book tour

Bookstagram & Creative Tour: The Cursed and the Broken by Chloe Hodge

bookishy

Today I’m excited to participate in the Bookstagram & Creative Tour for The Cursed and the Broken by Chloe Hodgehosted by MTMC Tours. This is a steamy, enemies-to-lovers dark fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Kerri Maniscalco and it was published on April 15th, 2022!

Title: The Cursed and the Broken

Series: The Cursed Blood #1

Author: Chloe Hodge

Publication Date: April 15th, 2022
Genres: Dark Fantasy Romance

Pages: 438

Format: eBook, PaperbackPurchase a copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Book Depository
Add on Goodreads!

Synopsis

Years ago, the dark queen was executed by witches, her cultists hunted down like rats and forced into hiding. Their black magic buried and put to rest, all was well in the world … or so we thought.

Kitarni Barany, witch and shepherd of her flock, has always been different. There’s a darkness in her blood and a destiny beyond the border of her small village.

Corruption is spreading, and the whispers of cultists stir through the woods once again.

Betrothed to the heir of the Wolfblood Clan, she risks not only her life but her heart. United, they must stand against the cultists, or watch the Kingdom of Hungary fall.

Cursed by Death and controlled by Fate, Kitarni is forced to meet her demons … or die by them.

A story of succumbing to wicked desires, death, and the temptations of deliciously dangerous love. The Cursed and the Broken is a steamy, enemies-to-lovers dark fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Kerri Maniscalco. No broomsticks or cauldrons here, only magic of the darkest kind and dimples to swoon over.

Review

The Cursed And The Broken is inspired by Hungarian folklore and is a story about witches. We definitely have more witches stories in our lives and this one is amazing. The Cursed And The Broken is inspired by Hungarian folklore and follows the story of Kitarni, who is such a great protagonist. She is strong, but also quick to judge, and I adored seeing her journey from an outcast to a confident woman. Also, her relationship with her sister, Eszter, made me wanna cry because of how adorable they were. I really enjoyed the appearances of Death, who wins best secondary character hands down. The entire story was so dark and atmospheric that I could imagine me in the Hungarian woods together with Kitarni. And the romance was so good 🔥 I do love a sassy, confident main interest with a soft side, and Dante checks all of these boxes. I really enjoyed this book, and I liked the good balance between romance and fantasy!

If you are looking for a dark fantasy romance with witches and a bit of spice, this one is just for you!

Playlist for the Cursed and the Broken

INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway!

Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where one lucky reader will win a paperback copy of The Cursed and the Broken!

Ends on April 27th, 2022. Winners will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.

CHARACTER Q&A – Kitarni from The Cursed and the Broken

Hi Kitarni! Can you introduce yourself?

Hello, I’m Kitarni, the eldest daughter of the Bárány family and shepherd of my village. I am also betrothed to Dante Sandor, heir of the Wolfblood Clan … insufferable asshat that he is.

Tell us what life is like as a witch in your village! Constant. Unchanging. Boring as all hell, if I’m being honest. We don’t engage with the outside world very often unless we need to go to the markets in the neighbouring village. It’s too risky with humans persecuting witches, so there’s not much in the way of excitement when you’re stuck behind invisible wards. Honestly, I don’t feel like I belong here. I’d much rather be out there—beyond the woods and exploring the world!

Lastly, what can we expect from you during The Cursed And The Broken?

Well, when I’m not dealing with Lord Asshat, being hunted by fanatics or dealing with a cult hellbent on bringing their dead queen back to life, I’m either assessing my own life choices or running errands for huntsmen and threaders of destiny. Okay, maybe it isn’t all bad. I meet some new friends and get to know my betrothed a little more … intimately … Hell, I’ll take that over dying any day.

Tour Schedule

April 15
@paperfury – Bookstagram & Book Blog

April 16
@readwithacapricorn – Bookstagram

April 17
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram & Book Blog

April 18
@picklesbooks – Bookstagram

April 19
@bookishy – Bookstagram & Book Blog

April 20
@librarybrookes – Bookstagram

April 21
@nelthewhichcraftsbooks – Bookstagram & Book Blog

April 22
@the_bookaddict – Bookstagram

April 23
@shaked_reads – Bookstagram & Book Blog

April 24
@that.bookmom – Bookstagram & Booktok

About Chloe Hodge

Chloe Hodge was born in Adelaide, South Australia to New Zealand parents and a Hungarian heritage.

