#tara grayce

[kanerallels]

If I had a nickel for every fantasy story where elves and humans lived in neighboring kingdoms, and were at war for the longest time and one of the main things that brought them together was a human-elf couple (the elf has silvery hair, dual swords, assassin training, parent issues, and is kinda cranky. The human is royal, has sibling(s) they would die for, and is an adorable little dork who will ramble nervously and the elf loves it. They're also secretly awesome), I'd have two nickels. But it's weird that it happened twice

[bookwormbeat]

Honor without compassion was meaningless. Duty without love was nothing. War without the purpose of peace was just empty bloodshed.

Troll Queen (Elven Alliance, book 4), Tara Grayce

[sarcasmiclife]

Essie is such a Barbie and Farrendel is such a just Ken fr

[sukiliske]

New Covers for book series!

Heyo! Haven't really posted much here, but I just wanted to share a cool update from an author, Tara Grayce. She is the author of the Elven Alliance series and has just updated her books with some new, super fancy and pretty covers! The new covers convey with a little more feeling the kind of books these are, with some seriously gorgeous artwork. Having just finished the series, it is pretty fun to fangirl over them, lol.

The illustrator for the new artwork is Sara Morello. Her Instagram is @saramorelloart.

The new typography was done by Deranged Doctor Designs. Their Instagram is @derangeddoctordesign.

Tara Grayce also going to be running a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the new covers. The Kickstarter will be launching next week, but the page is already available so you can click the “notify me on launch” button to follow the campaign. You don’t have to donate to the Kickstarter if you don’t want to. But if you do, here is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/taragrayce/new-covers-for-the-elven-alliance-series  She will also be adding this link to her Linktree on Instagram if you want head over there.

The Kickstarter rewards will feature signed copies of the Elven Alliance series in the new covers, signed copies of the old covers (both paperbacks and hardcovers), LOTS of fun swag, and exclusive hardcovers which will not be for sale on Amazon! And for the first 4 days of the Kickstarter, all of the swag pack add ons will be on an Early Bird special!

"What kind of books do these new, beautiful covers hold?" You may ask..

Well, the books themselves were lots of fun to read. Clean and super fluffy soft, the Elven Alliance follows Essie's marriage alliance to Farrendel to preserve a very tenuous peace between the elves and humans, while war threatens to break out again between elves and trolls on the elves opposite border. In a sense, the first book especially, it's bit like a guilty pleasure. There are 7 books in total (plus two collections of short stories/novellas) and they're fun and easy reads. If you're in the mood for something sweet and sugary, but still containing a fair amount of depth, I'd really recommend the series. There's family drama, grumpy elves (secretly cinnamon rolls), a very cheerful princess married to a living deadly weapon with maybe just few issues, magic, war, political troubles, assassination plots- all kinds of good fun. Thanks for dropping by, and let me know what you think of these new covers in the comments! Do you have any personal favorites here?? (Mine is a tie between War Bound and Elf Prince) Even if you've never heard of the series, I'd love to know your thoughts!

[deborahocarroll]

My Top 20 Favorite 2022 Reads

Today I’m excited to (finally) get around to sharing my top favorite books I read in 2022! Top 5: Best of the Best Dana Illwind and War’s Shadow (by Arthur Daigle) — Dana Illwind, #2 (Read my full review.) My top-favorite read of last year! This series makes it onto a very select list of my top-favorite books of all time, and I enjoyed this one just as much as book one–maybe even more. More…

[lainalit]

I know many find this line from rhysand to feyre very romantic:

but for me It isn't that romantic when this line from an elf prince to his human wife exists:

[sukiliske]

Some more great books are

The Miraveld Chronicles by Selina Gozalez are really good. They're fairytale retellings with some great twists. Truthfully, I've only read the first book so far, but I loved it enough to buy it in paperback.

The Constantine Capers by Natalie Brianne is an ongoing mystery series, and the main detective has a surprising problem he has to work around. Very fun and well written.

