Hey ,
This is the weekly Thursday NL for S.M. McCoy for all things fantastical sci-fi fantasy and paranormal adventures with a splash of romance.
If you are on this NL it is because you joined a giveaway like AuthorsXP, BookSweeps, grabbed a copy of My Abett, Kingdom of Acatalec, or spotted my Divine series around and thought that author seems cool, and I would like to stay in touch!
This week was hectic. Like many best laid plans, they crumble at our feet. My friend had an emergency and I had to go help for the last few days, and like most times we try to fill the gaps of another, other areas of our lives crack under the pressure.
My mom and my husband stepped up and filled in those cracks as best they could to help take care of things and the kiddos, being as it's summer now and no school. But I have some catching up to do, and both are not super happy with me for agreeing to help when it meant my friend sacrificed nothing for their family's emergency, and my family sacrificed to make it happen for those couple days.
I didn't really look at it that way when I agreed to help.
Basically, I did nothing for the last couple days towards well anything in my own life except basic life like food, laundry, and sleep.
My week started with a migraine that knocked me on my ass and I woke the next day to having to scramble my own family to help cover for a friend. Including driving time, helping my friend took 5-6 hours out of my own family's day a couple times. My husband had to sacrifice his own time with work to help cover watching our own kids, my mom had to help watch our kids when he couldn't because I was helping to pick up my friend's kids from their camps and stay until they came home from work themselves.
Sometimes, people don't think about all the things behind the scenes that bent to keep another up straight. This is why, I'm the kind of person that doesn't ask for help from anyone but my husband or my mom, and even then, I'm very aware of what they are sacrificing to help and I try to be mindful.
My mom will bend for me at the cost of herself, and many times she offers her help I decline. I know people can take advantage of her kindness, and I've seen it many times as I grew up. I never wanted to be that person that didn't see the way people can give to the point of breaking.
Why should I make another bend without risking bending myself? I will bend before I require another to bend as well. But even that means that those who are attached to me bend when I do.
I use this kind of bending in my own stories, and I guess I didn't really think about that until now, but my MC chooses to bend for the greater good, the greater cause, the betterment of others, and they bend. And bend some more until they meet another that sees the cracks before they break. Someone who knows the MC is strong, can take care of things themselves, but recognizes that people don't have to bend on their own.
It's okay to ask for help, and when you can't, surrounding yourself with others who know when to let go before you break. And others still who soothe the aches and help straighten you out for when the next storm blows your way.
Medusa is a protector, even her name means protector. She bends, and bends to help, and protect. In Taking Medusa, she's reborn in modern times and is drawn back to the sea, Atlantis, and King Triton. She's captured, but even still she fights to protect the city when it's under attack, she jumps into danger to protect merpeople that only showed her small kindnesses in a torrent of laws that left her with little choice of saving herself. Again, she has a choice to save herself or save others, and she always chooses someone else over herself, even when she thinks about saving herself, claims that is what she'll do, tries to put herself first, but when push comes to shove, she never chooses herself.
And the type of love that comes into her life that recognizes her need to protect at her own expense and tries to take on those burdens themselves is truly what I would call the perfect kind of book love. Medusa will gather love around herself, and together they can fight the battles to come.
Yes, Taking Medusa is a slow-burn romance, but her insights in to seeing the good in "monsters" is what makes her such a strong and enjoyable character to follow.
Here is the most recent review posted to the zon from ARC readers:
"I absolutely loved this different take on Greek Mythology! I love mythology of any kind anyways and this was an amazing take and I highly recommend! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!." - Angel
"I've loved mythology since I was a kid and started reading. It's one of my favorite genres. The author has nailed the updated version of Medusa with a twist. Her story has some triggers but it's part of the original Medusa story. Hope there are more books like this one." - Mima
"I loved 🥰 this beautifully written story and the fascinating, engaging characters each with their own unique story and insights. Theo is Medusas sister and battles to save her, Apollo’s prophecy shadows them all, Triton king of Atlantis wants Alessandra, the gods & goddess wants to stop Apollos prophecy. Alessandra doesn’t believe in the Gods and has no knowledge of who she is or what she’s destined to become, she must weave her way through danger, confusion and fear. With her kind heart she is trying to help and improve the lives of others and find betrayals, friendship, love and despair. And in her anger she finds her destiny, she will become the Queen of Darkness." - Sue
I hope you enjoy the story of Taking Medusa, and I look forward to sharing more of her story in books to come.
Grab Taking Medusa on Kindle and become a verified reader: https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
Or check out the hardcover and art print that just came in the mail yesterday, check out my Instagram reel!
