Cover Reveal: Nomad by J.L. Bryan

Nomad

by J.L. Bryan

to be published July 26 2013 by J.L. Bryan

They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood.

By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight.

I am not too sure what is going on here but I love the hair and the boots! I love J.L.'s Songs of Magic series so I can't wait to see what he does with this new series! What do you think of the cover for Nomad? How does it sound to you?

J.L.'s Website | Twitter | Blog

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue.

Cover Reveal: Fairyvision by J.L. Bryan

Fairyvision

(Songs of Magic #5)

by J.L. Bryan

to be published February 18th 2013 by J.L. Bryan

The fifth book in the Songs of Magic series!

Jason, Erin, and the other Zebras go on a world tour with their enchanted instruments, only to encounter the mysterious supernatural Folk of India and the Far East. While they tangle with their record company, Erin tries to avoid dealing with the secrets she's learned about herself, while Jason pieces together a mystery surrounding a very special golden guitar called Caliburn.

In Faerie, Aoide the Lutist and her troupe finally return home from their long adventure. They're struggling to get new gigs, but Aoide senses opportunity in the form of special new magic mirrors that can broadcast concerts, plays, and other entertainment all over Faerie...

The Songs of Magic Series:

I freaking love this series and I love all of the covers. The new one is a lot darker than the others and I love that! Look at that eye! What do you think?

J.L.'s Website | Twitter | Blog

J. L. Bryan is the author of the Paranormals series (Jenny Pox, Tommy Nightmare, Alexander Death, and Jenny Plague-Bringer) and the Songs of Magic series (Fairy Metal Thunder, Fairy Blues, Fairystruck, Fairyland, and the new book, Fairyvision). Fairy Metal Thunder is free on Kindle, Nook, Apple, Smashwords, Sony, and Kobo. Jenny Pox is also free on Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Sony, and Kobo.

J.L. Bryan's Songs of Magic Boardgame

Today I am excited to have author J.L. Bryan stopping by the blog for a fun guest post.  I have read the first four books in his Songs of Magic series and I love them to bits.  They are full of awesome world building and characters that make you laugh on every page!  Read on to find out about some of the unique settings in the upcoming fifth instalment.

Guest Post

One of my favorite things about writing the Songs of Magic series is the freedom to create all kinds of fun, magical, silly, and often pun-based settings and creatures. To celebrate the release of Fairyvision, the fifth book in the Songs of Magic series, I’ve dreamed up elements of a Songs of Magic board game (which does not actually exist in any form...) and asked some bloggers to share them as guest posts. I’m so happy that Jenni agreed to post one here on Alluring Reads!

Following is the section of the game board that represents the third book, Fairystruck. I hope you enjoy!


Fairy Ring: Mysterious circles of mushrooms crop up here and there in man-world, deep in the wilderness or on moonlit hillsides. Enchanted music lures young people in to dance all night with the fairies, leaving them drained in the morning, with few memories of what actually happened.


Big Friendly Prairie: West of the Hauntlands, things get much nicer. The Big Friendly Prairie has friendly horses, flowers, and squirrels. It’s so cheerful and friendly that some eventually want to stab their eyes out because they can’t handle so much cuteness.




Caomhánach Village: This fairy village is nestled high in the limbs of a grove of ancient willows, hidden from the world by thick curtains of willow leaves. It’s a neat place.






Dullahan's Mansion: A crumbling Victorian mansion in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, with a backyard full of trees with fairy doors. The Queen’s appointed guardian, the wicked and sometimes headless dullahan, blocks anyone from traveling back and forth between Faerie and man-world, unless she’s busy.








Enchanted Dollhouse: Six-year-old Katie Becker can’t stop playing with the magical dollhouse given to her by creepy old Mrs. Dullahan.










Queen’s Labyrinth: Queen Mab’s palace is surrounded on all sides by a deep labyrinth full of monsters. It also serves as her dungeon, home to criminals and those who displease the cruel fairy queen.









Awesome Tree: Lying on its side in the very last patch of the old Enchanted Forest, this tree once stood as tall as a mountain, full of fairy doors. A few still remain among the roots of the fallen tree.

