she finally finds her brother, Connor is every bit as shattered as the island. Claire may have pixie dust flowing in her veins—but the light of Neverland is flickering dangerously close to going out forever.

Enclave Publishing, July 2021

Available in digital ebook and hardcover

Buy Shadow at Amazon

Buy Shadow at Christianbook.com

 

CRY OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse, Reviewed by Kim

 

Cry of the Raven is the final book in the Ravenwood Saga trilogy. This series is a must read! Each story is excellent and builds on the previous story. They do need to be read in order.

I love Damien and Selene! Selene’s faith journey was so beautiful. Their relationship and how it built from book one to this final book was so good and so satisfying and the ending was perfect without being too perfect. But, my favorite part of this story/series is the wonderful allegorical faith message. It’s about trusting God. Trusting Him with your life and those you love, even in death. It also really differentiates between His light and the darkness that exists without it.

I loved this series! I’m sad that it is over. I would love to see it continue with other books about the other houses! 5 stars!

*I bought this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The faith thread is perfectly heavy. 

 

See REBECCA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband's power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

Bethany House, Feb, 2020
Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding and audiobook:
Buy Cry of the Raven at Amazon
Buy Cry of the Raven at Christianbook.com

Cover Reveal Fun! DAWN OF VENGEANCE by Ronie Kendig

Dawn of Vengeance (Droseran Saga Book 2) by Ronie Kendig releases from Enclave Publishing in December 2020! This Limited Edition Hardcover is available now for preorder!
 

BackCover Blurb: A haunting prophecy upended his identity. Now it demands his life.

Once a formidable bounty hunter, Marco Dusan is plagued by insecurity as he tours the realm he now rules. This quiet, backwater planet is not as untouched as he’d once thought. Evidence of collusion between Droseran factions and the powerful Symmachians with their forbidden technology litters his encounters. Worse, all signs indicate Xisya, the alien who tortured him, is still snatching Kynigos Brethren—but to what end?

Corporal Eija Zacdari works hard to win a coveted place on the Symmachian hyperjump program, but instinct tells her their intel is flawed. Despite nearly failing the tests, she is assigned to the team—and lands in the middle of a bewildering conspiracy.

Haunted by a prophecy that promises pain and war, Marco forges alliances to protect the primitive world against Symmachia’s devastating influence. But one truth becomes painfully clear: the biggest threat to their world may be much, much closer to home.
 
PREORDER LINK:https://bit.ly/DawnofVengeance

**Hosted by Kim Ann "Isn’t it just gorgeous?" 😍😍😍

FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse, Reviewed by Kim

Morgan Busse has converted me to the genre of fantasy! This series is so good! If possible, I think I loved Flight of the Raven even more than Mark of the Raven. This story, without leaving us with a major cliffhanger, sets us up perfectly for Cry of the Raven. I can’t wait to see how this series ends.

What I loved most about this story is that it really focused on character development and the relationship between Selene and Damien. Their relationship developed at a perfect and believable pace. I also loved the action and tense moments in this story. I was literally on the edge of my seat and was flipping the pages as fast as I could to see what would happen! There were also many twists and turns that I totally didn’t see coming.

I am so looking forward to Cry of the Raven. I love this world and the characters that Morgan Busse has built. I’ll be sad to see this series end.

*I bought this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 2.5 faith element done through an allegory. 

Back Cover Blurb:
Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill.

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady's offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy The Flight of the Raven at Amazon
Buy The Flight of the Raven at Christianbook.com

CRY OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"When I walk in your dreams, your mind is open to me . . . "

Has Lady Selene Ravenwood finally discovered who she was born to be? A dreamwalker, using her power to comfort and unite, rather than seeking to manipulate and destroy? It appears that she is about to have the opportunity to prove her metamorphisis from darkness into the light; for trouble is brewing among the seven houses as the Dominia Empire breaches The Wall that has protected them for so long.

This exciting conclusion to "The Ravenwood Saga" is riddled with war and rumors of war; strategies implemented and allegiances tested. As Selene and Damien fight to strengthen their love for each other, they are also torn apart by their kingdom's demand for their unique gifts. In the end, it becomes increasingly clear that the Light has been, and always will be, greater than the Darkness.

"This is who she was. This is who the Light created her to be. And she would serve until her last breath, for as long as she lived." 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

BackCover Blurb:
Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband's power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

Bethany House, Feb, 2020
Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding and audiobook:
Buy Cry of the Raven at Amazon
Buy Cry of the Raven at Christianbook.com
 

THE FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Dreams are where the deepest part of a person dwells."

Selene Ravenwood knows the truth of this statement better than anyone, for she is a dreamwalker; able to enter the dreams of those around her at will. For many years the House of Ravenwood secretly employed this ancient gift as a weapon of darkness; Selene and her sister constantly honing their skills, poised to carry out heinous commands from the their mother at a moment's notice. Now that Selene has broken away from that destiny, entering into a hasty marriage relationship with Grand Lord Damien of the house of Maris, she wonders (not for the first time) who she was really created to be. If all the gifts were created by The Light, then why does her soul still remain so dark?

Not only is this story . . . . a great story; with its beautiful imagery and brilliant characterizations . . . . it's also a magnificent display of the power that light has over darkness; a tender reminder of the deep agony befalling those who seek the light only to be pushed and pulled and torn and shoved by the shadows; enduring constant whispers of falsehoods and accusations. Ultimately it's a great love story, for Damien and Selene have mountainous obstacles to overcome, not the least of which is whether or not Selene is even capable of giving her heart away to a man who cannot decide whether or not she can be trusted.

What a wonderful book! 

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a review, nor a positive review.

Back Cover Blurb:
Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill.