The Kasmian Chronicles by Contance Lopez is also an ongoing series. The fantasy world is original and the magic system is one of the most unique and interesting I've read. Plus the storytelling is just beautiful- the author is a Christian and weaves some very Biblical themes in her stories so artfully. The first is also one I had to buy in paperback.

The Balance series buy Inghild Økland are really good too. Set in a fantasy world based on the Nordic land and middle eastern deserts, the books go back and forth between PoV of two sisters. The first book is Balance, and the second is Madalyn, but you can read either one of those first.

Illuminare by Bryn Shutt is a good book, and I think is the start of a series. It is a tad slow, in my opinion, but still a very well-written story. The author is a Christian, and makes the symbolism in her book very evident without becoming preachy.

The Scepter and Crown series by C.F.E. Black is another fantasy world, based on what seems to be Victorian Era London. There is romance in this book, but it is very slow-burn and not the main focus. (The author, in her words, write books you could read with your mom and not get embarrassed.)

Lastly is The Zheninghai Chronicles Anastasis Blythe. The 5th book is my favorite so far, but they're all good! She also just published The Assassin Bride as a beginning as a new series.

The are so many more, but this post is probably long enough already, lol.

Any of you have recommendations for fantasy or sci-fi without much sexual content?

Self-published or Christian works welcome but only if they're high quality (i.e. not worse than general market fiction).

And, of course, I have to add I've read everything by Tolkien and Lewis.

[taleweaver-ramblings]

Just a heads up — if you're looking for clean or Christian indie fiction, this sale runs today through Monday and features literally hundreds of free or $0.99 ebooks. Featured authors include Kendra E. Ardnek, Tara Grayce, Sarah Beran, H.S.J. Williams, H.L. Burke, Sarah Pennington, and others. I always find lots of good books here, so I definitely recommend checking it out!

(Oh, and it's not in the sale, but H.L. Burke's A Superhero for Christmas appears to be available for free today! If you've ever wanted to see what happens when you stick superheroes in a Hallmark Christmas movie, this is for you. It's actually delightful, and I don't even like Hallmark movies. XD)

[emlinden]

War Bound by Tara Grayce.

It’s been a while since I last read a romance, but I recently remembered that I read and liked the first book of the Elven Alliance series, so I decided to check out the next one. And I can happily say that it did not disappoint! Essie and Farrendel are always a joy to read.

[roxwritings]

-Original Characters-

These characters are my own making, but are placed in several universes (most are static to those worlds, some are flex however.) These are not in alphabetical order. But organized by universe they are in.

-RWBY: Noelle Bryant, Alanna Bryant, Fiye Faune, Wisteria Greene, Aeroa Mai, Peyton Kennedy, Kyerian Marie, Vienna Reese, Xavier Bryant, Berlin "Bishop" Kortez, Lacey Aramantha, Maryis Blacksteel, Joseph "Puck" Miller, Naya Kidman, Tina Madsen, Boe Kujo, Delilah Fernrow, Grayce Carlile, Wilson Addleberry, Denella Flamewright, Mika Honeydew, Dazz Sno, Navara Jae, Tara Dodger, Tyra Carmon, Isabella Honeydew, Pearl Mauve

-STALKER: Petyr Anderiesky, Orion Marikhet, Arianna Makarov, Piper Eda

-Marvel: Harper Burke, Alex Martin

-Sword Art Online: Yashima Sakurako

-Fantasy (DND Style Stuff): Aria Aehren, Raye Vellard, Etsui Hitsu, Hunrea, Axin Faedrith, Haren Ardin, Amri Hescalt/Ardin, Vanna Phoebe Ardin, Keti Ardin, Selya Ardin, Allison Pendra, Eliza Hawthorne Harkwillow, Cellina, Rose Yeri, Eryn Vildre

-Mechs: Korean Thers, Layne Holland

-Modern: Bonnie Scaram, Orion Shirakawa, Sasori Kura, Isena Hope

[friend-of-the-elves]

Looking back on the art I made these past months, I feel like I'm forcing myself to draw fanart for SJM series I no longer care about.

