Archive for April, 2014

A utopian colony? Our Dried Voices by Greg Hickey ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: April 26, 2014 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, otherworldly, Science Fiction
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I have to say I’m as curious about the author as I am about this book.

I’m sure I’ll get to know a bit about him when the Our Dried Voices is released.

So, what do ya think of the cover art? Eerie? Intriguing? Mystical? Let me know!!

And don’t forget to enter the fun giveaway!

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Title: Our Dried Voices
Author: Greg Hickey
Genre: Science Fiction
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In 2153, cancer was cured. In 2189, AIDS. And in 2235, the last members of the human race traveled to a far distant planet called Pearl to begin the next chapter of humanity.

Several hundred years after their arrival, the remainder of humans live in a utopian colony in which every need is satisfied automatically, and there is no need for human labor, struggle or thought. But when the machines that regulate the colony begin to malfunction, the colonists are faced with a test for the first time in their existence.

With the lives of the colonists at stake, it is left to a young man named Samuel to repair these breakdowns and save the colony. Aided by his friend Penny, Samuel rises to meet each challenge. But he soon discovers a mysterious group of people behind each of these problems, and he must somehow find and defeat these saboteurs in order to rescue his colony.

~~~

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Our Dried Voices original artwork

Our Dried Voices Book Mark

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It’s a mad, mad, mad world ~ Seventeen by Mark D. Diehl ~ My Review and a giveaway

Posted: April 25, 2014 in Blog Tour, Dystopian, giveaways, otherworldly, reviews, Series
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I had to be a part of this book tour.

Can you imagine it? Federal Angels?

Looks like Mark Diehl is bringing something different to the table.

I had to read XVII and find out.

What’s even better. This is book one in a series!

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SEVENTEEN

By

Mark Diehl

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MY REVIEW

Just imagine almost the entire world’s population of 17 billion is asleep, being used like battery powered brains.

There are no sustainable food crops and the big wigs control everything. All you have to do is give yourself, all of yourself, over to the oppressors and all of your needs will be provided.

With food shortages and power hungry officials running the show, you can bet there will be a rebellion. And a young waitress, Eadie, is prophesied to lead it. She’ll be going up against a huge corporation with lethal Federal Angels they use to keep people in line. She’s only nineteen and has no clue what’s coming for her. Especially after she has to kill in self-defense and now she’s a wanted fugitive.

This was a wild read. I can’t even think about how to tell you about it. I’m going to try though.

The story is related to you from multiple points of view. I never felt one character was more central than another, which was good as many died.

The dystopian world the author built is in the future, and it could almost be real. Don’t we all fear big brother and their spies? Imagine giving over your brain, your thoughts, to your employer. Who knows what the implants are putting into your head, and what they are taking out of it.

But if you choose to live in the Zone as an ordinary citizen, you can barely get by. Caught between a rock and a hard place for sure.

Once I became familiar with the characters the pace picked up and I became immersed in the story. It’s not pretty. In fact, it’s brutal and hard to swallow at times. I still can’t get my head around a corporation as God and worshipping them as such. That’s just insane.

I’m not sure these really apply, but the movies Soylent Green and The Matrix came to mind as I read this book.

There are a few things I’d love to mention but I don’t do spoilers. What I can tell you is lots of people die in the frenzied ending. No happily ever after here, but an excellent finale, until the next book.

4 STARS

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BLURB 

Most of the world’s seventeen billion people are unconscious, perpetually serving their employers as part of massive brain trusts. The ecosystem has collapsed, and corporations control all of the world’s resources and governments. A bedraggled alcoholic known as the Prophet predicts nineteen year-old waitress Eadie will lead a revolution, but how can she prevail when hunted by a giant corporation and the Federal Angels it directs?

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EXCERPT

The mist was clearing. Brian found himself standing in the street outside the bar he had entered earlier. Half a dozen battered and bleeding men stood surrounding him, and at least as many more lay on the gravel, seriously wounded or out cold.

The attack had come from somewhere in the mist, from all directions at once. His head and torso ached and throbbed. He locked his shaking knees to keep them from buckling. Every muscle in his body seemed to be lengthening, pouring downward like water. His eyelids drooped.

One of the standing men took a step toward him, fists raised. Brian tried to turn away from him, his arm flopping behind his back like a fish.

Behind his back! His eyes opened a little wider. He straightened and forced his arm to function, whipping out his revolver and aiming it around at the circle of attackers.

He tried to pull back the hammer but too many of his knuckles were broken. He ended up simply pointing it at the closest one, who backed away cautiously. Once past him, Brian walked backwards, still aiming the gun as long as he could see them. Then he turned, moving as fast as he could manage, back toward Dok’s place.

*****

Mark D. Diehl

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Mark D. Diehl writes novels about power dynamics and the way people and organizations influence each other. He believes that obedience and conformity are becoming humanity’s most important survival skills, and that we are thus evolving into a corporate species.

Diehl has: been homeless in Japan, practiced law with a major multinational firm in Chicago, studied in Singapore, fled South Korea as a fugitive, and been stranded in Hong Kong.

After spending most of his youth running around with hoods and thugs, he eventually earned his doctorate in law at the University of Iowa and did graduate work in creative writing at the University of Chicago. He currently lives and writes in Cape   Elizabeth, Maine.

Author’s Website

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$25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

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Follow the tour for more fun posts and remember to comment. The more you comment the more chances to win!

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Magic, Murder, Menehunes, and Mermaids ~ The Elemental Detective ~ My Review

Posted: April 25, 2014 in Magic, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series
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I just reviewed The Infernal Detective: Book Four and The Metaphysical Detective: Book One this week.

Now I’m reviewing The Elemental Detective: Book Five in the Riga Hayworth Series by Kirsten Weiss.

Go HERE to enter the giveaway and read my other reviews!

THE ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 5

Published by: Misterio Press

December 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

Word Count: 70,647

BUY LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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My Review

I had a lot of fun learning about Hawaiian magic and menehunes. Never heard of them before.

What should have been a wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii for Donovan and Riga, one long overdue, turns into a murder mystery when they come upon a murdered seal and a murdered man lying side by side on the beach.

Riga notices the magic symbols etched in the sand and jumps into the case. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

Riga and Donovan are the perfect couple. They both have magical capabilities and both like a good mystery. They compliment each other at work and in love. I loved following their romance from first meeting all the way through their honeymoon.

The author really did her research, bringing Hawaiian myths to the story and describing the lush scenery in vivid color.

Once the story gets rolling, the danger rushes in and the suspects emerge. I really wasn’t sure who was behind the murders and whether it was caused by human hands or magical. Finding out what was behind it was an even bigger mystery.

It’s been such fun following this series, seeing how the characters grow with each lesson life served up. I hope there will be more. It’s hard to let go of characters I’ve grown to love.

5 STARS

