Hi everyone! I am so excited to share my latest book, Through the White Wood, with you. I have always loved Russian folktales—there’s just something about such fantastical (and often creepy) characters set against a winter backdrop of snow and towering trees that I’ve always found so compelling. . .
“TTWW is the kind of book that keeps you wanting more in the best ways possible. “
G: Speaking of the psychology of characters, we discover early on that Katya isn’t the only one in the book with powers, so how do you choose which powers belong to whom? And does that have anything to do with their personalities at all?
J: It does have a lot to do with their personalities. The reason I chose earth for Grigory is a bit of a spoiler, so I won’t mention it here, but Ivan has the power to negate others’ abilities because he’s sort of the “protector” of the group. For Boris, I thought it would be funny for this guy who loves cooking so much to be a fearsome fighter with superhuman strength. And Kharan was just made for the assassin/spy role.
“A story of friendship, magic, romance, and danger, Through the White Wood is fast-paced, engaging, and fun. I love how Leake pulled me into the story and made me care about these characters and what would happen. It’s definitely an enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end! With the rich setting, magical aspects, character development, a motley crew, and romance, there’s not much more readers can ask for. I’m looking forward to more from this author!”
“Katya and Sasha are each so fun to read about, and I loved seeing them face the challenges and dangers in this story. Giving some strong ‘Ice Queen/Frozen’ vibes, but I loved the classic inspirations used in this story, and really enjoyed the direction Jessica takes [in] this one!”
“Jessica Leake did it again! Through the White Wood is absolutely amazing. This woman knows how to write. If you have not picked up her books, you totally should. She brings such a rich tale to her readers. I just can’t get enough.”
There are countless monsters in this world. Some with fangs, some who skitter in the darkness just out of sight, some who wear human skin but whose hearts have turned dark as forest shadows.
And as my fellow villagers dragged me, bound by rough rope, from the cellar of the elder, I knew that these men and women I’d grown up with—they thought of me as a monster, too.
I wasn’t sure they were wrong.
“Through the White Wood was a beautifully written story with rich descriptions, a strong heroine and a storyline that is bound to sweep you away. . . . This story was thought-provoking and enchanting, keeping me entertained until the very last page. Ms. Leake is a very talented writer and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.”
“In this impactful return to Jessica Leake’s imagination, prepare yourself for a journey. . . . Through the White Wood upheld the integrity of Russian and Slavic folklore through Leake’s narrative interpretation that transports readers to a time where legends flourished among men and magic was a means of unlocking the greatest triumphs of the human spirit. . . . this outstanding read must have a reserved spot on your reading corner.”
“I enjoyed Through the White Wood! I liked seeing Katya’s constant struggle of whether or not she’s a monster and her journey to discover who she is. . . . Jessica Leake’s latest novel is a solid story for those who enjoy a slower-paced book with historical and folklore elements woven together.”
“. . . I enjoyed Through the White Wood. . . . now that I know that Jessica Leake excels at world-building and folklore-researching. . .”
“It is a read full of magic, romance, and friendships. I adored the folklore and just wanted more. I look forward to seeing what else Leake has in store.”
Then, without another word, he climbed into the driver’s seat, gathered the reins, and pulled us away from the only home I’d ever known, of a prince they said was a monster.
But then, they said I was one, too.
I promised myself I wouldn’t look back, but I did it anyway, squinting through the snow at the thirty-seven villagers who silently watched me leave. It was easy to note the ones who were missing. While the ones who remained stared at me accusingly, I reached down to rub at my wrists where the ropes had once bound them.
“. . . this was an engaging and fascinating read that consumed my YA fantasy-loving heart. This book is great for lovers of magic, YA fantasy and adventure, and fairytale retellings. I would definitely love to meet these characters again in future books.”
“. . . the blend of folklore with fiction, all while giving the feel of a magical history that our records forgot. On that front, I think this book excelled. This was a world I wanted to explore further, beyond Katya’s story. . .”
“I was absolutely captivated. Jessica Leake is such a wonderful storyteller and once again, she brings to life a magical world inspired by Russian mythology. . . . Through the White Wood was a breathtaking, mesmerizing and sometimes gut wrenching adventure. There were so many great characters, some twists and we even got to see our favorites, Ciara and Leif, from Beyond a Darkened Shore. I really hope that we get more stories in this world. I definitely recommend reading anything Jessica Leake writes at this point.”
After the horror of what had happened in the village, it was almost difficult to be afraid of what awaited me with the prince. Almost, but not quite. Rumors hammered at my thoughts as the sleigh traveled farther and farther into the deep woods that surrounded my home.
People disappearing into his castle, never to return. People with abilities beyond human limits. People like me.
Worse still was the knowledge that I went to him having committed crimes whose punishment was death.
“Through the White Wood is a thrilling young adult historical fantasy that will have readers begging for more. Although it’s technically the second in the series, you can read this without reading the first book without any problems or confusion. I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in, but at the end it exceeded anything I could’ve hoped for.”
