Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw by D. A. Mucci

 

It’s the first day of high school…Iggy is prepared for class, but was he prepared for fighting mythical creatures, dark magic wizards, or sword fights where people actually die.

By D.A. Mucci

…languages, witty retorts, and running from a fight.

Now he is faced with his first days in high school…

…Is there anything worse than high school?

When a clever, peace-making verbal volley failed, and the guy pulled a switch blade, Iggy took off. A locket he wore warmed up. Suddenly, he wasn’t in Susquehanna, PA anymore. Before he could gather his wits…

…someone had tackled him.

Pinned on the ground, his assailant bade him, be quiet. Something was going on just up ahead. A horrifying-looking knight in black armor, and a strange looking creature were locked in battle.

The knight won.

The large dog-bird beast, lay dying. Iggy sensed evil had won. When the man let him up, they eased forward to see if the dog-bird beast was dead.

No. And with its dying words…

…the warrior gave Iggy his swords.

And thus, Ignatius adventure began.

“A beautiful read.” — Robin Roberts, as seen on Good Morning America

★★★★★“D.A. Mucci does such a great job of creating a universe that is entirely fantastical yet believable and relatable. Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw has an almost Harry Potter-ness to it in that we are guided into this world through the eyes of a character who is learning of it the same as the reader and who is a character very similar to its target audience. But, it is also entirely different in a good way. I have honestly not taken to a fantasy novel as much as this one in quite a long time. The author is an excellent storyteller and writer.” — Kate Leboff

★★★★★ “Right from the start this story is breathtaking in how much detailed surrounding the kingdom of Skye… a once luscious and beautiful place that had been filled with animals and people. Now it’s a kingdom with no beating heart. In desperate for a hero, a teen named Iggy finds himself becoming the hero these people need. Mastering a set of growing magic skills in a challenge but its mastering the skills in handling the towering secrets that are claiming Skye is something else altogether. A wondrous journey in a finely painted world. Highly recommended.”—Lori Goodreads review

★★★★★“The author managed to create quite intriguing magical world full of fantastic beasts, some of which are not what you typically expect from beasts – they are mighty warriors, living in seclusion, whose abilities in battles are legendary. The world building is really nice and takes your imagination to amazing places. Combine this with an awkward, introvert and insecure boy who gets swallowed into the greatest adventure of his life, one which is too big for him to understand at a time, but he grows and shows his worth and true power. Definitely recommend this book.”—Lia Goodreads review

Book Information

Release Date: October 10, 2021

Publisher:  St. Barts Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1737277804; 294 pages; $9.99; E-Book, FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ooqGwz

The towering stone Castle Maol, the unrivaled seat of power in the Kingdom of Skye, sat inland almost bereft of life. 

Once known for its inspirational beauty, Skye’s forests and meadows were more barren than green now, enveloped by stillness instead of bustling wildlife. Lakes and waterways once teeming with marine life lay stagnant. Most of those who lived here survived under gray clouds of despair.

Several of the eldest knew of the prophecy that would return the land to its prior golden age and quietly hoped it was true.

Only a handful knew the secret that would allow the prophecy to come true. They refused to speak of it. 

Months of self-induced isolation to protect loved ones from exposure to Covid-19 led Emergency Medicine Physician David Mucci to create a fantasy world as an outlet to manage pandemic stress and support his own mental health.  The resulting novel, Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw (St. Bart’s Publishing, October 2021), tells the tale of an impossible mission led by an unlikely hero – a relatable feeling for many figuring out how to survive unprecedented circumstances in 2020.

Accustomed to acting quickly to save a life or manage an urgent health situation by applying the knowledge and experience gained over his nearly 40 years in emergency medicine, Dr. Mucci deeply felt the impact of the pandemic in the ER.

“Amongst widespread unknowns, without comparable experiences to help manage patient outcomes while trying to keep up on ever-changing medical news to treat suffering patients, the pandemic was a higher level of stress to endure.  Coupled with the deep fear of bringing a deadly virus into my home after ER shifts, I needed to dig deeper than TV binges or reading books to cope and to remember the potential each person has to be a hero in everyday life,” said Mucci.

The product of his creative outlet is the coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Ignatius, “Iggy”, who is thrown into a world of unknowns, transported to a medieval world filled with magic.  Based on research of myths and legends, Mucci created The Kingdom of Skye, the setting for Iggy to develop special powers and accomplish quests to fight evildoers and find his way home.

