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Tattoo of Crimson by Sarah Chislon
(Blood of the Fae, #1)
Publication date: January 17th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mystery
Society, suitors, and…serial murders?
As much as she desires to please her family, gently-bred herbalist Jessa Caldwell has no intention of making a suitable match—not when she’s seeking the truth about the taint of the fae that lies within her. If she’s to escape the madness brought on by fae-touch, she must devote her energies to seeking a cure.
But then mysterious tattoos begin to appear on the citizens of Avons. None recall receiving these harbingers of death, but all die at the hand of an untraceable killer days or weeks after being marked.
When the tattoo appears on her beloved mentor, Jessa seeks the Magistry with information on the case—yet they refuse to consider her findings, so she must risk both social censure and her own safety to hunt for the killer herself.
Her one possible ally represents her greatest fear—the encroaching Otherworld consuming her mind—and may well undo all her efforts to control her fae-touch. Yet if she forsakes the offered aid, the killer will go free.
Something sinister stalks the streets of her city, and she must decide…how far will she go to stop the killing?
Tattoo of Crimson, a gaslamp fantasy novel, is the first book in the Blood of the Fae series. If you like quick-minded heroines who solve cases with logic and intuition, beautiful yet deadly fae, and Otherworldly intrigues, then you’ll love this mystery set in a world of manners and mythical monsters.
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~Excerpt~
As I worked, a low keening sound emanated from the forest. A prickle started at the base of my spine and worked its way up toward my neck. When I lifted my head to seek the source of the moan, a fluttering of palest gray caught my eye, shimmering between the evergreen hemlock boughs deeper in the forest. A bird, perhaps?
Jade stalked forward, her green eyes glinting in the sunlight, her pupils narrowed.
The flutter of gray broke through the branches again, still nebulous, but far too large to be a bird of any sort. The prickle strengthened. I fumbled in my reticule for the small penknife I used to sharpen my sketching pencils, though it would do little against an Otherworldly intruder. Then I edged closer to the forest.
Ada called out, “Where are you going, Jessa?”
“I think I see something in the woods.” And I wasn’t about to allow it near my sisters.
“Whatever it is, you should stay out of the forest—it’s beyond the bounds of Enderly.” A note of urgency threaded Ainslie’s voice. “Oh Ives, fetch her back.”
“There’s no need,” I called over my shoulder. If this were a spectre, and I displayed fear by turning and fleeing toward safety, it might well materialize in full and take up the pursuit, endangering my sisters. I’d driven away the sprites in Milburn; surely I could find a way to keep a spectre from my sisters within the far-more-civilized bounds of Avons. I must show it I did not fear, then perhaps it would leave us alone.
I unfolded the penknife to expose the blade and strained to perceive what lurked within the depths of the forest without freeing the sensations born of my fae-touch. It might allow me to discern more, but at what cost? I’d scarcely maintained control after I allowed it liberty in Milburn.
I couldn’t risk it again.
So I must rely on whatever information my mortal senses could provide. I stepped nearer once more. The mists swirling around the trees—mists which had not existed moments before—obscured my vision. Through the wafting white, a shape of darkening gray coalesced, closer now.
The form moved with a peculiar gait, flicking between trees, in and out of view, growing darker as it approached. Like the mournful call of a dusk-owl, a desolate, aching cry ripped from its throat.
I closed my eyes and inhaled the fragrance of the goldhearts. Their white-and-gold joy blazed through me, strengthening my resolve. If I truly witnessed a spectre, and not merely a young blade intending to play a prank on those who sought a thrill, I’d not permit it the chance to prey on my sisters.
When I allowed my eyes to open, the mist-shrouded form appeared between the boles of two tremendous elms, only a few ells away, close enough to reveal a splash of crimson amid the shades of smoke and ash—and to intensify the sensation of Other prickling down my spine.
No doubt remained.
A bitter chill stole through my limbs, and I wrapped my arms around myself. I’d spent my entire life working to exert control over my emotions, and I refused to fail now. I would not fear, would not strengthen this apparition. But how might I repel it? Could it be as simple as rejecting any claim it might have over my emotions? Fae often sought to entertain themselves at mortal expense, and if I offered no such promise…
“I’m not afraid of you.” I lifted my blade, and the wind carried my words into the woods. “It’s time you were gone.”
~Author Bio~
Sarah Chislon lives in Virginia with her husband and three daughters. When she’s not writing, she’s homeschooling her children and running a web development business with her husband. As an avid reader and a lifelong story-weaver, she delights in creating fantastic worlds and exploring them alongside her characters.
To find out more about her, visit sarahchislon.com.
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~Giveaway~
Tour-wide giveaway (INT)
$25 Amazon gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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So Many Books, So Little Time 
SOUNDS ADVENTUROUS! GREAT REVIEW!!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Reblogged this on ShadowsOfABookLover.
I love the sound of this!
I’ve beeen waiting for this post!! This sounds soo good