Today I have the honour of being part of a blog tour for a stunning new novel about to be released to the world! The Story Peddler is Lindsay Franklin’s debut speculative fiction novel and can I just have a moment to fangirl here?

The title is so cool. The cover is so cool. And oh. my. word. the book is amazing. 😯

In anticipation of this gorgeous book’s release on the 1st of May, I have this entire blog post dedicated to me getting all hyped over this story. Because that’s what I do best. 😛

The Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at LindsayAFranklin.

The Book

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down…and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers…and they’re after her too.

– Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Book Depository –

The Review

Five Stars—

The Story Peddler is a captivating tale of adventures, rebels, treason, and forbidden stories. Even the concept of story weaving intrigued me from the start, and the beautiful cover gave me high hopes for this book. Those expectations weren’t let down even a notch.

The characters are all so unique and practically bursting from the page with the stunning realness to each and every one of them. Not only were the main and secondary characters realistic, but even the random characters who had one scene and never came in again were amazingly real. Every person who appeared on the page had a life and a personality—but at the same time, it wasn’t overdone.

There was also a bit of a love triangle, but it turned out in a completely unexpected way by the end and it was actually quite refreshing to have a twist on the normal cliches.

There’s a deep heartache that flows through the characters—making them so relatable and engaging, and pulling the reader into their lives. I couldn’t not like the main characters even if I tried. I connected so deeply with Tanwen and all the rest too, in different ways.

Character development and theme have been woven artfully through this book so it’s inseparable from the plot and the action of the novel. Every page in this story is raising the stakes and drawing in more suspense. 

I really enjoyed the style of writing. Tanwen’s voice comes through the prose so perfectly in a way that shows her style and feel, but without making it jerky or unnatural for the reader.

The Story Peddler is actually the first book in a trilogy, and the ending leads into the next book perfectly. It’s not cut off in the middle of action, and it does resolve most of the core goal, but it leaves plenty of intriguing ground for the rest of the series. The very last page threw a huge twist in my face, and left me hanging for answers. (I guess I’ll be hanging for a year or so while I wait for the next book to release 😛 )

If I had to sum it up in one word, this story is vibrant. Definitely a book I recommend to all speculative fiction readers.

Other Fun Blog-Tour Things

Below I have a schedule for the other stops in the blog tour, so you can stalk the author interviews and other reviews to catch all the excitement. We also have a giveaway(!!) and a facebook party so keep scrolling for those. (Fellow international bookworms, I’M SO SORRY. It’s a U.S. only giveaway. *consoles everyone with pizza*)

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 24^th

• Book Spotlight – Tabitha Caplinger
• Review – Jane Maree Author
• Review – Kaiser Writes-A-Blog

Wednesday, April 25^th

• Interview – Quills and Inkblotts
• Interview – H.L. Burke Author

Thursday, April 26^th

• Review & Interview – Reality Reflected
• Review – Lands Uncharted
• Review – Scriblerians

Friday, April 27^th

• Review – Ralene Burke
• Book Spotlight – Morgan L. Busse, Author

Saturday, April 28^th

• Interview – Liv K. Fisher
• Review – C O Bonham
• Visual Post – Jebraun Clifford
• Review – Pages and Pekoe

Monday, April 30^th

• Book Spotlight – New Authors Fellowship
• Interview – Unicorn Quester
• Interview – Singh with Books

Tuesday, May 1^st

• Review – i am not a bookworm!
• Review –Worthy2Read
• Review – Lori’s Book Loft
• The Story Peddler and Unbreakable Facebook Launch Party

Wednesday, May 2^nd

• Blog Tour Wrap-Up –Unicorn Quester

Giveaway!

As I said, this is a U.S. only giveaway, but I’m still pumped for this because the prize is so epic. Scurry and enter for a chance to win a signed print copy of The Story Peddler, a blue strand book sleeve, custom Story Peddler bookmark, a fluffhopper sticker, and a set of five mini Story Peddler art prints!

All U.S. residents can jump right on over the link below to enter.

– GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM –

Facebook Party!!!

For those of you (like me) who don’t live in the U.S.—have no fear! Facebook parties are for one and all and it doesn’t matter what country you’re in, as long as you have a Facebook account and access to the internet.

The party starts on Tuesday night at 8pm EST (Wednesday 10am AEST) and it’s not just celebrating The Story Peddler‘s release, but also Unbreakable so it’s double the epic. It’s a win-win. You can’t turn this down. 😉

Check out the event HERE.

That’s it from me, but don’t forget to check out some of those links, and you can stalk the other blogs and websites for the reviews and interviews!

Let’s chat! Will I see you at the Facebook party? What’s the best book you’ve read this year? What book are you most excited for the release of?