According to Mucci, Iggy must learn to trust a diverse set of characters but also learn to believe in himself and grow; much like as a medical provider, Mucci had to trust himself, trust his colleagues and learn how to adapt during the pandemic.

The first in a planned 5-part series, Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw is YA fantasy suitable for both teens and adults as it gently reminds readers that they are responsible for their own destiny, and that sometimes the most unexpected people can be the best teachers.

At 67 years old writing a YA Lit fantasy series, Mucci is also proving that there is no limit for being creative.  “The only limitation is the one that you place on yourself and on your imagination,” says Mucci.

Visit his website at https://damucci.com or connect with him on Facebook.

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My Take: this is the first book in a new series. I found it an engageing and entertaining book and it kept me turning the pages so I would say the author did a good job. I look forward to seeing where the dmain character Iggy goes from here and I have a feeling that the usthor will only get better with each new book. I received a reveiw copy from Pum Up Your Book tours and was not required to write a positive review.

Qerach by Randy C. Dockens

After arriving on another alien planet, a human astronaut, nicknamed Nuke, attempts to bring two alien cultures together but find they distrust each other even more than they distrust him. Nuke is now to unite the final two alien worlds, Qerach and Aphiah, of the Erabon system. With him are his humanoid friends from the other alien planets he visited and united. Arriving using the interstellar gates Nuke brought with him, he finds those on these two planets look more like him, yet he finds them unwilling to accept him or his mission, even though, supposedly, it is the will of Erabon, their deity, they do. Every step he takes leads to conflict and division. He finds he first must unite those living on each planet before he can unite them across the other worlds. Will he be able to help them come together and prepare for Erabon’s return? Or will all his efforts now be found futile and plunge them more towards their ultimate destruction than toward their ultimate salvation? Qerach is the third and final book of the unique Christian science fiction series entitled Erabon Prophecy Trilogy by futuristic fiction author Randy C Dockens. If you like the metaphorical imagery used by the great C.S. Lewis in several of his writings, then you will enjoy this series which also uses a similar technique. Also, the romantic interests between Nuke and the female Myeemian flourish further offering a romantic read amid the attempts to unite these alien cultures as Nuke realizes his return to his solar system through the interstellar gates is remote. Get your copy of Qerach and let your imagination soar in this exciting conclusion to this unique Christian science fiction series today! My Take: Nuke needs to unite the last two worlds in his quest to bring the whole universe together. This was a great ending to this unique series that brings Christianity to space. I highly recommend this series. I received a review copy of thei book from Pump up your Book tours and was not required to write a positive review.

Sharab by Randy C. Dockens

After arriving on an alien planet, a human astronaut, nicknamed Nuke, attempts to bring two alien cultures together but instead brings them to the brink of civil war and his own demise. Nuke furiously works with leaders on two alien planets, Sharab and Ramah, to unite their differences, but finds these alien cultures have become intertwined and codependent. Every step he takes seems to lead toward a schism rather than to a uniting of these two worlds. Will he be able to help them come together and prepare for Erabon’s return, their deity? Or will his actions lead them instead to the destruction and collapse of their two civilizations? Sharab is the second book of a unique Christian science fiction series entitled Erabon Prophecy Trilogy by futuristic fiction author Randy C Dockens. If you enjoy the metaphorical imagery technique used by the great C.S. Lewis in several of his writings, then you will enjoy this series as well. Also, the romantic interests between Nuke and the female Myeemian who he has met continues and offers a romantic read amid the attempts to unite these alien cultures as Nuke realizes his return to his own solar system through the interstellar gate is remote. Get your copy of Sharab and let your imagination soar in this exciting new twist to Christian science fiction today! My Take: This second book in the Erabon Triology picks up where the first book left off. Nuke has entered a new universe and these people think that he is there to unite all the planets together and that he is there god. He is just going along with everything to survive and is doing the best he can. There are chases by Animals that are huge as a baby. I received a review copy of this book from Pum Up Your Book tours and was not required to write a positive review.

