Tag: BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Tour Page 2 of 3

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Donna Morgan’s Ember and Stee! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Ember and Steel by Donna Morgan
Series: Breitho Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 425 pg.
Publication Date: March 9, 2026

About the Book:

The gods are gone. Magic is lost. Vengeance is nigh.

There is death in the north; entire settlements slaughtered in the night by unknown hands. But dead things do not rest. Mages and scholars from across Breitho search for answers, to no avail.

The church clings to a whispered prophecy to bring back the gods and end the horrors in the dark.

But none of them understands what is truly at stake.

In her tiny village, Sarah Brandt has her own problems. She has witnessed her friend’s murder and is now running for her life.

Her frantic escape takes her to a circle of Druid stones, where something ancient and powerful is waiting in the darkness. When she encounters the burning presence within the stones, Sarah’s world changes forever.

Now it isn’t just justice she seeks, but salvation.

Not for herself, but for all humankind.

What is the opening line? Branches whipped my face as I ran, scoring fresh lines of pain across my skin.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I have immortalised my late mother-in-law as one of the characters in the story
What food or drink pairs best with the book? A glass of spiced mead
What music pairs best with the book? There is an official playlist, but Wardruna works fine

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Donna lives in Somerset, England and has a passion for dark fantasy epics and horror. She lives with her husband, son and two incredibly stupid cats. Diagnosed in her forties with Autism Spectrum Disorder, her debut novel aims to bring a realistic representation of autism into a fantasy world. She is also trained to swing a longsword.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Echoes of the EtherStone by Lucy A. McLaren

By HCNewton

On October 29, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Lucy A. McLaren’s Echoes of the EtherStone! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Echoes of the EtherStone by Lucy A. McLaren
Genre: Fantasy, Gothic Horror
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 402 pg.
Publication Date: October 7, 2025

About the Book:

Beth lives a seemingly perfect life of luxury in the city of Alpinside. Her upcoming betrothal to the eligible Lord Ashford is all she can focus on… until she meets El, a young woman from the slums whose father was a victim of the Scrubbers’ Stalker, the ruthless killer haunting the city.

Thrown together by the dreadful murders, the two decide to investigate. The catch? The evidence points towards Beth’s own brother as the Stalker. Their new-found friendship is tested as their investigation begins to reveal far deeper secrets than either of them were prepared for, uncovering a truth which rots the very core of Alpinside.

What is the opening line? I had been watching her for a while before I approached her.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The story is inspired by the Jack the Ripper murders.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? A cup of tea! It’s set in a city inspired by Victorian London, so that feels fitting.
What music pairs best with the book? Lady Gaga’s Mayhem album – especially the songs Disease and Abracadabra.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Lucy A. McLaren is a dark and gothic fantasy author and professional counsellor, passionate about writing stories that include a realistic representation and exploration of mental health and contemporary societal issues. She is a lifelong fan of the fantasy genre, and enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing (okay, cheesing her way through) them. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her husband and (generally unsuccessfully) attempting to wrangle her son.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Dogged by Michael R. Fletcher

By HCNewton

On October 28, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Michael R. Fletcher’s Dogged (one of my favorite books of 2025)! I’ll be reposting my rave about it later this morning, but don’t take my word for it, Dogged made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Dogged by Michael R. Fletcher
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 295 pg.
Publication Date: December 15, 2025

About the Book:

WARDOGS ARE BORN TO DIE.

In the final days of the Demon Empire a lone wardog goes in search of the answer to the only question she cares about: Who murdered her mate?

Utterly unqualified to solve a mystery, Dogged Determination has but one advantage: She never, ever gives up.

From the heart of a massive empire to the deepest foreboding jungles, Dogged is an unstoppable force of will.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Michael R. Fletcher is a science fiction and fantasy author, a grilled cheese aficionado, and a whiskey-swilling reprobate. He spends his days choreographing his forklift musical (titled “Get Forked”), and using caffeine as a substitute for sanity. Any suggestions that he is actually Dyrk Ashton in disguise are all lies.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Devil Inside by Tom Lloyd

By HCNewton

On October 27, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Tom Lloyd’s Devil Inside! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Devil Inside by Tom Lloyd
Series: The Devil Diaries
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Length: 401 pg.
Publication Date: May 15, 2025

About the Book:

My name is Eve Carnell. I’m 29 years old, single and have a devil in me. It’s not as cool as you might think.