Signed Hardcovers with art prints available in the author store: https://payhip.com/b/oDOMj
My life is a bit all over the place right now, but I'll straighten it out soon enough. But, my writing is pretty non-existent this week. I have been listening to books on audiobook while I've been driving to pick up kiddos, and have discovered a new audiobook narrator that I really enjoy! Erin Moon is such a great voice actor! Really enjoyable listening. I grabbed Firebolt on audiobook from the Library app ^_^
Until next time!
Indie Temptation Highlight
The kissing game.
Lady Adelina Halifax has never been kissed, which honestly is the second worst thing that can happen to a young lady. Apart from being left at the altar, of course. And publicly losing her reputation.
Adelina might just have ruined her first Season, earning the reputation of a fast and spoiled debutante, and ending up being jilted by her own bridegroom. But before she can accept the hated fate of a spinster she is determined to do one thing right: She will be kissed before the Season ends. But by whom?
Enter Lord Burns. Golden-haired. Rich. Loyal. Kind. A war hero. Has the face and stature of Apollo. Is desperately in love with Adelina. There is just one problem: She hates the very sight of him.
But it can’t be helped. She will try to swallow her distaste of the man and his proper, gentlemanly ways that force him to always want to rescue her. He will be perfect to practice kissing with, since no one else wants to.
Here are the "kissing game" rules:
- Lord Burns is absolutely forbidden to transform her into a proper lady.
- He is absolutely forbidden to ask her to marry him.
- He is absolutely forbidden to stop kissing her (until she says so).
There. Now she is completely safe. What are the chances that she will end up falling desperately in love with Lord Burns while he learns to loathe the very sight of her? The very idea! Impossible.
And then, the kissing begins.
Kissed is a hate-to-love-to-hate-to... Regency romance that will melt like chocolate in your mouth.
Signed prints (hardcover and paperback) Hardcover is AVAILABLE NOW! Paperback is pre-order https://payhip.com/brokenbookspublishing
Grab Taking Medusa on Kindle: https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
Reviews from ARC Readers:
"The author has nailed the updated version of Medusa with a twist." - Sandra (Waiting to see this one pop on the zon! Thank you, Sandra, for emailing me your thoughts!)
"While not true to the original myth, this book “fixed” it in a way that is much better for modern audiences. This story captured my attention from start to finish. Thank you for giving Medusa a chance to be not only a “good guy” but a true Hero." - Erin
"This thrilling tale blends mythology, adventure, and the eternal struggle between gods and mortals. With its intriguing premise, well-crafted world-building, and a resilient protagonist at its core, this book is sure to delight fans of mythological fiction and those seeking a captivating escape into a world of gods and monsters. Prepare to be enthralled as Alessandra battles against the gods and stakes her claim to her own destiny." - Leah
"I absolutely loved the book. It was highly entertaining and interesting. I look forward to reading the next book." - Nathan
"This is such an amazing book! I rarely find a book that is this good anymore. I like reading Greek mythology and Medusa has been a favorite character for a long while but there is not many books out there that really catch my attention like this one did. If you are into reading a Greek mythology retelling, give this one a try. You won't regret it! " - LaWanda
"Loved every second of it!" - Mica
"Wow. For lovers of mythology this is a must read. S.M McCoy is an author that I now have to put in my must read list." - Doris
Taking Medusa!
I was used by the gods.
A monster to:
Display
F*ck
Slay
Kidnapped by mermaids, I've killed Triton's daughter of the Coral Sea, and am destined by the fates to die, but they don't know who I am.
I'll be the ruin of them all.
I'll expose who the true monsters are.
The dark gods will rise.
I am Medusa.
And my story will be told.
You can support this new series of Dark Gods Greek Myth Retellings by pre-ordering the book Taking Medusa on the zon and becoming a verified reader: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6NXSN7X
Add Taking Medusa to your GR TBR here: Taking Medusa (Dark Gods Rising, #1) by S.M. McCoy | Goodreads
Don't forget to dig out your free book My Abett and give it a read, you can devour it in under 2 hours for a small reality escape.
You can read My Abett with Kindle Unlimited to help support the universe of Acatalec, or fish it out of your readers from downloading your freesies copy from Bookfunnel 🥰💞
Grab My Abett for freesies: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/pzx6j7x29n
Read My Abett on KU or become a verified reader for 1.99 to help support the next book in the Acatalec Series: https://www.amazon.com/My-Abett-Fantasy-Adventure-Acatalec-ebook/dp/B0B72GF5DJ/
Did you enjoy reading My Abett? Consider leaving a review on the zon, or on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61872483-my-abett
This book takes place before Kingdom of Acatalec, but I wrote if after, so reading it first does change how you read this book, as information is revealed that isn't known in book one.
~Stevie, author of all things fantasical and otherworldly adventurous, mom of a few humans in training... including my hubby. Overall booknerd, and yes... I am writing this in my pjs. Why not?
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MB9JJ7K
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