In 2017 she completed a Bachelor of Journalism & Professional Writing at the University of South Australia, receiving recognition as a high performing student in the top 10 percentile. She was a finalist for the Julie Duncan Memorial Award, and holds a lifetime membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society. Hodge then proceeded to work for the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) as a radio producer in Adelaide, before spending some time in regional SA as a broadcast news reporter. Thereafter, she worked as a journalist for a technical grape and wine magazine before founding her own small editing business, Chloe’s Chapters, and starting a career as a Young Adult Fantasy author.

She now spends her time crafting fantastical novels brimming with magic and mystery, and building worlds rich with colour and history. Hodge creates a character cast full of underdogs and the morally grey—always seeking to triumph over evil, or perhaps live long enough to see them become it.​

Hodge lives in Brisbane, QLD, with her husband and two dogs. She can be found at chloehodge.com or you can contact her on her Bookstagram account @chloeschapters

Website | Goodreads | Instagram

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Bookstagram & Creative Tour for Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke

bookishy

Today I’m excited to participate in the Bookstagram & Creative Tour for Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke hosted by MTMC Tours. This is an Adult Fantasy Romance and it was published on February 15th, 2022 from City Owl Press!

BASICS

Title: Second Star to the Left
Series: Reimagined Fairy Tales #1
Author: Megan Van Dyke
Publication Date: February 15th, 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy Romance
Pages: 302
Format: eBook, Paperback
Purchase a copy: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble  | Indiebound | Blackwell’s
Add on Goodreads!

Tinker Bell, banished from her homeland for doing the unthinkable, selling the hottest drug in Neverland—pixie dust—wants absolution.

Determined to find a way home, Tink doesn’t hesitate to follow the one lead she has, even if that means seducing a filthy pirate to steal precious gems out from under his…hook.

Captain Hook believes he’s found a real treasure in Tink. That is, until he recovers from her pixie dust laced kiss with a curse that turns the seas against him. With his ship and reputation at the mercy of raging storms, he tracks down the little minx and demands she remove the curse. Too bad she can’t.

However, the mermaid queen has a solution to both of their problems, if Tink and Hook will work together to retrieve a magical item for her. As they venture to the mysterious Shrouded Isles to find the priceless treasure, their shared nemesis closes in. However, his wrath is nothing compared to the realization that achieving their goal may mean losing something they never expected to find—each other.

REVIEW

I’ve never would have thought that a Peter Pan retelling featuring a Hook/Tinkerbell romance is what I need, but apparently, it was. Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke is a fantasy romance telling the story of Tinkerbell, a pixie known from Peter Pan, who got banished from her homeland for selling her pixie dust. Tinkerbell, or Tink for short, is looking for another way home when she crosses paths with the famous Captain Hook. Needless to say, the sparks fly from their first meeting (even though Tink seduced him and stole his treasure).

I really enjoyed this book, especially the different approach to the Peter Pan story because I would have never imagined a Hook/Tink pairing. It works oddly well in Second Star to the Left. The chemistry between Hook and Tink is undeniable from their first meeting, and I absolutely loved seeing their relationship progress over the course of the book. Having a dual POV definitely helped me understand their relationship a bit more and made them both more likeable to me.

Tinkerbell is a perfect combination of adorable and badass, which doesn’t happen often in main characters. She can take of herself, but at the same time, she is not afraid to blush or cry. Captain Hook is the charming pirate who is probably gonna steal your heart from the first pages of the book, but to be fair all great love interests do that.

The book has a lot of different twists, some of which I was expecting and some of which took me by surprise. I enjoyed the little references to the original fairytale, and I liked the changes the author made. Smee was probably my favourite change the author has made. I have to admit that while I find Captain Hook absolutely swoon-worthy, a big part of my heart belongs to Smee.

Overall, it’s a perfect read for fans of Peter Pan, like me, who want something more adult and serious from a retelling. And, of course, if you are a romance fan you don’t wanna miss this one!

Q&A with the characters

Hi Tink and Hook! Can you introduce yourselves?

Tink: Tinker Bell here, but please call me Tink. I’m one of the youngest top tinkers in Sylvanna Vale’s illustrious history. Spending the day working on my designs and eating dew candy is the best.