My entire world fell apart when I was sixteen. Now all I want is a normal life, but that’s not easy when you’re on every “usual suspects” list going. And normal goes out the window the day MI5 come to ask me about my dead grandfather. They’re hunting a spy and while I may be the absolute worst choice for the job, apparently I have a very particular set of skills. Who knew, right?

What is the opening line? I’ve been almost normal now for three years and three months.
What’s a fun fact about the book? some of it is based on actual events (just not the magic bits)
What food or drink pairs best with the book? a quality curry and a bottle of red wine
What music pairs best with the book? Wardruna

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Tom Lloyd was born in 1979 in Berkshire. After a degree in International Relations he went straight into publishing where he still works. He never received the memo about suitable jobs for writers and consequently has never been a kitchen-hand, hospital porter, pigeon hunter, or secret agent. He lives in Oxford, isn’t one of those authors who gives a damn about the history of the font used in his books and only believes in forms of exercise that allow him to hit something.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Corruption by Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren’s Corruption! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Corruption by Alexander by Verbeek-van den Toren
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 203 pg.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026

About the Book:

When their ability to connect to the magical Flow disappears, Revan and the other students at his college’s island are stranded, surrounded by fiery seas separating habitable regions. Revan can’t retreat to his home island, only in contact with people who don’t know his true identity.

While most people only have one of the five crystals in their torso lit up, determining their role in society, Revan is among the few with more than one lit-up crystal. If anyone find out, he’ll be considered Othercrystalled, and cast from society.

Torn between his feelings for his male best friend and a female classmate, with his secret close to being revealed, Revan discovers evidence the magic might not have been cut off naturally. Someone might be using the chaos to hunt Othercrystalled. Someone full of Corruption.

What is the opening line? Revan could no longer form a gate with his magic.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I wrote this book after writing a fantasy novel where the worldbuilding felt too earthly. So in this I was like, let’s throw in ALLLLL the weirdness I can imagine.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? I think a soda would be nice! And some pizza, perhaps. Pretzels could also work well.
What music pairs best with the book? Queer songs would probably do well. Think It’s A Sin, or Smalltown Boy.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Alexander Verbeek-van den Toren is a Dutch writer who enjoys queer books and strange cultures, preferably even together, and loves both writing and reading about them. Alexander writes both in Dutch and in English; in English his debut novel ‘Corruption’ came out this year, in Dutch he regularly appears in collections and magazines with his short stories. Apart from writing Alexander is a child psychologist. He lives in Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam, together with his husband and their dog.

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My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Clipped by KQ Watson

By HCNewton

On October 26, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction, Science Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Clipped by KQ Watson’s Clipped! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Clipped by KQ Watson
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 352 pg.
Publication Date: May 31, 2025

About the Book:

Heaven was perfect, until they came for his son.

When angel engineer Zak’s infant son is cast down for being born without wings, he faces Heaven’s cruel mandate: forget, or fall. Clipped, Zak plummets to a broken Earth, where false prophets exploit the faithful, drug lords rule dead cities, and every truth comes with a price.

Pursued by ruthless angel hunters through decaying urban wastelands and corrupted mega-churches, Zak uncovers a conspiracy that reaches from Earth’s grimmest gutters to Heaven’s highest chambers. What begins as a father’s desperate search becomes a brutal quest for vengeance that will expose Heaven’s most devastating lies… and make them remember his son’s name.

What is the opening line? It’s not too late to repent. You know that, don’t you?
What’s a fun fact about the book? I am an amputee, several characters in my book are also amputees. For all intents and purposes, I consider the protagonist an amputee since his wings were cut from his back.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Food and drink is actually very important in the novel. There are so many possible answers to this question. I think I’m going to say a nice steak, chocolate mousse for dessert and a cheap rum and coke.
What music pairs best with the book? There is a playlist at the front of the book. My unofficial theme songs in my mind are Supertramp – Logical Song, XTC – Dear God, and A Perfect Circle – Talktalk

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

KQ Watson is the cyborg that you don’t take home to meet your parents. She looks innocuous and gentle, but there are oodles of satanic death metal songs continually playing in her head. Sometimes, when she’s all alone, she thinks back to some of her favourite episodes of Intervention and the best scenes from The People Under the Stairs.

