Lately, I’ll say to my husband, “guess what I’m working on?” And he’ll reply… “New book covers again?”
Yep. You got me.
My Arcera Trilogy covers were still not right, so I decided to take another look at them. So today I’m sharing with you a new cover reveal!
I’m really in love with these covers, all featuring a silhouette of Sylvia! Most of them feature scenes from the wilds, except for book #2–the location of which I won’t mention, because, spoilers!
Keep scrolling to see the first paperback of Meadowcity with the new cover. And you can get the trilogy in ebook, paperback, or audiobook with these lovely new covers.
* * * He wants to forge a new empire, at any cost. And she’s the only one standing in his way.
Professional adventurer Sylvia Thorne just wants to travel through the wilds between cities for a living, but when the governor of Skycity declares war on her home, she must embark on a quest that will determine the fate of the Four Cities forever.
And if she’s not careful, it won’t be just her life she’s risking—but everyone in Meadowcity.
Governor Sorin Greyling of Skycity is obsessed with knowledge. When he discovers the Four Cities’ darkest secret, he’ll stop at nothing to obtain the knowledge and power that has remained hidden for centuries.
Will Sorin’s discovery make him a legendary leader? Or will it drive him down a dark path of destruction?
But it was insane for me in LOTS of GOOD ways! I’ve grown so much as an author this year, this whole blog post is about all the exciting things I’ve accomplished, because why not celebrate the good things? Post contains affiliate links.
I always like to do a “looking back” post this time of year around my birthday.
I’m an optimist. But I struggled a lot this year, too, like everyone else in the world. Being pregnant during covid was an interesting journey, and I don’t think any of us will ever forget this year. But I don’t like to focus on the bad stuff.
I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.
Winston Churchill
So first, here are some of my non-publication achievements:
– I learned how to cut my toddler’s hair! And nobody got hurt. Now if I only wanted to brave my own hair without messing it up…
– My Etsy shop did almost 400% better than 2019 (yep, 400%). If you didn’t know, I sell handmade papercut bookmarks. And I came very close to making 1,000 sales before I put it on vacation mode for maternity leave. Next year!!
– I had a baby!
– I gained several more wonderful editing clients and grew my freelance editing portfolio.
This notebook has been very popular, and I can officially say I sold hundreds of copies this year. I’m excited to see where it goes, and am currently trying to pursue some new sales venues.
Published The Storm King June 9. Still have book # three in the works, but not sure when exactly I’ll have time for it.
I’ve got a few things planned for 2021. I’m hoping to release 2 new books in the Everturn Chronicles. After that, well, who knows!
I hadn’t actually planned on releasing all of the books I did in 2020, and you can see how that turned out. I think originally it was just going to be the Writer’s Notebook, and The Storm King. But I had a golden moment in time with my toddler’s sleep schedule where I could write and do work during his nap and while he was in bed mornings and evenings.
Fortunately, as I was already a stay/work at home mom, my schedule didn’t actually change much this year. I just had less places to go/things to do with the toddler during his waking hours. I can’t wait until we can get out and about again, now with his little brother, too!
Let’s all try to remember the good things about 2020, and not the bad.
Great news! A Rift Between Cities is now available for sale on Audible, making the Arcera Trilogy complete in audio form. Coming soon to Amazon and iTunes as well.
It has been a fun journey producing these audiobooks, and I learned a lot about audiobook production. With all the craziness of this year, perhaps it took longer than usual (on Audible’s end), but we made it!
I’d like to give a HUGE thanks to my wonderful narrator, Jordan Scherer, who brought Sylvia and the Four Cities to life.
“Liz Delton is a wonderful steampunk author who infuses her novels with action, humor, whimsy, and charming characters set in a unique fantastical world.”
Elizabeth Chatsworth, Author of The Brass Queen
This was one of my absolute favorite books to write, and it’s definitely got one of my favorite cover designs! I’m already working on writing book #2, The Thief’s Amulet, and just started messing around with the new cover–because if I’m going to procrastinate writing, I might as well do it with another writing-related project, right?