We traveled ever farther into the woods, the trees towering above us, snow clinging to their piney branches. I watched animals flee from the oncoming sleigh—birds flitting from tree to tree, squirrels chattering reproachfully, even a fox and hare interrupted from a deadly chase.
I imagined myself jumping down into the snow and escaping into those woods, and I went so far as to shift closer to the edge of my seat. I glanced down at the ground, moving so quickly beneath us. I could jump now, but would I manage to stay on my feet? If I stumbled, I risked serious injury. Still, wouldn’t it be worth it to try rather than be brought before the prince like a lamb to slaughter?
I moved still closer to the edge, gathering my skirt in one hand. I glanced at Ivan, but he continued to face forward.
“Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake is the brilliantly told story of Katya and Sasha, an orphaned village girl and a prince. . . . after reading this book I can say I am absolutely adding her to my auto-buy author’s list. The author writes very vivid and beautiful stories with such amazing characters and worlds that it’s impossible to not fall in love.”
Through the White Wood
Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 416 Pages
April 9th 2019 by HarperTeen
The Bear and the Nightingale meets Frostblood in this romantic historical fantasy from the author of Beyond a Darkened Shore.
When Katya loses control of her power to freeze, her villagers banish her to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev.
Expecting punishment, she is surprised to find instead that Sasha is just like her—with the ability to summon fire. Sasha offers Katya friendship and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.
But outside the walls of Kiev, Sasha’s enemies are organizing an army of people bent on taking over the entire world.
Together, Katya’s and Sasha’s powers are a fearsome weapon. But as their enemies draw nearer, will fire and frost be enough to save the world? Or will Katya and Sasha lose everything they hold dear?
Inspired by Russian mythology, this lushly romantic, intensely imaginative, and fiercely dramatic story is about learning to fight for yourself, even when the world is falling down around you.
Other Books in the Series
Beyond a Darkened ShoreYoung Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 384 Pages
April 10th 2018 by HarperTeen
The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.
The people of Mide have always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn but the entire world.
Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle, the two might have a chance to save their world.
With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.
Praise for the Book
“Beyond a Darkened Shore is thrilling and romantic. This is a must-read for lovers of fantasy, mythology, and folklore.” – Kody Keplinger, New York Times bestselling author of The DUFF and Run
“With undead armies, flesh-eating spirit horses, and a powerful heroine, fantasy, romance, and historical-fiction readers will have a great time.” – Booklist
“While Morrigan and Odin are terrifying, raven-haired Ciara is the star. Beautiful, strong, and independent, she is the perfect warrior princess. Epic historical fantasy filled with deadly creatures, simmering romance, and nonstop action.” – Kirkus Reviews
Jessica Leake is the author of Beyond a Darkened Shore as well as the adult novels Arcana and The Order of the Eternal Sun. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, four young children, lots of chickens, and two dogs who keep everyone in line. Visit her at www.jessicaleake.com.
2 winners will receive a copy of Through the White Wood (US only)
1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
Ends April 17th
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Facebook: http://facebook.com/kandijwyatt/
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Welcome back to the Cade-Loveland extended family! Their 100+ year-old feud is finally over, the water rights dispute settled, and now they can live peacefully, right? Oh… if only it were that simple… Lots of drama still ahead for these strong, faithful and hardworking ranchers in the sixth book of my Rocky Mountain Cowboys series, a raw, complicated second chance love story with a dramatic plot twist you won’t forget!
“A Rancher to Remember by Karen Rock is a great book to get sucked into. Cassidy and Daryl have a great love story, one that can bring a person to tears. I am giving this book a five-star rating and recommending it to everyone that reads clean romances. I adored this story.”
“A Rancher to Remember boasts bursts of white-knuckle action, two hurting kids, and a potential second-chance romance soaked in grief and regrets. . . . If you enjoy steamy kisses, good folks, and healthy doses of conflict (and reconciliation) in your stories, A Rancher to Remember fits the bill! There’s never a dull moment with the Cade and Loveland crew and this is yet another entertaining addition to this series.”
Why had she come back to Carbondale?
It was a mystery Cassidy desperately wished to solve, not just for herself but for a grieving Daryl. She wanted to help her sister’s family pick up the pieces—an altruistic wish, nothing more. So why did her eyes follow handsome Daryl, then? “I know what a big heart your mama had.” Cassidy rubbed Emma’s arm. “How could she help but love you?”
Cassidy had come to love them as her own these past few weeks.
“Oh, I just love this series! . . . Daryl and Cassidy seemed so perfect for each other in some ways, yet polar opposites in others. I truly wasn’t sure how the author was going to pull this happily-ever-after off, but she did! I enjoyed reading this story from the first page to the last!”
“A Rancher to Remember was a heartbreaking read of love lost and found and of letting go even when it is too soon. . . . This story brings out a lot of emotions and it really digs deep to bring out the hopefulness and longing of what good could come out of this tragic outcome for this family. You might just want to have a few tissues ready.”