She writes because what else is she going to do, let’s be real here.

One legged Canadian who likes The Dark Crystal more than she will ever like you.

The characters in her head keep her sane.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Child of the Dragon by Ashley N.Y. Sheesley

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Ashley N.Y. Sheesley’s Child of the Dragon! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Child of the Dragon by Ashley N.Y. Sheesley
Series: Pact of the Ancients
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 435 pg.
Publication Date: March 10, 2026

About the Book:

Our only hope is the hope we forge ourselves.

Kat always thought her grandma’s stories of Rhaegynne—shapeshifting dragons—were just fairytales. But that all changes when her grandma is killed, and she learns that not only are they real, but she is one.

A prophecy and a curse set in motion ages ago, have now turned Kat’s quiet senior year into chaos. What was supposed to be a gift becomes a tool for breaking a curse that forces others to serve tyrannical kings who will use them to wage war and destruction across Earth.

But hope . . . is more stubborn than a curse.

Fighting alongside friends new and old, Kat must learn to harness the heart of the dragon in order to break the curse, destroy the kings, and save the dragons. All before succumbing to the curse herself.

Honestly? It’ll be a breeze compared to calculus.

What is the opening line? Nowhere in my plans for Friday night did I anticipate hiding behind a steel crate in a shipping yard with a dead body at my feet.
What’s a fun fact about the book? I initially started this book when I was in high school 15 years ago. At the time I was experiencing chased-by-dragons levels of stress, and wanted an escape, so I wrote about a girl in high school who could actually fight real dragons (and turn into a dragon because that was dope). That book has evolved so far over the years, but the initial idea came because, given the choice between dragons and high school drama…well…I think we’d all choose the dragons.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Dr. Pepper

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Ashley N.Y. Sheesley is an aroace and disabled author, scientist, animal lover, and a big fan of all things fantasy. In fact, she is only a scientist because she can’t figure out how to be a wizard in real life. She lives with her husband and her small army of animals—a bearded dragon, a bunny, and three cats. Her writing can be found in Artifice & Access: A Disability in Fantasy Anthology, Why Aren’t You Dead Yet?: A Disability in Dystopia Anthology, and with her award-winning debut YA contemporary fantasy, Child of the Dragon from Inked in Gray Press, the first book in the Pact of the Ancients series.

She is represented by Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Threads

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Awakening by KP Roberson

By HCNewton

On October 23, 2026

In Book Tour, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for KP Roberson’s Awakening! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: Awakening by KP Roberson
Series: Between the Birches
Genre: Horror, Contemporary Fiction, Supernatural Occult
Age Category: New Adult
Format: Hardcover, Paperback
Length: 286 pg.
Publication Date: July 11, 2025

About the Book:

STAY ON THE PATH, TRUST NO ONE BUT YOURSELF, AND BEWARE OF NIGHTMARES LURKING IN THE SHADOWS

Beneath the rolling hills of North Carolina lies an ancient evil, shackled for a millennium, and growing impatient for freedom. People have long forgotten the rule of magic and the guardians who contained his destruction, but the nightmares from their dreams hide in dark corners, very real and very much willing to do their master’s dark bidding.

For Beth’s 25th birthday, her husband and their best friend promised her a relaxing hike at their favorite spot on the Appalachian Trail. After the sun sets, the woods where Beth hoped to find peace turn sinister with talks of death cultists, witches, and interdimensional beings not native to this planet. If this wasn’t enough to shatter her trust foundations, Beth learns her role in this messed up weekend. She must find the courage to let go of her attachments and escape before the forest keeps her for good.

What is the opening line? She’d been running for ages.
What’s a fun fact about the book? The three MCs represent part of my journey from Christianity to Paganism.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Coffee and kettle-cooked chips; pizza, wings, and beer; or trail mix and bottled water.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

K. P. Roberson is a Georgia native living in the southern Appalachian Mountains. She lives with her very handsome and nerdy spouse, their two teenage spawn, and a very rotund cat who answers to ‘Kitty.’