I’ve had some awesome reviews coming in for The Alchemyst’s Mirror, had the local newspaper do a feature on me, and even got to talk about the book on a UK radio show.
“A fast paced tale of mystery, sisterhood, and tea.”
H.L. Burke, Fantasy Author
“If you enjoy steampunk or mystery adventure stories, then I recommend reading The Alchemyst’s Mirror. It was a mix of Indiana Jones and Sherlock Holmes, but with two sisters leading the story.”
The Plum Report
To keep on celebrating this book, I’m going to start releasing some of the recipes featured in the blog tour, but with more pictures! When I decided to include “tea shop recipes” in the blog tour, I test baked all of them. Today I’m going to share a really yummy one, Elliot Everturn’s Raspberry Crumble Bars.
The Recipe: Raspberry Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Flour- 1 Cup Oats- 1 Cup Baking Powder- 1 tsp Brown Sugar- 3/4 Cup Butter- 1/2 Cup (1 stick) Raspberries- 2 Cups (fresh or frozen) Lemon Juice- 2 tbsp White Sugar- 1/2 Cup Flour- 2 tbsp
Instructions
Mix the flour, oats, baking powder, and brown sugar in a bowl.
Melt the butter, and stir it into the mixture until crumbly.
Pour two thirds of the mixture into an 8×8 pan (or pie dish)
In a small bowl, mix the raspberries with the lemon juice, white sugar, and flour.
Spread the raspberries evenly across the crumble in the pan.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble on top.
Bake at 350F for 35 minutes
Cool and cut into squares
Top with lemon glaze: Powdered sugar with a dash of lemon juice added until it reaches desired icing consistency.
When I made mine, I used frozen raspberries, and they worked perfectly!Just look at that crumble
Welcome to my blog series featuring a roundup of select fantasy books of all sub-genres that are published this month.
Looking for new fantasy books to read? Keep reading to see what’s new this month, in order of release date.
This month we’ve got a variety of sub-genres: Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairytale, Paranormal, and more. Content ratings are given by the author. This post contains affiliate links.
I’m an immortal magician who only wants a peaceful life with his fiancée. My elemental nemesis was soundly beaten—so I thought—but now she’s back and plans to reign over all humans in the guise of a resurrected Aztec deity.
She will do anything to sway her followers.
Every day, more people are drawn to her earth-worshiping cult at the cost of their lives. Can I stop this self-proclaimed goddess before the entire city is under her dominion?
Release date: November 6, 2020 Sub-genre: YA Epic Fantasy Content rating: PG- 13
The end is here.
Satinka and her friends have finally made it to the Five Stars of the North. There is nothing left but to rescue Memnyir and face Sunne in a battle to the death. In this thrilling conclusion, the team confront Sunne and Āni in a fight they know could cost their lives. The Age of Mankind is tested, and the battle of gods and dragons commences. One way or another, the War of the North will be won, and the fate of the world decided.
Release date: November 6, 2020 Sub-genre: Urban Fantasy Content rating: PG-13
Following a narrow escape from the secret world of warring shapeshifters, Ellie St. James works at building a new life under an assumed identity—until Carter Ballis, head of security for mob boss and shifter leader Sean Costas reenters her life, bringing the perils of his job with him. This time, it’s not just Ellie’s life at stake, but Carter’s too, as Sean’s rivals close in on them both. Far outmatched, Ellie refuses to crumble when it comes to protecting those around her. However, when a partial translation of the magical Stones of Fire, coupled with a terrible misunderstanding, thrust Ellie into the gravest danger she’s faced yet, even the Talos himself may not be able to reach her in time…
Release date: November 10, 2020 Sub-genre: Urban Fantasy Content rating: PG
In the battle to save the world, things have taken a fatal turn.
The elite mages have succeeded in getting ahead of Kashmeru’s shadow army, but now the power has shifted, and the good guys have taken a hit. It’s up to Jae and the rest of the crew to outwit the Pishacha and take back what they’ve lost.
