Today I’m excited to participate in the Creative Blog Tour for To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker hosted by MTMC Tours! This is the captivating first book in an adult fantasy series full of explosive secrets, breathtaking angst, immersive imagery, and heart wrenching emotions. Out on July 24th, 2021!
Now read on below for an (incorrect) Character Q&A plus an International giveaway!
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To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
Series: Crystal Bloom #1
ISBN: 167816240X
Genres: Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Format: Paperback, Kindle
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon|Book Depository
Source: Author, MTMC Tours
I received this book for free from Author, MTMC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What a pretty flower to keep locked in a big, rocky tower.
Nineteen years ago, I was plucked from the heart of a bloody massacre that spared nobody else.
Small. Fragile.An enigma.
Now ward to a powerful High Master who knows too much and says too little, I lead a simple life, never straying from the confines of an imaginary line I've drawn around the castle grounds.Stay within. Never leave.Out there, the monsters lurk. Inside, I'm safe ... though at a cost far greater than the blood I drip into a goblet daily.Toxic, unreciprocated love for a man who's utterly unavailable.
My savior. My protector.My almost executioner.I can't help but be enamored with the arcane man who holds the power to pull my roots from the ground.
When voracious beasts spill across the land and threaten to fray the fabric of my tailored existence, the petals of reality will peel back to reveal an ugly truth. But in a castle puddled with secrets, none are greater than the one I've kept from myself.No tower is tall enough to protect me from the horror that tore my life to shreds.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a dark Rapunzel reimagining full of immersive imagery and breathtaking angst. A unique new fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, guaranteed to grip you from the very first page.
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Review
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To Bleed a Crystal Bloom is a thrilling retelling of Rapunzel with a darker twist. We follow the story of Orlaith who lives a secluded life and somehow a bit sheltered, but she finds it comforting and hopes it will keep being this way. In fact, she would love to spend her time alone, visiting her friend Kai, sparring with Baze, testing Rhordyn’s patience, eating honey buns and above all: paint to her hearts’ desire. But those plans are quickly vanished the moment she is asked to step out of the castle’s comfortable seclusion & start getting more involved with society. And as new dangers ravish the continent, it is imperative that she catches up to them, before the monsters breaking havoc catch up to her.
In this first installment of the Crystal Bloom series, full of colorful descriptions and amazing characters, it was hard to put it down. I loved reading about Orlaith and discovering this new world and the many secrets in it, including the ones hidden from her past.
I would also like to mention Cain, who is a character that came into the picture later in this story, but find very intriguing. He belongs to the southern part of the continent and with him, opens up a world of possibilities to the plot.
There are so many unanswered questions yet tho and I cannot wait for the sequel to keep following Orlaith’s story!!
Character Q&A with Orlaith
Today we are so excited to have with us today Orlaith from the Crystal Bloom series for a fun Q&A! Welcome to the blog, Orlaith!
Tell us, what’s it like to live in Castle Noir?
Castle Noir is brimming with secrets, but most of the are not my own. They’re Rhordyn’s or his ancient predecessors who are never talked about.
The Reader: It does sound very mysterious, it must be fascinating to live in a castle!
What about your room? Can you tell us a bit of your hobbies?
All my furniture has been made to fit my space–a curved dresser , my four-poster bed with a headboard that arcs, even my bath molds against the stone cylinder of the central stairwell. Against the outer wall, a narrow table sweeps a quarter of the circumference, its surface littered with bunches of dried flowers, numerous mortar and pestles, little jars of bits and bobs … and rocks. Lots of sable rocks in various shapes and sizes, many dressed or half-dressed in colorful brushstrokes.
The Reader: Your bedroom sounds so perfect! We know that you love painting and experimenting with different colors.
What is your favorite time of day?
You can always tell what time of the day it is bt he varying smells of the kitchen.
Midday belongs to the hearty aroma of slow reasted game. Evening’s filled with fire-charred root vegetables and rich botanical seasonings. At night, the air is either pinched with the acidity of pickling liquids or sweetened by sugared berries being reduced into jelly preserve. And in the mornings, like right now. there’s the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread …
My favorite time of day.
The Reader: Omg that’s absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for giving us a tour of your eveyday life and for chatting with us, we cannot wait for everyone to meet you!
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INTL Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where two lucky readers will win a signed copy of To Bleed a Crystal Bloom and a $25 Amazon gift card! Ends on August 29th, 2021. Winner will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.
Tour Schedule:
August 16
@paperfury – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@jupiterdropsco – Bookstagram
August 17
@leahslittlepleasures – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@beauty_in_books17 – Bookstagram
August 18
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@tairen_soul – Bookstagram
August 19
@b.u.n.n.yb.o.o.k.s_wonderland – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@theladysparks – Bookstagram
August 20
@bookbriefs – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@books_over_everything – Bookstagram
August 21
@my_heart_is_booked – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@thefaeinitiate – Bookstagram
August 22
@nelthewhichcraftsbooks – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@belladonnabooks – Bookstagram
August 23
@halfwildbooks – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@dbookishprincess – Bookstagram
August 24
@pavlinamich – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@the_bookaddict – Bookstagram
August 25
@mabookyard – Bookstagram + Book Blog
@seasonforreading – Bookstagram
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Hosted by:
About Sarah A. Parker
Sarah is an international bestselling author who also writes under the pen name S.A. Parker.
She lives in Australia with her husband and children, and spends her days with her nose in a book or her mind in a world of her own creation.
Her genre of choice is epic fantasy romance, and she thrives off dreaming up complex characters and immersive worlds to get lost amongst.