Hook: Hello, loves. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Captain Hook, the greatest pirate to ever sail the Cerulean Sea, captain of the Jolly Roger, and the most devilishly handsome man you’ll ever meet

Tell us about your world! What is it like and how far have you travelled?

Tink: Well, I haven’t seen much of the human world. Pixies aren’t really supposed to spend much time there, but my cousin and I sneak in sometimes for a night out. Humans really know how to have a good time. The Sylvanna Vale, the pixie homeland, is a paradise! Lush vegetation, beautiful homes in the trees, crystal clear streams, and more food that you could ever need. We take care of the land, and the land takes care of us.

Hook: The sea is my wife, my home. I know it better than anyone living. There’s nothing better than the sun on my back, the gentle rock of the Jolly Roger under my feet.

Tell us 2 random facts about yourself! 

Tink: I might be a Tinker by birth and trade, but I love music. Most pixie’s do, and are great at playing, but if I’m really honest, human music is more exciting. They just infuse it with so much fun and life.

I can’t swim. Embarrassing, I know, but there really wasn’t a need in the Sylvanna Vale. But now that I’m stuck in the human lands, it really would be helpful if I knew how…or if I didn’t get seasick every time I step foot on a boat.

Playlist for Second Star To The Left

Fancast

Who better to play Hook than Hook?

Colin O’Donoghue played Captain Hook in the TV show Once Upon a Time, and while reading Second Star to the Left I imagined Hook as this lovely gentleman.

Lily James, in my mind, is a perfect actress to play Tinkerbell. She is adorable and known for her big smile. And she can also be a badass.

Her role in the Cinderella movie immediately came into my mind when I was reading Hook’s description of Tink!

INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway

Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where TWO lucky readers will win a paperback copy of Second Star to the Left, a $25 Amazon gift card + mailed swag pack and emailed epilogue!

Ends on March 12th, 2022. Winners will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.

Tour Schedule

February 28
@thereaderandthechef

March 1
@annoying_sidekick_thoughts

March 2
@paperfury

March 3
@thebookishmusician

March 4
@bookishy

March 5
@buildingourbookshelves

March 6
@thindbooks

March 7
@dreaminginpages

March 8
@shaked_reads

March 9
@the.book.nerd.fox

About Megan Van Dyke

Megan Van Dyke is a fantasy romance author with a love for all things that include magic and kissing. Many of her stories include themes of family (whether born into or found) and a sense of home and belonging, which are important aspects of her life as well. Megan also watched way too many Disney movies as a child, and adult, and has a deep love for fairytales and happily-ever-afters.

Megan is a former IT risk and security executive and current stay-at-home mom. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. A southerner by birth and at heart, Megan currently lives with her family in Colorado.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

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MTMC TOUR – FROSTED BY M.C. FRANK

MTMC TOUR – FROSTED BY M.C. FRANK

bookishy

Today I’m excited to participate in the Bookstagram tour for Frosted by M.C. Frank hosted by MTMC Tours! Frozen meets Jane Austen in Frosted, the new enemies-to-lovers Regency novel that will melt your heart.

Title: Frosted
Series: Regency Retold #2
Author: M.C. Frank
Publication Date: February 20, 2021
Genres: Regency Romance

Purchase a copy: Amazon | Book Depository
Add on Goodreads!

SUMMARY

Can two people hate each other more than these two?
She has a heart of stone. He is the notorious pirate every lady swoons for.
They have vowed never to meet again.

Captain Timothée Vaughn
Heart: Broken
Face: Gorgeous
Tone: Acidic
Pirate: Yes, he is
Marital Status: Forced into an engagement
Willing to: Break his own arm to escape his wedding tomorrow.

Lady Stella DeWinter:
Heart: Frosted
Face: Angelic but sad
Tone: Silent
Secrets: Many, but one in particular. A very dark one indeed.
Marital Status: Jilted Captain Vaughn right before their wedding, five years ago.
Willing to: Do anything to meet Timothée one last time.

Question: Why? (on earth)

Meeting place: The Frosted Ball.

What follows: Chaos. Noisy ballrooms. Starry skies. White flurries. Hungry kisses. Haughty stares. Frozen lakes. Shaking breaths. The truth. Finally. Frosted is a heart-wrenching romance about a pirate and an ice-cold lady who seem to have hated each other for years, inspired by winter-themed fairytales like The Snow Queen and The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It is set in a witty, glittering Regency world made up of a little bit of Jane Austen, a little bit of Georgette Heyer, and a lot of a modern heart yearning for romance, passion and a tall gentleman with a smoldering gaze. This is a broken tale of beauty, dark secrets and love lost.

