Gimme The Scoop Reviews: Epic Fantasy

Thorn
of the Night Blossoms

Scions
of the Black Lotus Book 1

by
JC Kang

Genre:
Epic Fantasy

Thorn
of the Night Blossoms is
the start of a complete, 6-book series.

For
an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan in the Floating World
seems like a waste of her talents... until killers target her clan
sisters.

In
the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest
soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency
by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased.

Half-elf
Jie doesn’t mind her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the
most sought-after house. It’s perfect cover for her real work as an
assassin in the emperor’s service, and keeps her close to one who
matters most. Her life belongs to her clan, but her heart lies with
clan junior, Lilian.

Lilian’s
talents trade stealth for sensuality, poison for poetry. With looks
as sharp as any blade, she can coax information from any man, and
still leave him paying for the pleasure. She’s enthralled many a
noble, none more important than the warlord who can calm a brewing
insurrection. Only her sweet whispers can secure his obedience to the
throne.

But
now, his increasing abuse has Jie seeking a new assignment for
Lilian—even if it means their separation. When killers target clan
sisters, and the seeds of rebellion find fertile soil in the Floating
World, Jie must choose between loyalty and love.

**Get
it FREE 1/22-1/26!! Only .99 cents after that!**

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Lunar
New Year Sale!

In
celebration of Chinese New Year, JC Kang is offering all of his
single books for 99c/p in the US/UK from 1/22-28. In addition, Thorn
of the Night Blossoms is FREE 1/22-26!

http://jckang.dragonstonepress.us/2020/01/18/lunar-new-year-sale/

JC
Kang's unhealthy obsession with Fantasy and Sci-Fi began at an early
age when his brother introduced him to The Chronicles of Narnia, Star
Trek, and Star Wars. As an adult, he combines his geek roots with his
professional experiences as a Chinese Medicine doctor, martial arts
instructor, and technical writer to pen epic fantasy stories.

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Stella of Akrotiri: Diana

An Ancient Greek Tale of Immortals Book 3

by Linda Rae Sande

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Twisted Teacup Publishing

Publication Date: December 25, 2019

Born an orphan, raised as a warrior princess, desired by men. Can an Immortal claim her heart?

The first adopted daughter of Stella and Darius, Diana has been raised as if she were one of the fabled Amazon princesses. Her mornings are spent training with Darius at the agōgē, her skills as a warrior matched only by a few of the Deminon army recruits. Her afternoons are spent with Stella as she learns the art of diplomacy and the importance of service to others.

Never does Diana wonder why her parents are so devoted to one another, or why they seem to speak of the past as if they lived in it.

The curious stares aimed in her direction by the agōgē’s doctor, Antony—even when she’s not in the circle of battle—has Diana on edge. Learning she has a much older adopted brother—one who seems to youthen as he ages—has her questioning her origins.

So the arrival of Augustus of Assyria seems fortuitous. Her father’s oldest friend is welcomed with open arms even as he is followed by a threat to the future of Deminon. With his intimate knowledge of her parents, perhaps he’ll have the answers Diana seeks. Or will the Roman senator’s revelation about her only complicate matters? For his attentions are far more intense than those of Antony—and far more arousing.

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Stella of Akrotiri: Deminon

An Ancient Greek Tale of Immortals Book 2

Publication Date: December 25, 2018

Love can last a thousand lifetimes when you’re an Immortal... or so they thought.

What’s become of the Immortal Darius? His wife, Stella, worries about his fate as she rules over their city-state of Deminon, especially when she learns he’s been the victim of treachery. She’ll do anything to get him back.

Enslaved as a traitor to Rome, Darius is forced to fight gladiators as part of the funeral rites of powerful Romans. His years of experience on the battlefield serve him well in the arena—until he’s forced to fight Marcus—a younger, stronger gladiator who is unaware of his own immortality.

Sure he’s about to suffer a defeat by the hand of Marcus, Darius is forced to make a decision that will change his future and Stella’s—preserve his essence by allowing his body to die so that he can live on in Marcus. His two-thousand years of memories and life experiences should be powerful enough to overcome the essence of the untested Immortal. Allow him to return to Stella and resume their life together, even if she won’t immediately recognize him.

But Marcus isn’t giving up so easily. Especially when he meets Stella.

Will Marcus help Darius take revenge on the one whose deceit led to his arrest on charges of treason? Or will Darius’ essence slowly be subsumed, the memories of his nearly two-thousand-year lifespan—and of Stella—fading away in the mind of Marcus?

These Immortals once had all the time in the world. Now it’s suddenly of the essence.

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Stella of Akrotiri: Origins

An Ancient Greek Tale of Immortals Book 1

Publication Date: June 28, 2019

Immortality can be a lonely existence, especially when the world is about to implode.

For over six hundred years, Darius of Agremon has fought wars on behalf of those who needed his skills in combat. As a lechagos on Strongili, he spends his days commanding the Minoan coastguardsmen against pirates and marauders. His nights are spent alone, for despite having had wives in the past, he has watched them all grow old and die, childless, as he continues to live.

So when he senses immortality in an olive farmer’s young daughter, Darius bargains to take her to wife when she is old enough to marry.

A foundling, Stella works in her adoptive father’s orchard above Akrotiri, climbing the ancient trees to prune and to harvest the strings of pearls from their branches. She fears invaders when she watches flaming arrows arc in the sky, a sign the island is under attack. She worries about how the ground quakes beneath her feet and steam erupts from cracks in the ground. She wonders at the odd tingling she experiences whenever Darius of Agremon is near, a sensation not unlike the one she feels when spending time in the oldest trees.

Unaware of the arrangement her father has made with the lechagos, Stella thinks she has been sold into slavery when Darius comes for her. Her youth has been spent admiring the man who helped her father’s business thrive. Now she has only contempt for him and his hard-headed manner, despite the pleasures he incites whenever he claims her body.

While the earth trembles and a volcano threatens to destroy the island of Strongili, these two will have to forge a relationship that will last far longer than a lifetime—one that must endure an eternity and the disaster that’s about to wipe out the only home Stella has ever known.

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A self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time.

A fan of action-adventure movies, she can frequently be found at the local cinema. Although she no longer has any fish, she follows the San Jose Sharks. She is a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC) and makes her home in Cody, Wyoming.