~~~

Some quotes I enjoyed.

“This is a terrible place for an investigation,” she said, exasperated. “It’s too beautiful. It’s making us lazy.”

Energy flowed through her, cool and dark, hot and light, there yet not there. She let it fill and empty her, and focused on what she needed: like calling to like. Necromancy to necromancy. Blood to blood.

~~~

Synopsis

 

Mermaids, menehunes, and murder.

Riga Hayworth just wants to relax with her new husband on their Hawaiian honeymoon. But a body on a Kauai beach pulls them into a murder investigation, sending the supernatural world into an uproar.

 

When Riga detects traces of magic at a murder scene, she knows she can’t ignore the call. There’s necromancy afoot, and she must prepare for the battle to come. But can Riga fight the forces of nature? Or will they destroy her and everyone she loves?

 

Book five in the Riga Hayworth series of paranormal mystery novels, The Elemental Detective is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy blending romance with the supernatural, and exploring the magic of Hawaii.

 

About Kirsten Weiss

Kirsten Weiss Pic

 

Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery series: The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, The Infernal Detective, and The Elemental Detective.

 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

 

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

 

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine.

You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

 

You can connect with Kirsten on:

Kirsten’s Website | Kirsten’s Twitter Profile | Kirsten’s Facebook PageKirsten’s Google+ Page | Kirsten’s Pinterest Boards | Kirsten’s Amazon Page

~~~~~

Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes ~ Friday Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: April 25, 2014 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, Mystery, otherworldly
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Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

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Mark Stewart is one incident away from becoming a juvenile delinquent, and his parents have had enough. They ship Mark off to London England to stay with his eccentric aunt Agatha who is obsessed with all things Jack the Ripper. After a strange twist of luck, Mark is struck by lightning, and he wakes to find himself in 1888 Victorian London.