Loyalties are tested and resilience pushed to the limits, as the war continues between the divine and evil.
Release date: November 11, 2020 Sub-genre: Steampunk/Gaslamp Fantasy Content rating: PG
An invention gone wrong. A city buried in snow. And she only has ‘til Christmas to make it right.
Aurelia Sundon has an idea for a brilliant invention that will ensure her family’s financial future. But the elite inventor’s guild has imposed a ridiculous deadline for invention applications: Christmas Day. With only four days until the deadline, Aurelia thinks she can finish it in time.
Until her old love Frederick Grandville steps back into her life when he enters the competition with his own invention. Frederick could be the downfall of Aurelia’s career. Again. But when his invention goes out of control, the wondrous snow it brings down on the ever-sunny city of Soldark turns into an outright blizzard.
With a broken promise between them, she’s not so sure she wants to help him. But the clock is ticking, the snow is getting deeper, and Aurelia must find a way to team up with her rival or risk losing her one chance at a better life.
Release date: November 15, 2020 Sub-genre: Upper Young Adult Content rating: PG-13
When a heist goes terribly wrong and the binding spell holding 17-year-old Neva’s powers at bay is shattered, the half-human thief knows she’s in trouble.
Neva has always hidden her Da’Valian heritage while working risky jobs to make a name for herself and serving at her family’s tavern, but she won’t be able to hide much longer. She can either risk the safety of those she cares about or seek out her mother’s people to gain control over her emerging powers.
The Da’Valia are beautiful, brutal creatures created by the god of war, and the austere Da’Valian soldier Astiand reluctantly agrees to take Neva to his clan under his protection. She makes unexpected friends, including the handsome fighter Emiliand, and a new enemy in the clan’s ruthless leader.
Spying on her guardian, the sly heroine quickly discovers just how deep she has stumbled into a dangerous, developing clan feud.
Will she be able to embrace who she is in time to keep her loved ones safe?
Akira Renée is screwed. Everything that she’d been trying to stop from happening has happened and there’s no turning back. She is now the most wanted witch of the Scarlet Court and has become a beacon of both power and poison.
On the hunt for the Three Relics that could save her and her people, Akira must also outrun the Damned Witches who seek to claim her and her soul. And time is running out.
With the help of Kaden Starling, a handsome Fae warrior who makes her heart race and thoughts blur, Akira struggles to keep a clear head, whilst she tries to save the city from the brink of destruction.
Release date: November 19, 2020 Sub-genre: Fairytale/Dystopian Content rating: PG-13
A savior has awakened. But she might just doom them all.
After Aurianna foils a deadly plot to destroy the capital city, the people believe she has fulfilled the prophecy and prevented the civil war.
However, when Aurianna returns home to the future, she realizes her attempts to thwart the catastrophe failed. Nothing has changed. Yet despite everything, the Arcanes still insist the prophecy is woven into her destiny.
Now Aurianna must work to determine how and where the real event will occur, all while still trying to control her elemental abilities. The fate of time itself is at stake if she can’t learn to control her powers.
The timeline will be forever stuck in an endless loop.
Uncovering the shocking secrets of her own past threatens to shatter Aurianna’s already fragile balance between power and self-restraint. These secrets have the potential to rip apart her connection with the people she now holds dear.
A tragic set of events leads to a battle of wills and a horrifying revelation that threatens to destroy her heart . . . and her home.
She might be the savior. But time is literally counting on her.
Release date: November 23, 2020 Sub-genre: Mythology Content rating: G
Zaz’s life just got weirder.
With her dad long gone and a mom who lost touch with reality long ago, all she wants to do is finish her internship and make enough to look after herself. So when her best friend gives her a statue of justice, the last thing she needs or expects is for it to come alive.
Will she be what a goddess needs to fight evil? Or will the scales tip toward darkness forever?