She loves science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, and horror stories, especially if they are character driven. Her writings align with her tastes. She has also composed Stardew Valley fanfiction on Archive of Our Own. When not pounding away at her keyboard with a string of illicit words, she enjoys movies, music, reading, gardening, and crocheting…which explains her love of weaving a good tale. She is currently working on the finale of her Between the Birches trilogy, Zenith.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley

By HCNewton

On October 22, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Emma Bradley’s An Absence of Artificers! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: An Absence of Artificers by Emma Bradley
Series: The Citadel Of Souls
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 310 pg.
Publication Date: December 6, 2024

About the Book:

Workshop owner by day and spy for the Menagerie by night, Molly dreams of swapping the Faerie citadel for the wider realms of Faerie.

The citadel isn’t safe and escaping it is rare, so when one of the recently missing Fae from the Artificers’ Guild turns up dead, Molly is determined to dig right to the core of the rot infesting her home.

But in a self-contained city where the enemy knows all the same routes she does, it won’t be long before they’re hunting her in return.

What is the opening line? The middle-aged woman slumped crying over her desk definitely didn’t abduct her husband.
What’s a fun fact about the book? Talie was originally meant to be an outright villain but she grew on me so much throughout edits that I had to change the arc to keep her.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? The closest thing to a meat pocket (nicer than it sounds I promise) is probably a Cornish pasty, so one of those with some berry juice
What music pairs best with the book? I was going through an Einaudi phase while writing it so I always associate his music with certain scenes. That or Linkin Park.

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Emma lives on the UK south coast with her plant collection and a very lazy black Labrador who occasionally condescends to take her out for a walk. Aside from creative writing studies, an addiction to cereal and spending far too much time procrastinating on social media, Emma is still waiting for the arrival of her unicorn. Or a tank, she’s not fussy.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ Twitter

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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BBNYA 2026 SEMI-FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: A Second Life Worth Living by Karen Lucia

By HCNewton

On October 21, 2026

In Book Tour, Fantasy, Fiction

I’m very pleased today to welcome The BBNYA 2026 Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour for Karen Lucia’s A Second Life Worth Living! This book made it to the semi-finals, so you know there’s something good going on–but before getting to this Spotlight, let’s start with a word about BBNYA.

BBNYA:

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (18 in 2026) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official.
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Book Details:

Title: A Second Life Worth Living by Karen Lucia
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Dystopian
Age Category: Adult
Format: Paperback, eBook
Length: 186 pg.
Publication Date: June 12, 2025

About the Book:

Bennet Smith has already died once. He has no interest in a repeat act.

Caught in the crossfire of an increasingly violent revolution, Ben’s first death doesn’t stick. His bones ache. His body still feels phantom pains. Wrongfully killed, he should return ready to fight alongside the revolutionaries striving for change. Instead, he wants no part of it.

Bennet Smith is no hero. He has never been a hero. He has never wanted to be a hero. All Ben has ever wanted is to keep his head down, fly under the radar, and pass completely unnoticed. Death didn’t change that.

What is the opening line? My body ached. Every inch. Every fiber. Every bone.
What food or drink pairs best with the book? Red wine and scrambled eggs
What music pairs best with the book? Radiohead

Book Links:

Amazon Canada ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookshop.org ~ Goodreads ~ The Story Graph

About the Author:

Karen is a science fiction and fantasy author from Minneapolis, Minnesota. A lifelong writer, reader, gamer, and all-around nerd-core enthusiast, she has published four full-length novels and four novellas, with more stories always on the way. Her reading tastes span genres, though indie science fiction and fantasy hold a special place in her heart. Her stories draw on a life of wide-ranging adventures, including time abroad, motherhood, service as an Army officer on a mass casualty response force, and work in cybersecurity. When she is not creating worlds or reading, she can usually be found chasing her children around the zoo, the playground, or a state park (and probably taking pictures of every mushroom they find).

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Instagram ~ TikTok

My thanks to The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

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