His interest in a string of murders Scotland Yard has yet to solve make him a likely suspect. After all, why would a young boy like Mark know so much about the murders? Could he be the ripper they’ve been searching for? Convinced the only way to get back home is to solve the murders, Mark dives headfirst into uncovering the truth.

Mark’s only distraction comes in the form of the beautiful Genie Trembly, a girl who is totally out of his league and who may have already caught the attention of the infamous ripper. To save her, he’ll endanger both their lives, and risk being trapped in the past forever.

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add to goodreads

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Title: SHADOWS FALL AWAY
Publication date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Kit Forbes

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Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

Kit Forbes has been a lover of books, history, and all things paranormal for as long as she can remember. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her youngest daughter and an assortment of cats who give new meaning to the world bizarre.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway

An eBook copy of Shadows Fall Away and a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Click on the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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Lets get metaphysical with The Riga Hayworth Series by Kirsten Weiss ~ My Reviews and Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2014 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
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Kristen Weiss' ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE Tour

Lets get metaphysical with Kirsten Weiss’s Riga Hayworth Series!

I read these books out of order starting with the fourth and fifth and then the first book. They can be read as stand alones. I like that.

For today I’ll be reviewing The Metaphysical Detective and also I’ve provided a link to my review of The Infernal Detective. Stop back tomorrow for my review of The Elemental Detective.

Then I’m hoping to read the second and third books!

Also got a great giveaway for ya so be sure to enter!

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THE METAPHYSICAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 1

October 24, 2011

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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My Review

I have already read Book Four and then Book Five in this series and had no difficulty getting into them. The author reintroduces you to the characters and past invents with no slowing down the new story.

I couldn’t wait to get to this first book so I could meet Riga as if for the first time.

What a rush this was. Riga took on a client who claimed her dead husband was trying to kill her. Voila, the client ended up dead and powerful magic was afoot.

The author lends Greek mythology and the power of Tarot to this mystery, keeping it interesting and driving the story forward.

As much as I was curious about who killed who, how, and why, I was also curious about an odd incident Riga had. She goes to the usual pub for some wine and encounters a sexy, enigmatic man who claims they know each other very well. Riga blows him off as a nutcase as she has no friends.

What tweaked my radar was a comment the bar owner, Takako, said. After Riga told her the handsome stranger was no friend of hers, Takako uttered, “But you two have been coming here together for years.”

With Riga’s powers acting wiggy, I wondered what in the world was going on and had a fantastic time finding out.

Meeting characters I already knew as if for the first time endeared them to me even more. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next two!

I recommend this to everyone who likes a mystery in a mystery, lots of magical elements and strong writing with a mixed bag of characters, human and otherwise.

5 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

Tarot, the Archetypes, Good Wine… and a Dog Named Dog.

When Riga Hayworth finds her new client dead, she smells a set up of metaphysical proportions. Now, to find a killer, Riga must travel from San Francisco to the underworld… and make it back alive.

Riga’s client, Helen Baro, believes her husband is trying to kill her. One problem: her husband died in a car crash last year. Riga isn’t sure what to think. Is Helen mad? Is someone else trying to harm the woman? Or is this really a case of attempted murder from beyond the grave? But then Helen is found dead, leaving a strange haiku and tarot for a clue, and Riga is hurled into an investigation that threatens the detective and those she loves.

An urban fantasy based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Metaphysical Detective explores the power of the archetypes through the double lens of tarot and Greek mythology.

~~~

 

THE ALCHEMICAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 2

May 31, 2012

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis

 

Where Alchemy, Demons, and Good Wine Collide… with a Lake Monster Named Tessie.

A psychic has been murdered in an occult ceremony and the police pay a visit to Riga Hayworth, metaphysical detective. But this time, she’s not a consultant on the case. She’s a suspect.

There’s a storm on the horizon.

Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe to recover and spend quality time with her new love. But life for Riga is never that simple. A psychic’s been murdered, and the police believe Riga has a connection to the crime.

They’re right.

And if that’s not enough, Riga is drafted as the host of a reality TV show about the local lake monster, and her niece is rejecting her metaphysical abilities. Juggling demons, daimons, and angry tarot card readers, Riga must catch a killer before she becomes the next target.

The Alchemical Detective is an urban fantasy exploring the world of alchemy and the imagination.