Release date: November 24, 2020 Sub-genre: Paranormal Content rating: PG-13
On her twentieth birthday, Lynnie Russell—just a little ol’ thing from down in Havana, Arkansas—falls in love under a full silver moon. When she wakes up the next morning naked and caked in blood, Lynnie is faced with a horrifying truth. She’s death incarnate. In a race to unearth what she’s become, Lynnie must hide her beastly thing from those she loves most. If only to keep them alive. When an unexpected ally offers help, how can she refuse?
Release date: November 30, 2020 Sub-genre: Urban Fantasy Content rating: PG
Veronica “Ronnie” Moon’s father was known as one of the best Nightwatchers around. When he mysteriously disappears during a mission, Ronnie’s sole purpose is to find out what happened to him.
Enter Moonshadow Academy: the school for young mages training to become licensed Nightwatchers
Here, Ronnie will put her skills to the test. But she’ll have to face more than just elemental magic lessons, self-defense training and weapons forging. Students are going missing, demons are breaking through the barrier, and a traitor might be hiding at the academy. Could everything be related to her father’s disappearance? Ronnie’s in pursuit to find out!
Yes, this is my second book release in two weeks. Yes, I have a problem taking on lots of projects.
But I’m really excited to share this story with you! It has a wonderful Christmas vibe coming into the holiday season, but it’s also a fun, feel-good story of an ambitious inventor Aurelia, who is just trying to work her way into the elite inventor’s guild. She has the perfect invention, and only a few days left until the Christmas deadline, when her old love Frederick shows up and throws a wrench in the works. His own invention has gone haywire, and Aurelia has to decide if she can team up with her rival in order to help him–before his invention ruins her own chances at a better life.
I’m so excited to share this book with the world. It was my favorite book to write so far, and I think you’ll like it too. Petra and Maisie will be back in another Everturn Chronicles book, coming out in March 2021.
Don’t forget to check out the book’s Blog & Bookstagram Tour all week, with lots of fun things like recipes from the tea shop, interviews with me, and there’s even a giveaway for a hardcover copy.
I’m so excited for the release of The Alchemyst’s Mirror on October 27th! This steampunk/gaslamp fantasy novel is the first in the Everturn Chronicles, but is a standalone story, so you don’t have to worry about cliffhangers or catching up for the next book.
Check out all the stops along the Blog & Bookstagram tour with some great features; this post will be updated daily.
10/26/2020
C.O. Bonham’s blog~ featuring a review of the book and a recipe for chocolate strawberry scones
As you probably know, I’m a huge tea drinker myself, and since the main setting of The Alchemyst’s Mirror is a tea shop, it seemed almost required that I make up some custom tea blends.
I created the blends using Adagio Teas’ Signature/Fandom Blends function. It’s a really cool section of their website where anyone can come up with a tea blend, design artwork for the tins and bags, and put it up for other people to purchase. Adagio handles all the tea. Or you can even create blends and keep them private.
The person who designs it earns “points” with each sale which can be redeemed for a gift certificate, which is pretty cool. Adagio also rewards points for purchasing tea, and leaving reviews.
These seven teas are all mentioned in The Alchemyst’s Mirror
I first started by making a list of all the teas mentioned in the book. There happened to be seven, which was perfect considering all of the implications of the number seven in alchemy. Two of the teas are the favorites of the main characters. Petra’s is Hazelnut Midnight, and Maisie’s is Rose Oolong.
Next I went to Adagio’s Signature blend creator. Here you have to choose at least 2 teas to blend. You can also add fun little additions like rose petals, orange peels, (you can even add sprinkles if you want!). So then I figured out what each tea was made out of.
Then there needs to be artwork!
I will say when I received the tins, the designs were much darker than the original art, so I’ll have to keep that in mind for the future! But the sample tines (which are only $5 each) are a very adorable size and perfect for trying a sample or giving as a gift.
Each tea gets its own product page, and you can purchase them in the sample tin size, the 3 ounce pouch, or a 5 ounce tin.
This is a blend of a vanilla oolong tea with a lychee rose green tea, with extra rose petals. I thought the lychee would add a little something extra to the rose flavor. Oolong tea is about halfway between green tea and black tea in terms of caffeine.