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady's offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy The Flight of the Raven at Amazon
Buy The Flight of the Raven at Christianbook.com

MARK OF THE RAVEN by Morgan L. Busse, reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"There were no choices . . . . . . . her future was dark and bleak."

As heir apparent to the House of Ravenwood, Selene has just been gifted; she's now a dreamwalker, and according to her mother, a surprisingly powerful one. Curious about an ability that the other six regions of her kingdom thought was destroyed, she listens as Grand Lady Ragna describes the seriousness of honing her skills, for she is to be the savior of her people by . . . . . . . . . . controlling the dreams of others to the point of death? It cannot, it must not, be true.

 Grand Lord Damien from the House of Waters is convinced that the Seven Houses must unite their gifts in order to avoid an aggressive attack from the nearby Dominia Empire. When called to the House of Ravenwood for a strategy summit, he hopes to build an alliance that will bring peace, maximizing the kind of unity that his deceased father longed to establish. Fascinated by the dark beauty residing in Rook Castle, he cannot help but wonder what kind of strength lies beneath Selene's cold veneer. . . . if he only knew, and yet, he is about to find out.

"A leader can serve her people by sacrifice and love."

"Mark of the Raven" captures the essence of light and darkness within an ingenious package of daunting expectations and ingenious characterizations. . . . . .taking its readers on a journey that leads straight to their souls.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
 
Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Available in digital ebook, paperback and audiobook:
Buy Mark of the Raven from Amazon
Buy Mark of the Raven from Christianbook.com

 

Introducing Christian Fantasy Author and Reviewer Kimberly A. Rogers

 

I'm delighted to feature up-and-coming  Christian fantasy author Kimberly A. Rogers. I've been reading her work for some time now because we share a love for Lewis and Tolkien and fantasy world-building. She has long impressed me with her writing abilities, her vast imagination, her industriousness and her solid Christian faith.  I very much recommend her blog for readers, especially parents, who want to know specifics without spoilers for fantasy stories. She will very soon join the ranks of the published with her own fantasy works, and I can see nothing but success in her future.

I'll let her tell you a bit about herself.

I never expected my blogging experience to work out quite the way it did. When I created So You Want to Write Christian Fantasy, it was with the intention of writing articles about the ins and outs of Christian fantasy. However, I quickly found that it is a lot easier to write book reviews than focusing solely on how-to articles, especially since I have a busy academia life right now. My blog is intended for writers but it is also intended for readers who are searching for fantasy with a Christian twist or at least will be cleaner than many of the secular offerings.
Part of the reason my blog focuses on reviewing fantasy books is because I am a fantasy author and I firmly believe in the advice that you should be familiar with the genre you're writing. When I first started writing, Christian fantasy involved dragons and that was pretty much it, which was scary for me because my books weren't about dragons. I prefer to write about shapeshifters but I did NOT want to write the sort of stories that the secular branch of fantasy was offering. When I started collecting fantasy books to review, I was pleasantly surprised to find the non-dragon Christian fantasy books did exist . . . in the indie publishing realm.
The talent present in the books, even the ones that occasionally needed more editing help, has astonished me. I read and reviewed over twenty books for my blog last year and only three books truly disappointed me. But the goal of my reviews has been to provide help for both readers and the writers since I grade the book on its plot, content, and technical before giving an overall grade. My hope is that the authors will see my notes and take away a positive critique instead of dealing with the frustration of having readers who know "something" isn't working but they can't express it clearly enough to be of help to the author. As a fellow writer, I know how frustrating vague feedback can be but as a reader, I also know how frustrating it is to get a book that only has glowing if vague reviews but it has serious content issues such as gratuitous sensuality, violence, and language. Therefore, I try to write reviews that assess possible issues, taking into account that what bothers me might not bother other Christians and vice versa, without giving away too much.
By focusing my blog on the book reviews, I have also established many new connections in the world of Christian indie and hybrid fiction. This is definitely an unlooked for bonus from my perspective since it has led not only to more books for review but also to establishing a better sense of camaraderie with fellow Christian authors who have been where I am on my own writing journey. Although, I must admit that my absolute favorite part of blogging is when I receive a review copy. I currently have one that I've been bouncing off the walls waiting for newly arrived and it's taking everything to sit here and write instead of reading.

This year I am looking forward to reading more books by new favorites and discovering new must-reads. My blog has taught me that not only am I not the only one writing Christian fantasy but the reviewing process also helps me to grow in my own writing as I learn from other writers' mistakes and triumphs. Some of the books I've reviewed have been clearly influenced by the author's faith even when the story was not meant as an allegory and others struggled to weave faith with fiction, either coming on too strong or too weak. Both the struggles and the triumphs of writing Christian fantasy experienced by other writers reminds me of why I started writing ten years ago. I write for God and myself first. I am writing the stories I want to read—the fantasies that range from urban to epic to a sweeping medieval-esque romance—and all of them are written to honor God. My characters are not always human; in fact, my first book, Tiger's Paw, focuses on shapeshifters trying to protect their secrets in a world of humans and elves, but I hope when others read my stories they will still see how my faith influences my writing.

Kimberly A. Rogers writes in-depth reviews of Christian and secular fantasy as well as articles for Christian fantasy writers at her blog So You Want to Write Christian Fantasy? Of course, only when not in the midst of writing papers and taking exams in the pursuit of her Masters in Religious Education. Kimberly lives in Virginia where the Blue Ridge Mountains add inspiration to an over-active imagination originally fueled by fantasy classics such as the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Her first book, Tiger's Paw, is scheduled for release in May 2015.

Connect with Kimberly on:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/KimberlyRWriter

Blog - http://kimberlyrogerscfwriter.wordpress.com