The Chronicles of Morvantia: The Veils of Valoria Book One Book Tour

Cover Blurb

Finn is one of the most talented Trackers in Valoria, but haunted by a mysterious woman and with his world threatened and at risk of destruction, his latest quest may be his greatest challenge yet.

Under the ever-watchful eye of the notorious Council, Finn is cast through a portal into a strange world where the Tracker soon becomes the hunted, as an evil presence bays for his blood. With time against him and his enemy closing in, Finn must fulfil an ancient prophecy or all will be lost.

A man from a world of powerful magic and a woman from Earth – where magic is not as far away as you might think – are destined to be together and take on the dark forces that threaten to destroy everything they know.

 

 

Other Titles By the Author

Kirsty F. McKay

Author Bio

My love of creative writing has always been a part of me from the tender age of 5 years old. A naturally gifted child with a vivid and overactive imagination, my gift of creativity and storytelling was encouraged and nurtured by my English teachers at school and my family growing up. They all believed that one day I would become a successful published author, especially my Grandparents who asked me to dedicate my first book to them, a promise which I am so pleased to have fulfilled.

My Mum, who is also a gifted writer herself (although she no longer writes now) was and continues to be a prolific reader and she supported my dream and passion. Whilst some children enjoyed playing outside with their friends or going shopping, Mum would take me to the local library every Saturday so I could choose and take out as many books as possible to read and escape into. Losing myself in the incredible stories created was my happy place, and a way to forget some of the difficult experiences life had thrown my way as a child. Sadly those difficult experiences continued into adulthood, and my writing was placed on the back burner. I know that writers can procrastinate about why they don't have time to write but believe me when I say my life's journey did not allow the time or creativity to flow. Instead I carried around a gnawing ache in my soul, knowing that I was not achieving my purpose.

Although I have experienced true happiness, marrying my soul mate Niall, and the birth of my three children, Alex, Jacob and Bronwyn, my path still left little room for my writing. Raising a family and trying to ensure financial stability we all know is not easy and so I have had a wide breadth of careers that whilst didn't allow me to pursue my passion, gave me some interesting life experiences I could draw upon. I continued on with my reading and escapism, but neglected my writing and this continued into my 40's, until I finally joined a writing group in Guisborough. They supported me, offered encouragement & motivation and the dream became a reality when I published, 'The Veils of Valoria' in 2019.

I cried when I held my book for the first time and I was so happy, thinking this was it. I'd finally made it. But I never anticipated how hard the next steps would be, and I was not alone, many other writers felt the same. Now that I had achieved the dream I was determined that nothing would stand in my way again, and after a bitterly disappointing exchange with a B0ok Shop I decided to bring mine and my husbands retirement plans forward. With the support of my amazing family, my Dad in particular, the Book Dragon was brought to life and opened its doors on 4th July 2022.

Now I am managing my health issues around a Business I love, supporting many other wonderful authors. I do tend to forget that I am a writer myself and so I have to keep reminding myself to take the time to focus on my work too. This year I plan to release my second book 'The Guardian's of Valoria,' and a surprise special edition!

 

 

 

 

 

The Book Tour

Day 1 - Favourite Quotes

One of the men shoved Kane forward, almost tripping him. Kane studied the man’s appearance, noting the strange metalwork that buried into his skin. So, this parasite can tolerate pain, can he? Well, I shall certainly look forward to testing that. (Eryn McConnell)
“You need to trust your feelings. You know the truth.” (Michelle Marshall)
“They knew nothing of the human girl, only the world from which she came and the foretelling of a Tracker, who would show her the way. The Tracker would be born in Valoria, and he would be the protector of the keys.” (Sophie Jupillat Posey)
‘A chill hung in the night air, but at least for the present moment, all remained calm.’ (Yvonne Marrs)
“Oh, and to spell it out again for you. My name is Rowan, not Rowena, not Rachel, but Rowan. R O W A N.” (Tim Marshall)