Why gunpowder? Not just because it sounds cool and steampunky, it’s actually a type of green tea. Gunpowder green tea is named so because of the shape of the tea leaves after they’ve been processed, forming little pellets. Here it’s blended with blood orange herbal tea, with extra orange peels added.
Did you know that chai just means “tea”? It’s come to be known for spicy cinnamony type teas these days, and the Scitican Chai is a blend of spiced apple chai and masala chai. In the world of The Alchemyst’s Mirror, Scitica (I pronounce it “skit-ika”) is one of the other countries that the Everturns often refer to in regards to exploring for interesting artifacts. This is made with black tea, so it has some caffeine.
This is another tea named after a country in the world of the book- Amaryllia. It’s fairly close to Adonia, where our main characters live, only a three day journey by ship. The tea isn’t just a mint tea, it’s green tea blended with vanilla and chocolate flavors as well as spearmint and peppermint. Green tea is usually about 5-10% the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
A classic “breakfast” tea, this is a blend of an Irish breakfast with straight rooibos tea. Rooibos is sometimes called a red tea, and originates from South Africa, giving the tea more of a reddish hue.
This is one of the plainer, straight-up teas of the collection, and a black tea with caffeine.
Petra Everturn’s favorite tea, this is a blend of mostly black tea, with some hazelnut flavor. It’s bold and simple, with a good amount of caffeine (black tea is usually equal to about 20% the caffeine in a cup of coffee)
It’s also based off of one of my favorite teas, too!
A sweet and fruity tea, extremely low on caffeine, this is a blend of white tea with a peach herbal tea. Adagio’s herbal teas always have lots of flavor, and this peach one even includes pieces of apple, mango and pineapple.
Also, fun fact: It’s almost impossible to scoop tea out of these tins without spilling it!
What do you think? Are you a tea drinker? Or would you ever make a tea blend for your own fandom?
Welcome to my new blog series featuring a roundup of select fantasy books of all sub-genres that are published this month. Looking for new fantasy books to read? Keep reading to see what’s new this month, in order of release date.
This month we’ve got a variety of sub-genres: Steampunk, Mythology & Mythical Creatures, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult and more. Content ratings are given by the author. This post contains affiliate links.
Release date: October 1, 2020 Sub-genre: Young Adult Content rating: PG-13
Build more than you break. Heal more than you destroy.
But what if chaos can’t be tamed?
For centuries, the Legion of Pneumos has lurked behind the seat of power in Loren. To preserve order across worlds, they are charged with battling chaos in all its forms, no matter the cost.
Keira Altman, the newest Legionnaire, has spent years perfecting the art of wielding pneuma and channeling order out of chaos. Ripped from her own world and into one she barely understands, the only thing Keira knows for certain is that she has a purpose. Now, if only she knew what it was.
Yet when word arrives that the Regio lies on his deathbed, Keira’s new world begins to crumble around her. As the specter of a peasant uprising looms large, and political maneuvering threatens to unravel the fabric of society, Keira realizes that her only hope of avoiding the coming turmoil may lie in the very institutions she’s fought so hard against. But can she master the forces of chaos without losing herself to the chaos within? And what if the price of order proves too high to pay?
A phantom rider in the night. A magic bracelet hidden below the earth. An alabaster throne in a fiery palace.
If you stumble upon a well-kept secret in the woods, you can bet that life is bound to become…well, otherworldly.
Sage Sallow is a quiet girl with a mission. Determined to solve her brother’s mysterious disappearance, Sage soon discovers more than she could have ever dreamed of in the off-limits woods behind Manorport Academy.
But when a seance goes awry one stormy Halloween night, dark gods arrive with an agenda of their own. And portals that were once closed are now open. It’s up to Sage and her magical new friends to find her brother— and to save more than just one world.
Magic? Easy. But when you’re the owner of a powerful torc with godlike powers, things can get a little complicated.
Release date: October 14, 2020 Sub-genre: YA Urban Fantasy Content rating: PG-13
A magical key, a sassy mouth, and wicked ninja skills have made me a legend among thieves.