~~~

THE SHAMANIC DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 3

October 19, 2012

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Synopsis

 

A Fast-paced Urban Fantasy

When Riga Hayworth’s lover is arrested, she’s determined to unearth the truth, no matter the cost. But life – and death – get in the way.

All Riga wants is to clear the name of her almost-fiancée, Donovan Mosse. But a death faerie has other plans for her, and Riga is forced to protect a shaman with a house full of murderous relatives. The only way to stop this killer is to figure out who he, or she, is before the next strike. As the two cases become entangled, Riga must choose between facts and faith, and decide just how far she’s willing to go for love.

The Shamanic Detective is a paranormal mystery set in Lake Tahoe, exploring shamanism, the shadow, and the world of the fae.

~~~

 

THE INFERNAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 4

Published by: Misterio Press

May 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 *****Check out my 5 STAR review HERE*****

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Synopsis

Murder. The undead. Irritating relatives.

When Riga Hayworth finds a dead body in her bedroom, it’s par for the course. When the corpse drives off with her fiancée… That’s a problem.

Riga knows dead. More intimately than she’d like. So when a murdered photographer walks away from her pre-wedding party, she believes there’s necromancy afoot. And when she discovers that several of her wedding guests are under the influence of dark magic, she’s certain. But how can she catch a killer and stop a necromancer when even her nearest and dearest are lying to her?

Marrying romance, mystery, and the metaphysical, The Infernal Detective is a fast-paced urban fantasy, where nothing is quite as it seems, and magic lies just beyond the veil.

“A high-voltage, cleverly spun mystery, that I couldn’t put down. Riga Hayworth is addictive.”

– Diana Orgain, Best-selling author of The Maternal Instincts Mysteries

~~~

 

THE ELEMENTAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 5

Published by: Misterio Press

December 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

Word Count: 70,647

BUY LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

****Stop back by tomorrow for my review!****

~~~

Synopsis

 

Mermaids, menehunes, and murder.

Riga Hayworth just wants to relax with her new husband on their Hawaiian honeymoon. But a body on a Kauai beach pulls them into a murder investigation, sending the supernatural world into an uproar.

 

When Riga detects traces of magic at a murder scene, she knows she can’t ignore the call. There’s necromancy afoot, and she must prepare for the battle to come. But can Riga fight the forces of nature? Or will they destroy her and everyone she loves?

 

Book five in the Riga Hayworth series of paranormal mystery novels, The Elemental Detective is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy blending romance with the supernatural, and exploring the magic of Hawaii.

 

About Kirsten Weiss

 Kirsten Weiss Pic

 

Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery series: The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, The Infernal Detective, and The Elemental Detective.

 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

 

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

 

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine.

You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

 

You can connect with Kirsten on:

Kirsten’s Website | Kirsten’s Twitter Profile | Kirsten’s Facebook PageKirsten’s Google+ Page | Kirsten’s Pinterest Boards | Kirsten’s Amazon Page

~~~~~

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TOUR GIVEAWAY: US Only please

Grand prize: Riga’s mini-magick kit (including spell paper, a quartz crystal, herbs for incense, and a candle) and a signed copy of The Elemental Detective.

kirsten mini magick kit

****US Only please****

 

Second prize: a purse charm plus e-copy of The Elemental Detective.

kirsten mermaid purse charm

****US Only please****

 

Third prize: an e-copy of The Elemental Detective.

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****US Only please****

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Awaken by Skye Malone ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2014 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance, YA
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I have a wonderful cover reveal for you today!

Check out Awaken by Skye Malone.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Title: Awaken
Series: Awakened Fate (Book One)
Author: Skye Malone
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wildflower Isle
Expected Publication: June 3, 2014
Cover Designer: Karri Klawiter
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Running away from home was never Chloe Kowalski’s plan.
Neither was ending up the target of killers, or having her body change in
unusual ways. She only wanted a vacation, someplace far from her crazy parents
and their irrational fear of water. She only wanted to do something normal for once, and maybe get to know
her best friend’s hot stepbrother a bit better at the same time.

