Today's Featured Books

Free online: Standing on the Moon - The Lyrical Imagination, a virtual event that explores the intersection between lyric writing and literature through performance and conversation. Sunday, August 18, 11 AM CDT. 

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." ~Maya Angelou

"These mercurial poems surprise, thrill, and move in equal measure." ~Independent Book Review. Laughing is Forever is a collection of gritty, rhythmic poetry that explores hard-knock life, domestic violence, and poverty while also delivering a powerful punch. 5.0 stars, 16 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

All he wanted was to end the war. Fate had other plans.
 

• Magic-Price, Book 1 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• Magic-Scars, Book 2 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• Magic-Borne, Book 3 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• The Wandering Isles, a sneak peek at Book 1 of Soulbound Journeys

The Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy

An adult epic fantasy that follows the trials of Ian Troy, a man born with an addiction to magic living in a world where magic is reviled and its users are enslaved.

The Crown of Stones Trilogy holds an adventure that transports you to a shattered land in need of rescue, an immersive reading experience that drops you into the mind of exiled soldier Ian Troy. Travel with Ian as he returns to the past to save the future, crossing time to solve the mystery of The Crown of Stones, his true connection to the artifact, and the role it played in shaping all their lives.

Read on to learn more about each book in the trilogy...

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price

What if you were born with an addiction to magic? What if your pleasure meant their pain?

The brutality of war was all Ian Troy had ever known. Peace was all he ever wanted. Fate had other plans when it placed the Crown of Stones, an ancient artifact of untold power, into his battle-weary hands. With one reckless wish, he ended a conflict that had been tearing the realms apart since before he was born. And paid a terrible price.

A decade later, Ian is still haunted by that tragic day. Running from the blood in his veins and on his hands, he struggles to forget—what he’s done and what he is. But when a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings his past crashing into the present, denial is no longer an option.

Praise for Magic-Price

• Bronze Medal - Epic Fantasy, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
• First Place - Fantasy, Top Shelf Book Awards
• "One of the most original fantasy novels I have ever read." ~Peachy Keen Reviews
• "The characters are beautifully flawed and realized. The story is a fine addition to any collection...a very bright star that is well worth your notice." ~Red Star Reviews
• "A fantastic read...dark fantasy with a twist." ~Stephen Rhodes, Fantasy Faction
• "A rollicking, unpretentious good adventure." ~Readers' Favorite

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars

They took it all: his will, his freedom, his magic. How far will he go to get it back?

Struggling to reconcile the man he once was with the man prison made him, Ian Troy emerges from captivity to an unfamiliar world gripped with fear. In the wake of his fall, those he cares for suffered their own grim fates, leaving friends endangered and scattered.

His old enemy, Draken of Langor, seized control of Mirra’kelan and named himself High King. Draken’s brutal reign sparked a desperate rebellion that Ian now finds himself a part of. His one task: recover and repair the Crown of Stones, in the hope that it will tip the balance in their brewing revolution.

Praise for Magic-Scars

• "A story that rivals the best books in the fantasy genre." ~Amazon UK Review
• "The sophistication of magic spells, sources of magic and their effects continue to impress, they hold me to the story and don't let go. Every chapter left me needing more, and at every turn of the story, I felt more and more connected to Troy and his quest." ~The Scary Reviews

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne

How far can a man fall before he can’t rise again?

In one fell swoop, the resistance was shattered. Lives were taken. Hope was lost. Peace slipped like grains of sand through his fingers. So did the Crown of Stones. Now, forced into hiding, Ian Troy grapples for a way to save the realm—and free its people—from the sadistic clutches of Mirra'kelan's new self-appointed emperor.

Entrusted with the future of his race, Ian becomes the linchpin for lasting change. But how much burden can one man carry? And how much is he willing to sacrifice in the name of peace?

Praise for Magic-Borne

• "Intricate, fast-paced, and angsty, it was filled with nail-biting intrigue and suspense, heartbreaking moments. and crazy situations." ~Cover2Cover Reviews
• "Beautifully written, vivid description, compelling action...Magic Borne will not disappoint." ~Michael R. Stern, author of the Quantum Touch Series

           

Free online: All About Venice, a virtual journey to the enchanting city of Venice, Italy. Discover the rich history, art, and cuisine of this iconic destination from the comfort of your own home. Wednesday, August 14, 8:00 PM EDT.

“When I went to Venice, I discovered that my dream had become-incredibly but quite simply – my address.” ~Marcel Proust

Winner: Literary Titan Book Award. Technological selection is coming. The cities need to expand. But there is only so much land left, and the wilderness and animals are hostile to human life. Val’s job is to go in and eliminate the dangerous beasts. Progress knows no mercy, and Val has become a foreigner in her own homeland. What can one person do in a society that has forgotten them? From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

• Beta Readers: Kevin is looking for beta readers for a forthcoming epic fantasy novel.
• Trinitarian Knights Collection Special Edition Boxed Set
• Free e-book edition of Avenging Love, Book 1 of the Trinitarian Knights Collection

Become a Beta Reader
Kevin is looking for beta readers for The Last Sundancer, an epic fantasy in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien and Terry Brooks. Kevin expects to start reaching out to beta readers in the next few weeks. If you are interested in being a beta reader for The Last Sundancer, contact Kevin at kevin@kevinmansoor.com.