Myeem by Randy C. Dockens

The first book of an exciting trilogy where an astronaut, nicknamed Nuke, working on an interstellar gate, is accidently thrown so deep into the universe that there is no way for him to get home. He does, however, find life on a nearby planet, one in which the citizens look very different from him. Although tense at first, he finds these aliens think he is the forerunner to the return of their deity and has been charged with reuniting the clans living on six different planets. What is stranger to him still is that while everything seems so foreign from anything he has ever experienced, there is an element that also feels extremely familiar. Will each alien culture fully accept him as he is also an alien to them? Will these clans accept him as the prophet to their deity, Erabon? Can he himself even believe it? My take: I have started to really like sci-fi books in the last few years. I am really glad I read this one along with the other two books in this trilogy. I found the story of Nuke being stranded very compelling and I felt his apprehension and I felt the story was told very well. I highly recommend this book and will be reviewing the other two books a little later so stay tuned. I recieved a review copy of this book from Pump Up Your Book Tours and was not required to write a positive review.

Erabon Prophecy Trilogy by Dr. Randy Dockens

Title: ERABON PROPHECY TRILOGY Author: Randy C. Dockens Publisher: Carpenter’s Son Publishing Genre: Christian Science Fiction Book Blurb: An exciting trilogy where an astronaut, nicknamed Nuke and working on an interstellar gate, is accidentally thrown so deep into the universe there is no way for him to get home. He does, however, find life on a nearby planet, one in which the citizens look very different from him. Although tense at first, he finds these aliens think he is the forerunner to the return of their deity and has been charged with reuniting the clans living on six different planets. What is stranger to him still is that while everything seems so foreign from anything he has ever experienced, there is an element that also feels extremely familiar. He has to gain the trust from each alien clan and demonstrate through various acts that he is the one they have been waiting for so each culture can fully accept him and follow him. But for the aliens to accept him as the prophet to their deity, Erabon, he has to first accept it and believe it himself. Book Information Release Dates: Book One: Myeem: 23-Dec-2020 Book Two: Sharab: 06-Apr-2021 Book Three: Qerach: 01-Oct-2021 Publisher: Carpenter’s Son Publishing Number of pages: Myeem/271; Sharab/249; Qerach/347 Link to books on Amazon: Book One: Myeem: Amazon.com: Myeem: Book One of the Erabon Prophecy Trilogy (Erabon Prophecy Trilogy, 1): 9781952025129: Randy C Dockens: Books Book Two: Sharab: Sharab: Book Two of the Erabon Prophecy Trilogy (Erabon Prophecy Trilogy, 2): Dockens, Randy C: 9781952025136: Amazon.com: Books Book Three: Qerach: Qerach: Book Three of the Erabon Prophecy Trilogy (Erabon Prophecy Trilogy, 3): Dockens, Randy C: 9781952025143: Amazon.com: Books Erabon Prophecy Trilogy 2 Meet The Author

Randy C. Dockens Dr. Randy C. Dockens has a fascination with science and with the Bible, holds Ph.D. degrees in both areas, and is a man not only of faith and science, but also of creativity. He believes that faith and science go hand in hand without being enemies of each other. After completing his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University he went on to graduate school at Auburn and completed his first doctorate degree in Pharmaceutics. He began his scientific career as a pharmacokinetic reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration and later joined a leading pharmaceutical company as a pharmacokineticist, which is a scientist who analyzes how the human body affects drugs after they have been administered (i.e, absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted). Through the years, he has worked on potential medicines within several disease areas, including cardiovascular, fibrosis, and immunoscience to seek and develop new and novel medicines in these therapy areas. He has also had his attention on the academic study of the Bible. He earned a second doctorate in Biblical Prophecy from Louisiana Baptist University after receiving a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from the Internet Bible Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Congdon. Randy has recently retired from his pharmaceutical career and is spending even more time on his writing efforts. He has written several books that span dystopian, end-time prophecy, science fiction, and uniquely told Bible stories. All of his books, while fun to read, are futuristic, filled with science to give them an authentic feel, have a science fiction feel to them, and allow one to learn some aspect of Biblical truth one may not have thought about before. This is all done in a fast-paced action format that is both entertaining and provides a fun read to his readers. Randy’s latest books are in the Christian science fiction series, ERABON PROPHECY TRILOGY. You can visit his website at www.RandyDockens.com or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller

Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway https://www.audrajennings.com/2022/05/win-copy-of-midnights-budding-morrow.html About the series: While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.” Midnight’s Budding Morrow is the second book in the Regency Wallflowers series. The first book in the series is Dusk’s Darkest Shores. About the book: Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue? Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother. When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love. Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed? When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope? Click here to read an excerpt. About the author: Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food. Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor). My Take: I apologize for the look of this post. For some reason I can't get the post to give the right spacing or post images. Anyway My take on the book, I like that this book is looking at the more common people during the Regency era. I think that this gives the whole book a more personal touch and connects with the reader on a more personal level. I liked that no matter what Sarah, the main character tries to give the others in the story some common human decentcy. Of course there are dother characters in the story that are trying to do all they can to make sure that doesn't happen. I received a review copy of this book from Read with Audra book tours and was not required to write a positive reveiw.

