Hazel West's Character Purgatory
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Live Q&A + Artstream Tonight!
Sunday, October 11, 2020
COME MARCHING HOME Blog Tour!
October 12th (Monday)
Excerpt/Highlight at Sadie's Spotlight
October 13th (Tuesday)
*Release Day*
*Live Art and Q&A livestream with Hazel (Feat. Claire Banschbach) on Instagram 8:30 PM EST*
Excerpt/highlight at E. Paige Burks' Blog
Excerpt/highlight at Worlds of Fiction
October 14th (Wednesday)
Author interview/character interview at Haunting Ghost Town
October 15th (Thursday)
Review at Rose Print Publishing
October 16th (Friday)
Excerpt/highlight at Not Unworthy
Excerpt/highlight at The Page Dreamer
Excerpt/highlight on M. H. Elrich's Instagram
Title: Come Marching Home
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: After being away for over a year, Alfonse Keller has returned from the trenches on Teuton’s western front, fighting in the war that’s broken out against the Steppes. He should feel relieved now that’s he’s back in his own village in the care of his brother Ernst, but he’s not. It seems like nothing has changed except for him, like he’s a traveler from a different world.
When Alfonse left to join the army, he was a natural magician making a name for himself, but after a tragic incident resulting in the death of his friend, and his own crippling injury, he no longer has the ability to use magic.
Suffering from constant nightmares and revisited trauma, Alfonse can’t get the trenches out of his head. Ernst tries to help, but he doesn’t really understand either. How can he, when Alfonse doesn’t really understand himself? He feels like a phantom, standing on the outskirts of a life he’ll never live again.
As Ernst tries to do everything he can for his brother, he can’t help but feel like Alfonse is slipping away, that maybe part of him never left the trenches at all. But how can he save his brother when Alf refuses to let anyone in?
Want This Swag Pack? Order the book before the end of the month!
** I will be doing a live art-stream and Q&A on Instagram (@modern_bard67) with Claire Banschbach (@cmbanschbach) on Tuesday night (October 13th) to celebrate the release! Join us for randomness while I try to draw and answer questions at the same time.
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Order Come Marching Home and Get Goodies!
Friday, October 2, 2020
Cover Reveal: COME MARCHING HOME
Hi guys! I'm so excited to share the cover reveal for my new book today:
Goodies:
-A bookmark
-A sticker with art by H.S.J. Williams
-A playlist curated by myself
-And if you order the paperback, you will get a signed bookplate
Pre-Order Links:
Add Come Marching Home on Goodreads
My Links:
Goodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5289626.Hazel_B_West
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artfulscribbler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern_bard67/
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/hazelwest
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Review: A Is For Apple (A Snow White Anthology)
This is a super fun and very unique collection of Snow White retellings! I thought I would do a short review on each of the stories in this anthology:
The Poet’s Missing Daughter (Phoenix Xiao): I really liked the Chinese setting to this one, I thought that made for an interesting basis for a Snow White story. I also really liked the investigative narrative; again, very unique feel. Also loved Lotus! It was a bit of a vague retelling, and I might not have recognized it as a Snow White story reading it by itself, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
The Kingdom of the Mirror (Julian Barr): This was a really cool retelling. I liked seeing Snow White written as a high fantasy and was also intrigued by the fact it was told from the Queen’s perspective. This actually made her into a rather sympathetic character over all since we got a background and reason for her motives. Would really be intrigued to see where the story went from here.
Snow White and the Silent Death (J. W. Atkinson): This was a really cool story because we got some of Snow White’s POV while she was in the coma. The idea that she was in some sort of purgatory during this time where lost souls of those killed by the queen are fighting a constant war was a really interesting and unique concept. Also one that I feel adds a lot to the story and climax and to Snow White’s personality. I really liked Peli and was happy that Snow got to be reunited with her mother again, if only briefly.
Skin Deep (Mark Hood): This was an interesting modern take on Snow White but, ultimately, not my cup of tea. I do like how it read like an exposé but it felt like reading exactly that, like one of the hundreds of exposés that come out of YouTube drama. That being said, it was very realistic because of that and the beauty community is pretty apropos for a Snow White retelling. Good story, well done, just not for me.
The Many Failures of Evil (Marlene Simonette): This was a dark and rather creative retelling. I am also fond of retellings that kind of mix around typical tropes to make a new story and this one turned out very interesting. I especially liked the characters and the cursed nature of the land. Quite a lot of interesting elements went into this one, both in the fantasy aspect and the rather more psychological aspect as well. A Very dark and intriguing story, overall enjoyed it.
A Fruitful Heist (Robyn Sarty): I’m always a fan of heist stories and really enjoyed seeing these elements mixed into a Snow White story. I really liked the modern fusion for this one and the ‘apple’ being the prize for the heist. My only complaint for this one is that I would have liked to see more of it.
Conclusion: Overall, a really fun collection of some genuinely unique retellings of Snow White. I read a lot of retellings so it’s always nice to find ones that still feel fresh. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves retellings and is looking for a fun, quick summer read!
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
THE LAST GLADIATOR by Daniel Ottalini
Friday, April 24, 2020
An Interview with Lysander and Flynn
“Oh, it’s our pleasure, I’m sure everyone is looking forward to hearing what you have to say.” The Interviewer turns to the man in the sound booth. “We’re ready to go on.”
“Oh, of course, I apologize,” the Interviewer says, a bit flustered. “As you know we’re here today to talk a little about this book of yours.”
“I’m doing what I have always done,” Lysander says with a shrug. “Keeping my country safe, serving my king.”
“And I’m essentially doing what I’ve always done too, more or less,” Flynn says. “Just…different application.”