I can unlock the past and steal anything, anytime, anywhere.
But solving my father’s murder? Two years later I still have zero leads.
Thanks to my father’s debt, The Thieves’ Guild has me working shady jobs that bring me no closer to the truth. Instead, I’ve got my hands full with dangerous magical artifacts and my ex-turned-rival who is desperate to see me fail.
Nineteen years in this world of magic and thievery have taught me to trust no one. But I can’t do this alone, and if I don’t figure out who spilled my father’s blood, there’s a good chance I’ll be the next one to turn up dead.
The clock is ticking, and the only thing I can’t steal is more time.
Release date: October 15, 2020 Sub-genre: Young Adult Content rating: PG-13
One prince wants her out. Another wants her as a pawn. Someone wants her dead.
Zora wants to win the cup and tell them all to screw themselves.
Yes, 17-year-old Zora cheated her way into the Royal Games, but it was for a very good reason. Her ex-boyfriend thought she couldn’t attain glory on her own. Just because she was a girl. And he was the real cheater. So she took his place.
Now she’s competing for the legendary Blood Cup, representing the Dark Valley. It’s her chance to prove her worth and bring glory for her people. If she wins, of course.
But winning is far from easy. The younger prince thinks she’s a fragile damsel who doesn’t belong in the competition. Determined to eliminate her at all costs, he’s stacking the challenges against her. Zora hates him, hates him, hates him, and will do anything to prove him wrong.
The older prince is helping her, but the cost is getting Zora entangled in dangerous flirting games. Flirting, the last thing she wanted.
Release date: October 15, 2020 Sub-genre: Coming of Age Content rating: PG
Finding out you’re a princess destined to stop a war sounds great, until it actually happens.
Running isn’t new to Azlana. She ran from the harsh words of the kids back home. She ran from certain death when she fled the human city as heir to the elven throne. “It only makes sense to run again.” The Darkness whispers to her when she’s swept away to a hidden school and thrust into a role she doesn’t understand. And that isn’t all this new voice brings. Images of death fill her dreams until she can’t tell where her thoughts end and The Darkness begins. What if its showing her the future of her kingdom?
She has to run to save everyone she loves. But if she runs, she dooms them to a war that may never end.
If she doesn’t assume the throne and unite elves and man, war will end magic forever. But if she stays, the Darkness may overcome all.
Release date: October 20, 2020 Sub-genre: Dark Fantasy Content rating: PG
A boarding school at war. A cursed book calling her name.
As supernatural forces of the Transitioned World prepare to unleash havoc onto the grounds of the boarding academy, Izara and Kain find themselves pulled in opposite directions.
But time is running out. Every second, Credan’s power grows from within his grave threatening to possess them entirely.
Will the twins be able to conquer their inner demons before the final battle crashes down on them killing everyone they know and love?
Release date: October 27, 2020 Sub-genre: Steampunk / Gaslamp Fantasy Content rating: PG
A missing brother. A secret society. And a mysterious artifact that’s worth more than gold.
Petra and Maisie Everturn just want to run their family’s tea shop, but when their explorer brother Jiordan goes missing while looking for an alchemycal artifact, none of them are safe.
The sisters must enlist the help of another explorer in order to find Jiordan or the artifact—before the mysterious alchemyst society finds them first.
However, when one of the sisters stumbles into the clutches of the most dangerous alchemyst in the city, the race to unravel the clues becomes desperate. And when they discover the truth about the artifact, their quest to infiltrate the alchemyst’s secret society becomes a matter of life and death.
Release date: October 31, 2020 Sub-genre: Paranormal Content rating: PG
The stakes are higher than ever…
As I recover from my last trial where I was confronted by the darkest creatures in history, I hoped things would return to my normal, peaceful life.Not a chance.With my return to Oklealia academy and the arrival of a new headmistress whose inhuman ways turn the academy into a jail, my plate is full enough, but signs of an upcoming threat awaken my fears once more.
Time is running out— for me and the world. When the final battle arrives, will I make the right choice?