What is a Beta Reader? A beta reader is a person who reads a work of fiction before it is published. Beta readers have an opportunity to suggest improvements and otherwise shape the final content of the novel. It's a great way to get involved as a reader and to have an opportunity to interact with an author.

The Trinitarian Knights Collection Special Edition Boxed Set

This special edition boxed set includes all three novels in the series, plus a novella and exclusive bonus content that delves deeper into the characters and events of this epic saga.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Hell with the complete Trinitarian Knights Collection:

• Avenging Love (Book 1): Haunted by tragedy, David embarks on a life-changing journey with his loyal St. Bernard, Duke, to honor the memory of their beloved Sarah. Their laughter-filled escapades and heartbreaking trials weave a tapestry of love and resilience. Together, they confront unimaginable challenges, discovering that David's true strength lies in the enduring power of love. Join David and Duke on this unforgettable quest for redemption.
• Behind the Bravery: Unveiling Heroic Spirits (a bonus-content short): Get the perspective of Duke, David's canine companion in Avenging Love. From heartwarming cuddles to heroic rescues, Duke reveals the hidden depths of the characters you thought you knew. 
• Protecting Love (a novella): Before Avenging Love, a tormented David battles to protect his family. Plagued by nightmarish visions, David confronts a sinister offer that could silence the demons within. As the line between good and evil blurs, David must choose his path: a life free from torment or a battle for his family that could take his life.
• The Deception of Fear (Book 2): David's illusion of tranquility shatters when a nemesis, long believed dead, appears on his doorstep, igniting a maelstrom of mystery and fear. A chilling revelation sends David spiraling into a desperate battle to reunite his loved ones from the clutches of evil. As darkness closes in, David must find the strength to protect his family while discovering the true meaning of fear while feathers fall from the sky.
• Buried Within (Book 3): A creeping darkness threatens to engulf the world as David's closest ally, the fallen Archangel Michael, prepares for a long-foretold battle. With the apocalypse looming, David's family races against time to join Michael's side. But to secure victory, David must embrace a truth he has always denied.

Avenging Love

If you're not quite ready to dive into the full Trinitarian Knights Collection, you can start with a free download of the first book in the series, Avenging Love.

Can one man's love defy the depths of Hell?

Avenging Love is an exhilarating journey that unfolds in a world where the supernatural is just beyond the veil of our understanding. This urban fantasy novel introduces us to David, a once-respected Trinitarian Knight, whose life has spiraled into a haze of tequila and sorrow. Haunted by the loss of his beloved wife, Sarah, he finds solace only at the bottom of a bottle. Yet, when the formidable demon Saraphiss emerges, David must awaken from his stupor and face his demons—both those within and those that lurk in the shadows.

More than a mere tale of revenge, this is also a story of love's transformative power, the resilience of the human spirit, and the redemption that comes from embracing one's true destiny. This narrative is a vivid exploration of the themes of loss, grief, and the unyielding strength of love. It delves into the dichotomy of good versus evil, and the gray areas that define our moral compass.

Join David on his exciting journey, where good and evil blur, and love is the true power behind his sword. 

More About Avenging Love

• An Amazon International Best-Seller: it has ranked #1 in its category in seven different Amazon markets/countries and has never left the top 50 in its category on Amazon in the United States.
• "A thrilling, unforgettable, and incredibly entertaining fantasy tale that will take its readers on a brilliant journey full of twists and turns galore!" ~Goodreads Review
• "Kevin puts you right in the middle of what's happening. So many emotions...anger, fear, humor...I even laughed out loud a couple times. It was refreshing to read a book so well written." ~Amazon Review
• "An absolute masterpiece!" ~Google Play Review

About the Author

Kevin M. Mansoor is a storyteller whose novels have captivated the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide. His literary journey is driven by a deep passion to not just tell stories, but to fully immerse readers in them—creating characters so lifelike that you’ll share in their joys, sorrows, and triumphs as if they were your own. Learn more at KevinMansoor.com. Be sure to also sign up for his newsletter and to follow him online:
 

    

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world-leading festival of words, literature, and ideas, and there are dozens of free online literary events now through August 25. Visit the Festival's What's On page to see the program of events, including Online Events.

“The Scots think of it as their capital; they’re too possessive, Edinburgh belongs to the world.” ~Richard Demarco, Scottish artist and promoter of the visual and performing arts, cofounder of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1963

No one alive remembers that day. No one alive remembers the monsters that destroyed the world. Anne Blankenship has only seen blurry photographs and rough sketches of the aliens. All she knows is that one day, they invaded Earth, and the next, NewMerica was forced to live within a force field to protect its people from the creatures. But all of that happened a thousand years ago. Now, all Anne cares about is passing her career test and becoming a doctor like her father. 4.5 stars, 56 ratings. FREE - SHOP NOW / 

New release: A deadly virus culls the human race. A society of three—a grandmother, her grandson, and his wife—live harmoniously on a friend’s estate. When a plague strikes, it jeopardizes their peaceful existence and tests their courage and resilience. None among this tight trio, nor the enclave in which they've immersed themselves, are quitters; they scrap and fight for themselves and each other. If they lose, they'll go down fighting, leaving their tormentors with unforgettable scars. From $4.99 SHOP NOW /