“I love how there are moments when each of the main characters react with extreme anger because that is how grief works. It doesn’t matter who you’re mad at; you’re just mad because the loss you experienced isn’t fair. Grief is hard work, and I think the author does a great job of showing us just how real these characters’ emotions are. The way that the story plays out is very believable as is the romance between the main characters. I really think you will love this book as well as the others in the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series.”
Daryl grinned and extended a hand to Cassidy. “Shall we?”
“I guess we must,” she said breathlessly as he swept her into his arms and slowly danced her around the crowded floor.
She smelled so good. He closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet scent rising from her neck. The way her small hand wrapped around his, the other resting on his shoulder, stirred his blood. His heart lifted. His spirit soared.
Euphoria.
“With her Rocky Mountain Cowboys series, Karen Rock has become one of my favorite authors in the Harlequin Heartwarming line of clean romances. . . . The characters and back stories of these two families are intricately woven and their “happily ever afters” are not easily won. Aside from the obvious cowboy attraction, what I like most is their humanness – weakness, pride, and misunderstandings, tempered with caring, sacrifice, kindness and love. . . . I recommend A Rancher to Remember, as well as the whole series, to all who enjoy a clean romance with character depth.”
“The reader is immediately swept up into Karen Rock’s romance, A Rancher to Remember, as Cassidy Fulton risks her life to expose corruption in the Philippines, and the intrigue continues as she struggles to attain the missing sections of her memory after returning to her hometown of Carbondale, Colorado.”
“Whenever I am re-visiting either the Cade’s or the Loveland’s, it doesn’t take long to notice how well-versed Ms Rock has become in writing these stories! Each new installment is an extension of the whole series. . . . This time round, I thought it was fitting we were swinging by the Loveland ranch. . . you might need to brace yourself to transition through a new set of adversities or incidents that might push your beloved characters to the edge of what they can personally handle. All with the joy of knowing that in the end, Rock will give her characters a fitting sense of resolution and will give us, the reader, a wicked good read!”
“A Rancher to Remember has everything you want and expect from a second chance romance. There’s grief, pain, restoration, romance (of course), kissing (swoon), and so much more. Both Cassidy and Daryl certainly have their flaws, but to be honest that just makes the story even better.”
“An emotional journey of forgiveness and redemption! With her signature way of wrapping a group of characters around our heart, Karen Rock brings us the next book in her Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. . . . Loved the raw emotions brought to the surface with this cast of characters!”
“I lovey lovey love this series! . . . It was a roller coaster of emotions and wow, did things end in a dramatic way! This book and it’s characters were completely different than any of the other books. It felt fresh and exciting. I loved it!”
“I really enjoyed the book. . . . I have enjoyed all the books in the series. I look forward to reading the next book. . .”
A couple of hours later, after finishing their witness statements, Daryl and Cassidy strode from the sheriff’s office.
“Thank you, Daryl,” she said once they hopped in his truck. “You saved my life.”
He cupped the side of her face, leaned close and brushed her lips with a heart-stopping kiss so brief she could have imagined it. Dreamed it. Maybe she had. If so, she didn’t want to wake from this adrenaline-fueled moment. Or lose it.
“This story had great characters (Cades and Loveland families), clean romance, funny, and some sad tragic life events that the characters had to work thru with faith and diligence.
I highly recommend this book and hope to read more from this series and author.”
“This book was truly heartwarming as we follow the two main characters as they work through their own issues individually and together. Noah and Emma (Daryl and Leanne’s kids) were just precious and the icing on the cake- there were so many adorable and lovely scenes with the two of them. I love the personal and romantic journeys in this book and highly recommend as a story of beautiful second-chance romance.”
“Y’all, Rock blew me away with this book. . . . A Rancher to Remember surprised me in the best kind of way with Rock’s ability to deliver solid stories with tough issues, family ties that are almost unbreakable, and lots of heated kisses for the romantic in her readers.”
“A Rancher to Remember is a story full of heart. Family, betrayal, second chances… It’s got a few surprises and plenty of great moments, and I enjoyed it all. “
“. . . this one does not disappoint. I loved Daryl and Cassidy’s story. I thought they were so sweet and fun together. I found their chemistry was undeniable. I had no problem to stay focused on the book and keep reading. I had it read from cover to cover in one day. . . . Great book!”
A Rancher to RememberBy Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
April 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming
They can’t change the past…
but they can choose their future
Globe-trotting journalist Cassidy Fulton is back in Carbondale, Colorado. Only she can’t remember why—or the accident that killed her estranged sister. Helping her piece together this mystery is her brother-in-law and former fiancé, Daryl Loveland. Overcoming their grief seems impossible. Yet one thing is clear: Cassidy can’t imagine her life without Daryl or her adorable niece and nephew. But can the ranch ever really be her home?
Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes sexy suspense novels and small-town romances for Harlequin and Kensington publishing. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5.
– 1 winner will receive signed, print copies of the first five books in the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series (Christmas at Cade Ranch, Falling for a Cowboy, Bad Boy Rancher, A Cowboy’s Pride & Winning the Cowboy’s Heart) – US Only
– Ends April 10, 2019