 

 

But the first day she goes out on the ocean, strange things
start to happen. Dangerous things that should be impossible. Things to which
‘normal’ doesn’t even begin to apply.

 

 

Now madmen are hunting her. A mysterious guy with glowing
blue eyes is following her. And her best friend’s stepbrother seems to be
hiding secrets all his own.

 

 

It was supposed to be a vacation. It’s turning out to be a
whole lot more.

 

[If you’re interested in being part of the blog tour for Awaken, click the banner above to learn more!]

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About Skye

 

Skye Malone is the creative mind behind the Awakened Fate series.

She also technically does not exist.

Skye was born on May 17th, 2013 as the pen name of author Megan Joel Peterson, to give Megan an outlet for all the stories running around in her head. She writes paranormal romance and adventure, loves wolves and the ocean, and might just take over Megan’s life someday.

 Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr
_________________________________________________________
Giveaway
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$30 Amazon Gift Card

$20 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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WWW Wednesday #34 ~ Murmurings, Mind Games, and Steam and Sensibility

Posted: April 23, 2014 in horror, Paranormal or fantasy, steam punk, suspense, WWW Wednesday
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WWW Wednesday

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Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What are you currently reading?

Steam and Sensibility

by Kirsten Weiss

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Synopsis

Steam rising. California Territory, 1848. Gold has been discovered, emptying the village of San Francisco of its male population. Steam-powered technology is still in its infancy.

At 19, Englishwoman Sensibility Grey has spent her life tinkering in her father’s laboratory and missing the finer points of proper British life. But when her father dies in penury, she’s shipped to San Francisco and to the protection of an uncle she’s never met.

The California Territory may hold more dangers than even the indomitable Miss Grey can manage. Pursued by government agents, a secret society, and the enigmatic Mr. Krieg Night, Sensibility must decipher the clockwork secrets in her father’s final journal, unaware she’ll change the world forever.

Magic, mayhem, and mechanicals. STEAM AND SENSIBILITY is a pre-Steampunk novel of paranormal suspense set in the wild west of the California gold rush.

~~~~

What did you recently finishing reading?

The Murmurings

by Carly Anne West 

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Synopsis

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not….

 

~~~~~

What do you think you’ll read next?

Mind Games

Cassie Scot Book #3

by Christine Amsden 

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Beware your heart and soul…Evan broke Cassie’s heart two months ago, and she still doesn’t know why. She throws herself into family, friends and her new job at the sheriff’s department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows her heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie finds him… irresistibleMatthew may also be the only one who can help keep the nonmagical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a beloved pastor’s wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands. With tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze.

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~~~~~

So, whatcha readin?

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She knows about dead ~ My Review of The Infernal Detective by Kirsten Weiss

Posted: April 23, 2014 in Mystery, reviews, Series, urban fantasy
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This is going to be a busy week!

For today I’ll be telling you about The Infernal Detective, the fourth book in thee Riga Hayworth Series by Kirsten Weiss.

Then on Thursday, April 24th, I’ll be reviewing The Metaphysical Detective, Book One and hosting a giveaway, so be sure to stop by!

And on Friday, April 25th, I’ll be reviewing The Elemental Detective, Book Five.

What I really love about this series is you can read them as stand alones easily. I read the fourth book first and then the fifth before I read book one and never was confused.

Now I need to read book two and three. Can’t wait!

THE INFERNAL DETECTIVE

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Riga Hayworth, Book 4

Published by: Misterio Press

May 21, 2013

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery

BUY LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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My Review

I was given a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

The first thing I discovered was that although this is the fourth book in her Riga Hayworth series, it read easily as a stand alone novel.

The author introduces a new mystery for Riga to solve and laces past characters and events into the story in increments so you don’t feel lost and are able to become acquainted with everyone easily.

Riga’s wedding day is only a week away and hectic doesn’t describe her life. When she finds a dead body in her bedroom things go from hectic to crazy. The dead body is seen driving away with her soon to be husband.

A lot is happening in this book. Riga has accepted she’s a necromancer but struggles with being drawn into dark magic. Her niece, Pen, is also struggling with it, and Riga has her hands full trying to coach her and deal with some wicked aunts, a magic attack on her wedding guests, and a sarcastic gargoyle who gives cryptic answers.