MINI REVIEW

I really enjoyed the love story between Stella and Vaughn, and we all know I have a weakness for privateers so I basically loved Vaughn from the beginning of the book. The writing was amazing – I really felt as if though I was reading a book from Regency times, and the mood set by the book was absolutely magical! Also, the plot twist in the middle absolutely shocked me, and I really liked how it was handled. If you like historical romances I recommend you try this one!

5 HISTORICAL FICTION SHOWS TO WATCH AFTER READING FROSTED

Downton Abbey
It’s a British historical drama set in the early 20th century, which is set in the country estate of Downton Abbey, and follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants. Thanks to the show, you can get some insight into living in the English countryside (just like Stella), and see on the screen what proper ballroom behaviour is! Also, the British accent in Downton Abbey is swoon-worthy (just like Vaughn!).

the Tudors
It’s a historical fiction set in 16th century England, which follows the rule of Henry VIII, who is famous for his six wives and for the creation of the Anglican Church. It is a little bit before the time period in Frosted, but you can get the whole English court vibes (also, the communication problems almost equal Vaughn and Stella!).

Reign
It’s American historical fiction, but it focuses on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her life in the French Court. When I was reading about Stella’s dresses this show instantly came to my mind! Also, the dancing scenes make me think of Vaughn’s first Christmas with Stella.

the Spanish Princess
It’s a historical fiction, which follows the story of Catherine of Aragon, a Spanish princess, sent to England to become the Queen of England. The outfits in the show are amazing, and young Catherine of Aragon reminds me so much of Stella (I think their character development is quite similar).

Victoria
It’s historical fiction following the first years of the reign of Queen Victoria, one of the longest-ruling monarch in British history. The action of the show takes place more or less in the same time period as Frosted, and it gives good insight into what Stella and Vaughn’s world looked like.

MEET THE CHARACTERS Q&A

Vaughn! What led you to the pirate– er, I mean privateer life?

Vaughn: I was wounded in the Navy, and had to retire. I still have a limp, but that doesn’t prevent me from having adventures. I became a privateer because I decided to join a worthy cause, and help clear the high seas of criminals and pirates. Most privateers do it for the gold, but I have no need of it. Also, *voice grows dreamy* I had promised a girl that I would have a pirate ship one day.

Stella! What’s something you’re passionate about?

Stella: Some of my passions include reading, riding, gardening, and spending time with my best friend, Georgina. But my biggest passion is fashion. I spend hours looking over catalogues and dreaming up new gowns. Then, of course, there are the accessories, hats, gloves, slippers…I don’t often go to London, and Georgina says my fashion sense is wasted here in Highberry, but I highly disagree. Good taste and aesthetics are important everywhere, don’t you agree?

What’s your greatest strength?

Stella: I have gotten very good at hiding my true feelings. From myself, mostly. But I don’t know if that is a strength. I am told that I have been strong in the face of incredible adversity, but I myself don’t see it. I just do the best I can and carry on.

Vaughn: Love. My strength is love. Oh, and holding a grudge, I’m very good at that too. *thinks for a bit*. Wait…

TOUR SCHEDULE

April 26
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Book Blog
April 27
@gcreads04 – Bookstagram
April 28
@paperfury – Boostagram + Book Blog
April 29
@nelthewhichcraftsbooks – Bookstagram + Book Blog
April 30
@kalisbookishrambles – Bookstagram
May 1
@bookishy – Bookstagram + Book Blog
May 2
@greta_in_blues – Bookstagram + Book Blog
May 3
@joyfulreader – Bookstagram
May 4
@foksha_1996 – Bookstagram + Book Blog
May 5
@aliyahherondale – Bookstagram

INTERNATIONAL INSTGRAM GIVEAWAY

Head over to my Instagram account to win a paperback copy of Ruined (book 1 in the Regency Retold series) and Frosted (book 2). Both novels can be read as standalones! This giveaway is open internationally and ends on May8th, 2021. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – M.C. FRANK

M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that’s before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren’t exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.

She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she’s like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief.

She lives with her ‘dude’ in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed. Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn’t pick the easiest subjects for her novels.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

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