J.L.'s Website | Twitter | Blog

J. L. Bryan is the author of the Paranormals series (Jenny Pox, Tommy Nightmare, Alexander Death, and Jenny Plague-Bringer) and the Songs of Magic series (Fairy Metal Thunder, Fairy Blues, Fairystruck, Fairyland, and the new book, Fairyvision). Fairy Metal Thunder is free on Kindle, Nook, Apple, Smashwords, Sony, and Kobo. Jenny Pox is also free on Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Sony, and Kobo.

Enter the fairy game giveaway! One winner will receive an autographed set of the five fairy books, including the newest, Fairyvision. Follow J. L. Bryan’s blog for more Songs of Magic game posts and more chances to enter!

Don't miss the cover reveal for the fifth book in the series, Fairyvision, on February 18 here on the blog!

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Cover Reveal: Jenny Plague-Bringer

We all know that I have a little obsession with J.L Bryan's Songs of Magic series.  I haven't gotten around to reading his adult Paranormals series but they are high up on my "dying to read" list.  I'm so excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for the fourth novel in that series Jenny Plague-Bringer! The first book in this series, Jenny Pox, is free at most ebook retailers, here are some links:

Amazon | Apple | Sony | Smashwords

Jenny Plague-Bringer (The Paranormals #4)
by J.L. Bryan
to be published October 23, 2012

Jenny has enjoyed a year of quiet seclusion, but her peace is about to be shattered by two new paranormals who are searching for her. Their intentions are unknown. The timing couldn’t be worse, because Jenny can’t use her pox without risking the life of the baby growing inside her…

This sounds pretty intense! I haven't read the series but I notice that this one seems a bit brighter than the others in the series so it definitely POPS! What do YOU think?

The Paranormals Series so far...

J.L.'s Website / Twitter / Facebook

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue.

Fairyland Review/Giveaway

TITLE Fairyland (Songs of Magic #4)
AUTHOR J.L. Bryan
PUBLICATION June 2012 by www.jlbryanbooks.com
READ June 7 - 9, 2012
BUY IT Amazon

Jason and Erin’s urgent mission takes them deep into the colorful and deadly wilds of Faerie, full of bizarre and rude creatures, and past the glittering volcanic islands of the Southward Sea.

In man-world, Mitch and Dred try to prepare for a live concert in front of millions of viewers while half their band is missing. The record company is furious with them, and so are a certain violet-haired fairy and her banshee wolf friend, who finally catch up with them in Los Angeles.

In Faerie, Queen Mab and the leprechaun Aonghus Mac Lobhar enter into a secret agreement over a new kind of magic that will change fairyland forever...

A copy was provided by J.L. Bryan in exchange for an honest review.

This series never ceases to amaze me!  I have tried a few other fairy books since reading this J.L. Bryan series and have been so not interested every time. But, when I read these I am completely lost in the fairy lore and the wonderful writing.  Fairyland is an epic adventure in just that, a Fairyland.  In this one we get to go with Jason and Erin as they fight their way through marshmallow swamps and the Southward sea (which is full of sharks with attitude and mermaid pirates!)

All of my favourite characters were back in full force. Grizzlemore was as grumpy and sarcastic as ever and is still reigning as my favourite.  We get to watch Erin and Jason's relationship grow as they venture through fairyland which was exactly what I was looking for in this fourth installment.  Some of the mystery surrounding Erin is revealed but just a touch. J.L must be longing to drive me insane with anticipation as he is constantly giving tid bits of information but always just shy of enough to fulfill me. We are also treated to more of Aiode and Liadan's adventure to retrieve the stolen instruments. Aiode still had me laughing in this one as she figured out the inner workings of the man world and was exposed to rock n' roll.

For the fourth book in this series I will admit that I had worried about it being carried on and how it could be kept fresh and exciting.  J.L. accomplished that, I've mentioned how fascinated I am with this authors imagination before and this one just pushed it even farther, there are so many new creations in Faerie; Sourgum & Sweetgum trees that spit gum as far as the eye can see, giant pork loving bog frogs and vicious swamp cobras made everything feel brand new.  There is also a little twist in this one that, once it hit me like a slap in the face, I was kicking myself for not suspecting it because it makes so much sense.

