Cover Reveal (Excerpt & Giveaway): Honor Among Orcs by Amalia Dillin

Today I'm participating in the cover reveal of Amalia Dillin's latest book, Honor Among Orcs. I can remember when Amalia was working on the book and would post about it on Twitter fairly often, and I'm very excited to share the cover with you. I'll also be posting my review for Honor Among Orcs close to its release date.



Title: Honor Among Orcs (Orc Saga, #1)
Author: Amalia Dillin
Cover Designer: Melissa Stevens
Cover Reveal Organizer: Masquerade Book Tours
Release Date: April 1, 2014
After nearly a decade as the king’s whipping-girl, Princess Arianna has no intention of going quietly into marriage to some treasonous noble, or serving obediently as the king’s spy until her death is more convenient. When she discovers a handsome orc, chained and trapped inside a magic mirror, Arianna cannot help but see a lasting freedom from her father's abuse.

Left to rot inside a mirror by the king, Bolthorn never imagined his prayers would be answered by a princess. Nor did he ever expect to meet so worthy a woman after knowing her father’s cruelty. He needs her help to escape the mirror before the king marches against the orcs, but all he can offer Arianna is ice and darkness in exchange for her aid.

If Arianna can free the monster behind the glass, perhaps she might free herself, as well. But once they cross the mountain, there will be no return, and the deadly winter is the least of what threatens them on the other side. Romance blossoms in this gripping fantasy adventure.

Excerpt

He knew these woods, sparse as they had become, and when they broke, he knew the tundra of the foothills too. Just before dawn, he found the outcrop beneath which he had made a shelter his first night beyond the mountains, and though he did not dare to light a fire, the sedge made a soft bed.

After a meal of apples and cheese, the last of their food, Arianna curled against his side, sharing the fur, and rested her head on his shoulder. He tested her forehead for fever and breathed his relief when she did not burn against his palm.

Review (Debut Author Giveaway Hop): Forged by Fate by Amalia Dillin

Welcome to my stop on the Debut Author Giveaway Hop. This hop is co-hosted by Mary at BookHounds/BookHounds YA and Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

What You Can Win

Today I'm giving away Forged by Fate by Amalia Dillin. It released earlier this year, and I was very impressed by the book when I read it, so I decided to promote it on this hop. The information about the book and my review is below:



Title: Forged by Fate (Fate of the Gods #1)
Author: Amalia Dillin
Publisher: World Weaver Press
Release Date: March 5, 2013
After Adam fell, God made Eve to protect the world.

Adam has pursued Eve since the dawn of creation, intent on using her power to create a new world and make himself its God. Throughout history, Eve has thwarted him, determined to protect the world and all of creation. Unknown to her, the Norse god Thor has been sent by the Council of Gods to keep her from Adam's influence, and more, to protect the interests of the gods themselves. But this time, Adam is after something more than just Eve's power — he desires her too, body and soul, even if it means the destruction of the world. Eve cannot allow it, but as one generation melds into the next, she begins to wonder if Adam might be a man she could love.

Every god, from each of the world's pantheons, mythologies, and religions — they’re all real in this enthralling fantasy romance that spans centuries.

My Review

I was quite excited to be approached by Amalia Dillin about reviewing her debut novel, Forged by Fate, because I've known her on Twitter for several years and remember her talking about writing this book. Though I generally have doubts about reading the books of people that I know and enjoy, it was not so in this case. I've been reading her blog for years, and she's done a great deal of research on Thor and other gods. Research is king with me, and I was right in my assumption that Forged by Fate would be good. Not only was it well-researched, all aspects of the novel were tied together seamlessly, and the characters were complex and well-constructed.