More importantly than the fact that she ruined characters I loved (Nesta, Manon and Tamlin) in various ways, I think she is spreading truly harmful ideas of white feminism, pro-life ideas, heteronormativity, transphobia, imperialism, classism and her general love for maintaining the status quo. That's only a sample of all the issues in her works. The only thing I feel now is regret towards what could have been great books, so I think I'm going to move on and not give her any further publicity, even if it's for characters I enjoy— or used to. Maybe the occasional doodle will pop up (esp queer ships like Chaorian or Malide), but I want to focus now on books that I love, such as Tolkien's works, Tara Grayce's Elven Alliance series, or my favourite game The House in Fata Morgana :)

[msbarrows]

Reading Recap 2023

Did one of these last year for 2022 and decided to do one again this year for 2023.

These are the published (including self-published) books that 1) I added to my library within the last year, that 2) were new to me, and 3) actually got read cover to cover at some point in 2023. It works out to 60 books, three times as many books as last year (granted some of these are short stories, not even novellas or novels - but then a few are anthologies so it sort of balances out).

(Yes, I do read a ridiculous amount, considering this is only the tip of the iceberg of what I've actually read over the last year.)

Ended up finding a lot of older stuff on good sales, and also fell into reading some fantasy romances and a few YA things as well. Sadly there are some reputedly quite excellent books that I bought this year that I either never got around to reading, or started in on and then got distracted by something I wanted to read more, and never got back around to, so there's a pile of stuff that'll never manage to show up on one of these posts.

Books and/or series I particularly enjoyed, in no particular order:

Bookshops & Bonedust, Travis Baldree - great to have a prequel for Legends & Lattes, really good story.

A Charm of Magpies series of series, K.J. Charles - interesting historical queer magic-as-technology romances.

Defiance, the start of the latest (and probably last) trilogy in the Foreigner series of series by C.J. Cherryh (Book #22!!! And yes I re-read the other 21 before diving into this latest addition). So glad she kicked cancer's ass and is still writing; I am on tenterhooks for the next two books, waiting to see if my main guess about what this last story arc will focus around will be right.

Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman - how have I gone this many years without actually reading this one!? Awesome idea, told with his usual (very high) skill.

Elven Alliance series, Tara Grayce, saw it mentioned here on Tumblr on a post wishing for stories where the Princess leans into the arranged marriage rather than revolting against it. Got curious, bought the first book and then just kept buying until I ran out of books.

Princess Floralinda and the Forty Flight Tower, Tamsyn Muir - think this was another one that was mentioned in the notes on the same thread as previous, or possibly in a similar one about female characters who win through traditional female skills rather than by being badasses who insisted on learning male ones. It's mostly a self-rescuing Princess trope in this one.

Thornhedge and A Paladin's Faith, T. Kingfisher. Of course I love both of them. I hope she also kick's cancer's ass and continues writing for some time to come.

The Master of Samar, Melissa Scott - have loved her books for decades, but there's a big gap in my collection from the years when I could only rarely afford new books. This is one of the books I missed reading, and one of her very rare forays into fantasy rather than science fiction (and it's an entertaining read).

The Sea King trilogy, Nancy Springer - another old favourite with books I missed getting when they were new. Interesting story. Made me think a little of the Epic of Gilgamesh, at least in terms of having a king and someone seen as more barbarous in nature as his best friend.

Warhorse and The Dragonback series, Timothy Zahn - author I never got around to trying back in the day, noticed a bunch of his stuff on sale, bought one to try, liked it, have bought more.

The King's Eight, Argon Masters - one of a number of books I read this year that is a published work by a fanfiction author whose works I enjoy. Was reading some of their not-my-fandom works (which yes I sometimes do when I enjoy an author enough - see also "how to trip and fall into new fandoms you have zero knowledge of"). Saw a casual mention of the book in an author's note, wandered off to grab and read it. Have already read it twice, it's excellent. Hope they publish more.