I can't say enough about this series, you have to read them for yourself. They are fantastical, hilarious and written so well. This is a great addition to a series that I love and I can't wait for more!

The epic J.L. Bryan is upping his number on the awesomesauce scale by offering up a paperback copy of Fairy Metal Thunder (book #1 in the Songs of Magic series) for giveaway! This is open to US residents only.  Get your entries in people this is an AWESOME book!



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Fairystruck Review

TITLE Fairystruck (Songs of Magic #3)
AUTHOR J.L. Bryan
PAGES 204 (epub format)
PUBLISHED March 17th 2012 by www.jlbryanbooks.com
READ April  6 - 9, 2012
BUY THIS BOOK AT Amazon

With their first single shooting up the Billboard charts, the Zebras hit the road as the opening band for an epic stadium tour across America. The future looks bright for the band...if they can survive the rioting fans, Queen Mab of Faerie, the dullahan, and some evil teddy bears.

Aoide the Lutist and Liadan the banshee wolf cross into man-world on the trail of the stolen fairy instruments. Aoide is shocked at the strangeness of life among the humans, but she also learns about a thrilling new kind of music never heard in Faerie...rock and roll.

Fairystruck, the 3rd instalment in the Songs of Magic series by J.L. Bryan, is another book that I could not put down.  This series has me longing for more, as it makes me laugh and intrigues me like no other series I've ever read.  In this novel we get more of the amazing forays into Faerie and we get to go on tour with the now Rioting Zebras.  The glitz and glamour they have been treated to at the hands of Marlarkay Records is stripped away and it felt as if they were a real band trying to make it on the road.

My favourite part of Fairystruck is Aiode's innocent ignorance as she enters the man-world and learns about our "horseless man carriages" and barters her way around.  She had me laughing out loud at times and my kids looking at me as if mommy had lost her marbles.  The thing that has always stood out to me in this series is the vivid imagination of Mr. Bryan and the intricate attention to detail that brings it all together perfectly.  Let me say, this one does not let up in that department, I will never look at teddy bears the same way again. The human side of things is getting more and more intertwined with the Otherworld and the scenarios that occur are utterly entertaining.

The characters are strong as ever, I find myself attached to both Jason and Erin as they grow closer to each other.  Their relationship didn't make too much progress in this one, but I feel like Erin and Zach's relationship took a few steps back which is a good start.  I, once again, am left so curious about Erin and her link to the Faerie world.  Katie is also brought to the foreground, and seeing her interactions with the dullahan were unsettling but added some very welcome viewpoints in the dullahans private quarters.  Her home is an eerie place and a setting that I've craved more of since Fairy Metal Thunder.

The Songs of Magic series has found a perfect pace, as we switched through perspectives I found myself excited to see where we would go as I turned the pages.  This is a very well written indie series that will leave you pining for more.  I feel as though this one ended quite abruptly, and as we leave our characters in the thick of things, the wait for Fairyland (Summer 2012) will be painstakingly long.  I highly recommend picking up these books and giving them a go, you will not be disappointed in the slightest.

Fairy Blues Review

TITLE Fairy Blues (Songs of Magic #2)
AUTHOR J.L. Bryan
PAGES 209 (ePub edition)
PUBLISHED  January 20th 2012 by www.jlbryanbooks.com
READ April 5 - 6, 2012
BUY THIS BOOK AT Amazon

The sequel to Fairy Metal Thunder.

With their enchanted instruments charming the crowds, the Assorted Zebras attract interest from record producers, and soon they’re off to cut their first album and music video. Jason and his friends don’t know they’ve just become pawns in a sinister plot by a cabal of evil fairies...

Meanwhile, Aoide and her band pursue a new strategy for regaining their stolen instruments, one that will take them into the most haunted region in Faerie.

From The Depressed Cypresses to the hungry, giant jack-o-lanterns, Fairy Blues steps up the creativity and continues a great series.  The follow up to Fairy Metal Thunder gives us a more in depth look at the enchanting Faerie world and fleshes out the great characters that I have come to love. The imagination that went into writing these novels absolutely stuns me.  J.L. Bryan has created a world that isn't choppy or seems misplaced, it feels real and like I could go visit this enchanted land if I so wished (which I do!)