Day 2 - Character Summaries

Kane: I really like Kane. I like a good bad guy, especially one that COULD have some kind of redemption arc to him. He’s a bit of a swaggerer, he’s caught between two Masters, both of whom are using him. There’s backstory there, which is hinted at but not overloading us with. (Eryn McConnell)


It’s hard not to feel a fondness for Rowan, a typical Teesside girl with a warm heart and good intentions. Despite her incredible gifts, she comes across as a realistic and believable character, who reminded me of several people I know. She’s suffered trauma in her life but it hasn’t stopped her from having hope and being open to the possibility of love and passion. Her relationship with Finn, though not without difficulties, is written with tenderness and I wanted things to work out between them, despite his often immature behaviour. (Michelle Marshall)


Finn: My favourite character was Finn. I know that technically the story is about Rowan and her arc, but he is her Tracker and protector, and we get lovely insights into his character and motivations for doing what he does. We start off the book with his point of view and the danger that follows him. We immediately get the stakes of this story. It is interesting seeing him described through Rowan’s eyes as dreamy and loving, but of course we get the full picture of his caring, protective nature in his chapters. He is definitely a good guy, but he is not perfect, which makes him relatable. He is prone to hiding his negative emotions, he has a jealous streak and he can be a bit reckless. Yet, he is pure enough to be accepted by the Meridian. It hurt seeing him struggle with past trauma and trying to help Rowan despite his problems. Yet, he persevered, and has kept Rowan safe the whole time. That made him quite likable. The family situation he has is complex, and related in an authentic way. It was empowering to see him take up his new powers, and I can’t wait to see how he uses them and develops them in the sequel. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)


Finn: Finn is the main character, with Rowan as the next important character, although there are many who the reader could fall in love with. We can even feel empathy for the bag guy, Kane, in this book. (A little!) As we are taken back into Finn’s painful past, we are given a glimpse of the strong, brave Tracker’s more fragile nature - proving that he is human like the rest of us. (But he is from a magical world.) Due to the nature of the tale, we associate more with Rowan’s emotions - on their adventure, Finn is her protector and she has to trust in what she is told in order to fulfil the prophecy, but… Finn’s character develops more than Rowan’s, so I’d imagine that most readers will connect with him the most. Excellent character writing! (Yvonne Marrs)


Kane: I felt that the most interesting and complex character, for me, was Kane.  As a cruel villain, but caught between the machinations of more powerful antagonists, he does the heavy lifting when it comes to creating dread and threatening the protagonists, but also provides a foil to those he serves, playing a victim to them as well. (Tim Marshall)


Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts

A thought suddenly occurred, and without warning, she erupted into laughter. “I fail to see what’s so funny,” Finn huffed. Rowan wiped the tears away and attempted composure. She failed miserably, unable to keep a straight face. Here I am completely stressing how to explain who Charles is, and to a man who technically doesn’t exist in this world either. A man who stepped out of my dream. It makes perfect sense! “This isn’t a joke. I left my world for you,” Finn said angrily. (Eryn McConnell)

Finn held his arms in front of him. The same ribbons of silver light he had witnessed earlier now danced playfully through his fingers. He turned and laughed at Rowan spinning in circles, sparks of silver shooting from her feet as she danced on the ground.  “This is amazing.” (Michelle Marshall)


“And she hasn’t because she knows you’re a good man. She chose you for your strength and your kindness. There is no way she would have protected you if she didn’t feel that you were worthy.” (Sophie Jupillat Posey)


Tears glistened in Mercadia’s eyes. It was the first time Finn had seen her look so vulnerable. “Yes,” she said quietly. “You let him go?” “I couldn’t do it,” she said miserably. “I had hoped instead to reach him and bring him back before it was too late. I thought his love for me was strong enough.” Finn observed the regret in her eyes. “You know that Drey’s soul is lost, don’t you? He killed innocent people.” “I know that, now. I should have destroyed him when I had the chance.” The guilt was evident in Mercadia’s eyes.  (Yvonne Marrs)