The Songs that Could Have Been by Amanda Wen

Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace. After a tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson's life is finally back on track. Her battle with bulimia is under control, her career is taking off, and she's surrounded by a loving family. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, leads to old feelings returning with new strength. And suddenly her well-balanced world is thrown off kilter. Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But the reasons they broke up aren't lost--and those old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. He isn't sure he's courageous enough to make a different choice this time around. When Lauren's elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before--a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie's past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives--and Rosie's--forever. Along the way they'll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption. The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen's first book in the series. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves. About the Author Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been. In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat. To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen). Copyright © 2022 Audra Jennings PR, All rights reserved. My Take:This book had two different time lines but hey meshed very well together. this is a second in a series but it can be read alone. This book is chocked full of amazing chacters and the love for God came through loud and clear and I enjoyed it from beginning till the end. I received a review copy from Audra Jennings Read With Audra tours and was not required to write a positive review. . Our mailing address is: Audra Jennings PR 2609 Sandy Lane Corsicana, Texas 75110 Add us to your address book

The Silver Sail by Bridgette Dutta Portman

The Silver Sail (The Coseema Saga #2) by Bridgette Dutta Portman (Goodreads Author) A looming supernova. A long-lost starship. A hero turned evil. Olive Joshi never meant to fall through a portal into her own abandoned novel, much less kill her protagonist and resurrect her as a villain. Now she’s on the run in a universe quickly spiraling out of her control. After narrowly escaping Coseema with her life, Olive and her friends head for a distant planet in search of the legendary starship the Wave-Rider, which may be the only hope for the doomed people of Lyria. But the voyage there is littered with obstacles—the tyrannical ruler of a dying colony, a mysterious spacefarer, the ever-present threat of Coseema, and Olive’s own obsessive fears. Back on Lyria, Olive’s allies face obstacles of their own as they vie with the cruel emperor Burnash, while Burnash himself chafes under Coseema’s control. Olive, armed with her omniscient journal, finds comfort in reading along with her friends’ adventures. But when time runs out, she must embark on a risky collision course with her former heroine, one that may force her to give up what she treasures most. The Silver Sail, Book Two of the Coseema Saga, is a must-read for fans of portal fantasy, space opera, coming-of-age adventures, and novels about mental health, self-esteem, friendship, and courage in the face of uncertainty. My Take: This book takes off where the first one left off and you will want dive right in because you want to find out is the evil Coseema gets to Olive or if Olive gets away. There is so much more adventure in this book that you will be sucked into the story and won't want to come up for air until you have read the last page. Great second book in the series. Not disappointed. I recieved a review copy of this book from Lola Book Tours and was no required to write a positive review.

The Twin Stars by Bridgette Dutta Portman

The Twin Stars (The Coseema Saga #1) by Bridgette Dutta Portman (Goodreads Author) A magical journal. A world savaged by its own suns. An evil prince. A princess in hiding. And a teenage girl who learns to be the hero of her own story. Sixteen-year-old Olive Joshi has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and can't stop worrying about hurting the people she loves. She finds refuge in writing about Coseema, a magical princess on a distant planet. Coseema is fearless, confident, and perfect - everything Olive thinks she’ll never be. When she falls through a portal into her own unfinished story, Olive finds herself in a world in peril: double suns scorch the land, the brutal Prince Burnash seeks supreme power, and Coseema is nowhere to be found. Together with her friends - a bold poet, a cursed musician, a renegade soldier, and an adventurous girl from the desert - Olive will have to face her deepest fears to find the hero in herself. An engrossing new portal fantasy in the spirit of the Wizard of Oz, the Neverending Story, and the Chronicles of Narnia. My Take: This book"s main charcter has ocd and it just goed to show that you can do anything you set your mind to if you want something bad enough. This is the debut novel of Bridgette Dutta Portman and I think she did a very good job of representing something that is so comonn in today's society but so mis understood. Olive writes about Coseema who is a Princess that is everything that Olive thinks she is not. Olive falls through a magical portal and must fix things with her friends. I received a review copy of this book from Lola Book Tours and was not required to write a positive review.