What I really enjoyed about Fairy Blues was seeing more about Erin and her home life and also being hinted at a bloodline that could prove pretty interesting.  We get to see how things are for her at home, and get to be in her head for a while.  Jason really stood out in this one, he has come from the perpetually nervous boy that we met in the first book to a stronger character who puts his neck out for Erin.  I'm left to wonder when Erin will open her eyes and see that Zach is an idiot and she needs to be with Jason, hopefully soon! I wasn't expecting the twist we receive at the end, and was so suprised, I can't wait to see how that plays out.

The best part of Fairy Blues was our forays into the Faerie world where we learned about the scenery and the characters more in depth. The Depressed Cypresses were awesome and the enchanted pumpkin patch, and oh, there is just so much to love about the Otherworld. It seems as though everything has a life inside of it and you never know what's coming.  We didn't get to learn too much about the Queen, which I had hoped for but we definitely got our fill of Mrs. Dullahan.  The troupe of fairy musicians heads into the hauntlands and we really get to know them.  My favorite is Skezg the not so tough ogre, he had me laughing out loud.

There is alot more to this story and I can't wait to find out what comes next.  This is of course one that I will be recommending to anyone looking for an Alluring Read.

Fairy Metal Thunder Review

TITLE Fairy Metal Thunder (Songs of Magic #1)
AUTHOR J.L. Bryan
PAGES 182 (ePub format)
PUBLISHED September 16th 2011 by CreateSpace
READ April 2 - 5, 2012
BUY THIS BOOK AT Amazon (For only $0.99!)

Jason plays guitar in a teenage garage band called the Assorted Zebras, but they have no fans and no gigs, and they're going nowhere. Even worse, Jason has a crush on the lead singer, but she already has a near-perfect boyfriend.

One night, Jason steals enchanted instruments from the fairy world. Suddenly (with a little help from YouTube) every kid in the Midwest is crazy about the Assorted Zebras.

The fairy instruments drive the crowds wild, but the new gear is brimming with dangerous and destructive magic. The band struggles to gain control of their instruments and avoid the supernatural bounty hunters sent by Queen Mab of Faerie to track them down, all while trying to finally land their first gig.

I won this book in a flash giveaway on Xpresso Reads and started it immediately.  I didn't read the synopsis, I did not pass go, I did not collect $200, and am I ever happy I jumped into it blind.  I admit, if I read the synopsis, I probably wouldn't have picked it up, thinking the fantastical aspect would be a bit too much for me but boy was I ever pleasantly surprised with Fairy Metal Thunder! This book reminded me so much of my favourite movie as a kid, Labyrinth, with it's well created Faerie world and the amazing creatures lurking the land.  I love the imagination that went into writing this novel, J.L. Bryan has constructed a tale that sucks you in and makes you long to uncover an Otherworld amongst the trees in your very own backyard.

The characters we meet in Fairy Metal Thunder are about as vast and varied as they come.  Jason was a believable teenage boy who was awkward and perpetually nervous.  One thing I really appreciated was our love interest being a green haired punk who stood out rather than the usual supermodel types, or the bland normal girls who have become the staple since Bella Swan.  Erin was unique, had her own style, and seemed as though she was a girl who knows what she wants.  My favourite characters were actually Jasons parents, their banter and old school way of thinking was all too real and had me laughing out loud as they argued with their son about the permanency of things on the internet.  The creatures of the Otherworld were spot on! Grizlemor was AWESOME, from his stinky feet to his strong taste for unappealing foods, he was the perfect goblin and there was no arguing with that.  I'm left so curious about so many parts of the Otherworld; I long for more about Queen Mab, more about this violent & dark side of the fairies that is hinted at so much, and dying to find out more about the magical instruments and how the land feeds off of energy. I also can't wait to learn more about the creepy guardian of the gate Mrs. Dullahan, I think her story is an interesting one!

This is a well crafted book that is just the start of a very promising series.  I can't wait to dig into book 2 and find out more about this unique story.  I will definitely be recommending Fairy Metal Thunder to anyone looking for an Alluring Read.