Also oh DAMN I just realized I didn't include the covers for Katherine Addision's Doctrine of Labyrinths series in the image above, I read and enjoyed those as well. Make that 64 books that met my criteria.

Edited to add: And doh, one of the covers for the Desert World trilogy by Lyn Gala has also gone missing. Make that 65 books.

[theriu]

Thanks for recommending fierce heart recently, I just finished it and it made me so happy 😊

Yay! Im so glad you enjoyed it! ^^ Tara Grayce has like six books in the Elven Alliance series, and I think her final one is going to be some short stories set in the world.

[dashreads]

2023 Reading List

January:

What Lies Beyond the Veil- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest **

What Hunts inside the Shadows- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest **

Rhuger's Pearl- Carlotta Hughes ****

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February: X

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March:

4. Silent Lucidity- Tiffany Roberts **

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April:

5. Yearning for Her- Tiffany Roberts ****

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May: X

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June:

6. That Time I got Drunk and Saved a Human- Kimberly Lemming ***

7. How To Marry A Marble Marquis- C.M. Nascosta ****

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July:

8. To Tame a Dragon- Tiffany Roberts *

9. To Love a Dragon- Tiffany Roberts *

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August:

10. Taken by the Aline Next Door- Tiffany Roberts ***

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September:

11. Blood Moon- Jillian Graves **

12. The Sea Witch- Rebecca F. Kenney ****

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October:

13. Rhuger's Cridhe- Carlotta Hughes ****

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November:

14. A Duel with the Vampire Lord- Elise Kova ****

15. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic- J. Penner ****

16. His Darkest Desire- Tiffany Roberts ****

17. Scream for Us- Molly Doyle **

18. Bloodshed- Molly Doyle ***

19. Melt for Us- Molly Doyle **

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December:

20. All I wanted was sushi but I got abducted by aliens instead- Petra Palerno ***

21. All I wanted was to become a Scientist but now I've got an Alien Boyfriend- Petra Palerno ***

22. All I wanted was a glass of Vine but an Alien Duke kidnapped me instead- Petra Palerno ***

23. A Court of Sugar & Spice- Rebecca F. Kenney ****

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Reading Goals:

Read 45 books (I'm ok if I read at least 20 due to life changes)

Read 10 comics/webcomics/manga

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Rook- Jillian Graves (Delayed)

Welcome to Azathé- CM Nascosta (Delayed)

Welcome to Fae Café- Jennifer Kropf

Enchantment- Orson Scott Card *2

My Side of the Mountain- Jean Craighead George *2

The Goddess of Yesterday- Caroline B. Cooney *2

A Little Princess- Frances Hodgson Burnett *3

Journey to the Center of the Earth- Jules Verne *3

Ascendant- Michael R Miller *1

Throne of Glass- Sarah J Maas

Crown of Midnight- Sarah J Maas

Heir of Fire- Sarah J Maas

Queen of Shadows- Sarah J Maas

Empire of Storms- Sarah J Maas

Tower of Dawn- Sarah J Maas

Kingdom of Ash- Sarah J Maas

Dragon Keeper- Carole Wilkinson *1

A Natural History of Dragons- Marie Brennan *1

Dragon's Flight- Anne McCaffery *1

Dragon Keeper- Robin Hobb *1

Phoenix Unbound- Grace Draven

Dragon Unleashed- Grace Draven

Raven Unveiled- Grace Draven

Undying King- Grace Draven

Entreat Me- Grace Draven

House of Earth & Blood- Sarah J Maas

House of Sky & Breath- Sarah J Maas

Jurassic Park- Michael Crichton

A Rake of His Own- AJ Lancaster (Reading)