“Is everyone here alright?” Finn asked with genuine concern. “We’re all fine. Have just settled the Mrs down with a cup of tea. She spent the last hour hiding under the stair cupboard. Inherited that from the Dragon,” he tittered. “Dragon?” A slight surge of panic rose. The Council had made no mention of any dragons coming through the portal. “Aye, and that’s a polite name for her.” A female voice shouted, “I heard that, Patrick!” (Tim Marshall)


Day 4 - Video Interview

Day 5 - Reviews

Overall rating: 4.5 stars. One of my favourite genres of books is when a real, modern-day setting is depicted with other elements going on beneath the surface. In The Veils of Valoria it feels extra special, given that a lot of the action takes place in my beloved Teesside. Reading about Middlesbrough and Guisborough (complete with bonus supernatural activity) was a fantastic treat. I loved the fact I could visualise some of the places the characters visited. There’s even an appearance by our local specialty, a parmo! The fantasy elements are thorough and well thought out and the writer has obviously taken time to establish the lore and legend of her creation before embarking on the novel. This gives an air of confidence to the writing, helping the reader feel like they are in safe hands with the storytelling. (Michelle Marshall)


Overall rating: 4.5 stars. The beginning starts very late into the story, with a lot of information that we don’t entirely understand. Who are the Fallen? Why is this guy here? It does start to iron itself out but I imagine that first chapter is going to get some readers thinking they picked up a Book 2, not a Book 1. The premise is imaginative, with ghost guardians, a normal heroine who dreams of the otherworld hero, and then all the characters in the background who are driving the story. I particularly appreciated the good villain, Kane. The romance was a smidge too much for me, a little too Insta-love, but I am fairly romance averse so take my curmudgeonliness with a pinch of salt.
This is a well-paced, imaginative, action packed fantasy. (Eryn McConnell)


 gripping book that starts from the get go with an intense character and as equally intense villains. We meet Finn, a talented Tracker trying desperately to save and protect Rowan, a human woman who doesn’t know the power she has.

The characters are well-described and their motivations fleshed out organically throughout the story. Finn and Rowan’s story and relationship shines strongly and while it initially seems like insta-love, especially from Rowan’s part, their interactions and dialogue with each other give solid proof that their destinies are meant to be entwined on a magical and spiritual level.

Overall rating: 4.5 stars. There is a whole cast of villains, but we mostly follow Kane, 2nd in Command to the dreaded Master. The Master seems a bit cartoonish every now and then, or we don’t really get why he acts the way he does; but Kane is fully developed, and he is all the more creepy because he is a broken character who’s been through betrayal and injustice many times and is willing to do whatever it takes to become more powerful. The other characters feel well-fleshed out, Bessie and Biscuit were adorable, Mercadia is annoying but good-hearted, Charles is a delight. It’s hard to avoid fantasy tropes, and here we have a prophecy, a couple meant to save the world, and evil minions after them. Yet, the author navigates these tropes with a fresh touch; the magical system and world building was well planned and felt grounded. The scenes all flow well; never once was I bored. The pacing was just right; the alternate chapters from Kane, Rowan and Finn felt right and suited the plot. I can’t wait for the sequel to come out, as that ending was a definite cliff hanger! (Sophie Jupillat Posey)


Overall rating: 4.5 stars. Haunted by a mystery woman, and with his own magical world of Valoria threatened by destruction at the hand of Evil forces, Tracker Finn's latest challenge could be his greatest yet. Under the watch of the notorious Council, Finn is sent through a portal to another world in order to fulfil an ancient prophecy - or all will be lost. He is destined to take on the dark forces with the mystery woman by his side. Magical and powerful, McKay has created a new world for her characters. Her writing will draw you in on their adventure as you journey through the book. I'd have no problem recommending this to anyone, even if the genre wasn't their favourite. (Yvonne Marrs)


Overall rating: 4.5 stars. An imaginative tale set in a recognizable northeastern England, the Veils of Valoria features an interesting premise – wherein the heroine meets the literal man of her dreams - and a memorable villain.  The narrative woven together is complex, but grounded in scenes that will feel familiar to those who’ve lived in the North. (Tim Marshall)


Book Tour Reviewers

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