Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair 2022 – #Paranormal Marcia Meara, #Fantasy J. M. Murphy, #YAFantasy Janice Spina

Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Book Fair with a selection of books from personally recommended authors on my bookshelf I believe will make wonderful gifts for friends, family and for you.

The first author is Marcia Meara with the first in her Emissary Trilogy… I enjoyed all three books and can highly recommend them. Here is The Emissary

About the book

Was Gabe Angelino, the mysterious truck driver in Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2, really an angel, as Willow Green believes? Or was he simply a good man, determined to help a stranger in need? Find out, as author Marcia Meara reveals the truth in the first Riverbend spinoff novella, The Emissary.

An angel’s work is never done—that’s part of the gig. But angels hadn’t been created to deal with such a vastly over-populated planet, rife with misery, suffering, and general chaos. Helping souls in peril has become a nearly impossible job, and even angelic tempers are frayed.

The archangel Azrael has had enough. He believes he’s found a way to ease their burden while saving jeopardized humans, too—hired help.

One of the reviews for the book

Mae Clair 5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you want a book to be . . .

This book is so ridiculously entertaining, I couldn’t put it down. It plays on ALL the emotions—humor (in spades), sadness, heartfelt joy, anger, frustration, and a wonderful ending. WOW! The author knows how to tell a phenomenal tale and craft a good story. This is a relatively short read, but it’s a rich read with fully developed characters and plot lines. I especially loved the relationship (and witty dialogue) between Jake and angel Azrael.

After experiencing death, Jake is sent to Earth as an “emissary.” His job is to help others who are in trouble, or who might be on the verge of tossing in the towel. He’s not an angel, has some limited powers, but can still experience pain and emotions. He can also be snarky when he wants to be, especially when dealing with his “boss” Azreal. The scenes between these two are pure gold, and had me laughing out loud. The author has an amazing gift for sly humor. Yet, at other parts in the novella, she had me sniffling with numerous emotional scenes that expertly tug heartstrings. I’ve read other work by Marcia Meara and never come away disappointed. I’m hoping there will be more “Emissary” novels and novellas to follow this one. I HIGHLY recommend it! 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US –  And: Amazon UK

A selection of other books by Marcia Meara

Head over to find out more about Marcia Meara and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Marcia Meara on: Goodreads – Blog:Marcia Meara Writes – Twitter: @MarciaMeara

The next book is for fantasy horror fans and is the Calloway Falls by J. M. Murphy

About the book

“Dark claustrophobic tale that packs a powerful punch.” – Wayne Laybury

The key to the multiverse is missing! During this great threat to all creation, Calloway Falls, a small town in North Dakota is cut off from the rest of the world, and nobody can get in or out. As the residents are pitted against each other, River, a displaced outcast, makes a pack with darkness to find the missing key.

Inside the trapped town, Pam Barrett is living a fake life. But as her society crumbles, Pam sees the secrets of her past unravel, exposing vulnerabilities she hoped would remain hidden. When River, posing as her husband’s cousin, meets Pam and forms a connection with her lonely son Danny, everything changes.

But the dark architect of the town’s isolation has only ninety days to find the key and unleash terror on the multiverse. Will River choose to ditch his dubious allies and remember his true purpose and will Pam find the courage to embrace a startling revelation.

Fast paced urban fantasy about two unlikely heroes who are thrust into a battle to save our world and all others.

One of the early reviews for the book

Barry m.5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Exciting Original  Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 20 October 2022

Lots of twists, Calloway Falls had me hooked from the start. The story is set in a modern-day town that is cut off from the rest of the world in a sort of parallel dimension and there is crazy tension between the people living there that gets worse with the lockdown. Added to that creatures from other worlds are locked in their own battle to find the key of the multiverse but are blocked from fully entering Calloway Falls because of some universal law, so they have to get the ringwardens to do their searching for them.

The main characters are believable and well developed and I especially related to River, who started out okay but got broken down by the world. Pam took a bit of getting used to but I liked her more and more as her character developed and she started standing up to that horrible husband of hers. Danny her son is an interesting character thrown into the mix and a question mark throughout the book. All in all it is a great story with an ending that it both stunning and uplifting. If you love a book you can’t put down with flawed, relatable heroes then this book is a must!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US –

You can discover more about J. M. Murphy – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Goodreads – Facebook

The final book today is by Janice Spina and is the Teen and YA fantasy –The Unknown Territory: Gateskin Chronicles Book 2

About the book

The adventures continue in this addition of Gateskin Chronicles. Many new characters and creatures are introduced. Spells abound with magic all around. Many visitors come to Sovorotskina looking for asylum from the evil King Kaposkaran of Parotovina. Will King Gateskin accept them all or even be able to trust them not to be spies for the evil King?

Serena uses her powers to assist when wolves come their way. Other creatures are also about and threaten the safety of the village.

Kaposkaran finds himself in trouble when his village is attacked by creatures. Will he turn to Gateskin for help? If he does, what will Gateskin do?

There is a spy about in Sovorotskina. Will the spy be discovered and somehow stopped from undermining the magic of King Gateskin and his family?

One of the reviews for the book

Michelle Clements James 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Characters and Storyline

King Gateskin, his family, and the people of Sovorotskina are back to fight off the enemy, evil King Kaposkaran of Parotovina. I have waited for this second book in the Gateskin Chronicles with great anticipation. As in everything, Janice Spina writes, her writing is always age appropriate and filled with imaginative characters and great stories. The characters in The Unknown Territory: Gateskin Chronicles Book 2 are beyond fabulous! The existing characters are consistent with the first book, The Legend of the Taken Ones: Gateskin Chronicles Book 1. The new characters follow in the tradition of the former characters with the addition of some fabulous new creatures in The Unknown Territory. If they’re good, they’re very good, but if they’re followers of King Kaposkaran, they’re diabolical. But can Kaposkaran be so evil that these followers are willing to risk life and limb to escape Parotovina and join forces with Gateskin?

Appropriate for both young adults and adults, I promise you will not be able to put down The Unknown Territory: Gateskin Chronicles Book 2. It is mesmerizing! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Gateskin and the people of Sovorotskina in Book 3.
There is no way I can rate this anything but a five-star book! 

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

A small selection of other books by Janice Spina for children and adults

Discover more about Janice Spina and buy the books:Amazon US – and :Amazon UK – Follow Janice: Goodreads – blog:Jem’s Books – Twitter: @janice_spina  

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books… Sally