Parties- C.M. Nascosta

Contact- Carl Sagan

Spinning Silver- Naomi Novik

Iron Widow- Xiran Jay Zhao

Uprooted- Naomi Novik

The Name of the Wind- Patrick Rothfuss

What Sleeps Within the Cove- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest (10/17/2023)

Get off the Unicorn- Anne McCaffrey

Cursed Cocktails: A Cozy Fantasy- S.L. Rowland

Run, Run Rabbit- CM Nascosta

Stolen Midsummer Bride- Tara Grayce

Uncommon Verdant- Daria Vernon

Bow before the Elf Queen- JM Kearl

The Crystal Shard- R. A. Salvatore

Streams of Silver- R. A. Salvatore

The Halfling's Gem- R. A. Salvatore

The Legacy- R. A. Salvatore

Starless Night- R. A. Salvatore

What Lurks Between the Fates- Harper L Woods & Adailade Forrest

Shadow Wizard- Jeffe Kennedy

Rogue Familiar- Jeffe Kennedy

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Witch Hat Atelier

My Father is a Unicorn

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu

Restaurant to Another World

The Savior's Book Café Story in Another

Campfire cooking in another world with my absurd skill

The Way of the Househusband

Delicious in Dungeon

Housekeeping Mage from Another World

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits

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Reading Challenges:

Read 5 Dragon related books (listed)

Read 3 books I read in school (listed)

Read 2 classics (listed)

Read at least 5-7of the Legend of Drizzt books (listed)

Read 5 books recommended to me

Read at least 5 books by Grace Draven (listed)

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Total Reading Goal: 50

Just to be kind to my future self when she looks at this at the end of the year: remember that we were pregnant, had a baby, had to look for a new job, and had to move. We just didn't have time. Maybe we will next year.

Also I will admit I've been binge reading some of Tiffany Roberts' work here and there.

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Ok this year's reading challenge was completely and utterly slashed. I got overly enthusiastic and just went all over the place. I enjoyed reading when I could, especially after having a baby. February through May was difficult for me as I was in a lot of pain and just wanted to sleep on the last few months of pregnancy. I cried a lot. After I gave birth, reading helped me slowly heal my new found scattered and tired mom brain. I started off slow and after August when I started working again, I came back with a vengeance.

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Favorites:

* it was good

** loved it

*** would read again and again

**** Can't stop thinking about it, won't stop thinking about it

Not a fan: X

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Top Reads of 2023:

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2023 Guilty Pleasure Books:

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2023 Favorite Authors:

Tiffany Roberts

Rebecca F. Kenney

Petra Palerno

Kimberly Lemming

Carlotta Hughes

J. Penner

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Favorite Series:

Bubble Babes

Orc Matched

Order of the Unseen

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Re-reads:

The Martian

Project Hail Mary

Ice Planet Barbarian

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2022 Reading List and Reviews- 36

[theriu]

Oo!!! You may like Tara Grayce’s Bluebeard and the Outlaw, a take on the story where Bluebeard isn’t actually what everyone thinks. It explains what happened to his first wife and it doesn’t involve a room full of corpses. Very good read, and a much nicer take on the story imo. =)

Since you can't seem to swing a cat without knocking over a fairytale retelling that centers a different character from the original lead, you know who I want to hear from? Bluebeard's first wife.

Because, like, you can assume that every wife before the one we follow fell into the same trap of finally opening the Forbidden Closet of Mystery and discovering the hidden corpses, and was then killed to protect the secret...but the first wife would have no corpses to find. So why did he kill her?

Was it just for her money, and that's how he became rich enough to woo all the others? Was she getting ready to leave him for whatever reason? Did she cheat? Did he cheat, and kill her in the confrontation after she found out? Does he have some sordid criminal past even before his string of uxoricide, and when she found it, he killed her to protect that? Did he simply, over time, come to find her odious?

I know this was never a consideration in creating the story, and it doesn't really need to be, but...what goes on?

[sarcasmiclife]

Elf Prince by Tara Grayce