I think it would be fun to have a companion like Brigitte. The gargoyle is a formidable foe and guardian and never hesitates to set you straight, often not sparing your feelings. She’s also funny and extremely loyal.

Riga is stronger than she thinks. She’s able to sort things out without losing it and when you find out what’s really going on with the dead guy and her fiance, you’ll wonder how she does it.

Urban fantasy slash mystery slash romance, The Infernal Detective unleashes all that plus magic galore and an excellent cast of characters. There’s so much to keep you entertained and guessing, which leads to an addictive series.

I recommend this to all who enjoy a good mystery, fantasy, and some laughs.

5 STARS

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Some quotes from the book:

“But you said you were a necromancer It doesn’t sound like you’ve got a choice. And what about me? I can see the dead, too.”

“There’s always a choice, Pen. Don’t settle for the magic of the grave.”

**

“Necromancers are like black holes for trouble, and the people around them…get caught in the cross-fire.”

Brigitte cocked her head, thoughtful. “That is true.”

“And you wonder why I don’t want to be one.”

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Synopsis

 

Murder. The undead. Irritating relatives.

When Riga Hayworth finds a dead body in her bedroom, it’s par for the course. When the corpse drives off with her fiancée… That’s a problem.

Riga knows dead. More intimately than she’d like. So when a murdered photographer walks away from her pre-wedding party, she believes there’s necromancy afoot. And when she discovers that several of her wedding guests are under the influence of dark magic, she’s certain. But how can she catch a killer and stop a necromancer when even her nearest and dearest are lying to her?

Marrying romance, mystery, and the metaphysical, The Infernal Detective is a fast-paced urban fantasy, where nothing is quite as it seems, and magic lies just beyond the veil.

“A high-voltage, cleverly spun mystery, that I couldn’t put down. Riga Hayworth is addictive.”

– Diana Orgain, Best-selling author of The Maternal Instincts Mysteries

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About Kirsten Weiss

Kirsten Weiss Pic

 

Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery series: The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, The Infernal Detective, and The Elemental Detective.

 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone. Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

 

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

 

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine.

You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

 

You can connect with Kirsten on:

Kirsten’s Website | Kirsten’s Twitter Profile | Kirsten’s Facebook PageKirsten’s Google+ Page | Kirsten’s Pinterest Boards | Kirsten’s Amazon Page

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Teaser Tuesday’s #63 ~ The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

Posted: April 23, 2014 in apocalypse, horror, Teaser Tuesdays, Zombies
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My Teaser for today is from The First Days

by Rhiannon Frater

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Teaser #1

“Zombies, or whatever they are, definitely shouldn’t exist in a rational, ordered world. It suddenly feels like we’re living in a horror movie.”

Teaser #2

So small.

So very small.

The fingers pressed under the front door of her home were so very small.

~~~

Synopsis

Katie is driving to work one beautiful day when a dead man jumps into her car and tries to eat her. That same morning, Jenni opens a bedroom door to find her husband devouring their toddler son.

Fate puts Jenni and Katie—total strangers—together in a pickup, fleeing the suddenly zombie-filled streets of the Texas city in which they live. Before the sun has set, they have become more than just friends and allies—they are bonded as tightly as any two people who have been to war together.

During their cross-Texas odyssey to find and rescue Jenni’s oldest son, Jenni discovers the joy of watching a zombie’s head explode when she shoots its brains out. Katie learns that she’s a terrific tactician—and a pretty good shot.

A chance encounter puts them on the road to an isolated, fortified town, besieged by zombies, where fewer than one hundred people cling to the shreds of civilization.

It looks like the end of the world. But Katie and Jenni and many others will do whatever they have to to stay alive. Run, fight, pick each other up when they stumble, fall in love…anything is possible at the end of the world.

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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Murder in the Dog Park & Dog Spelled Backwards ~ My reviews and a chance to win these books!

Posted: April 22, 2014 in Blog Tour, crime thriller, giveaways, Mystery, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Murder in the Dog Park/Dog Spelled Backwards
 by Jill Yesko

Ms. Yesko is skilled as a writer…
~rantin’ ravin and reading

Great series, well-written and very entertaining. Four Stars!
~Mommasez

This is a more gritty detective story. Unique characters, with lots of flaws.
~readalot

Dog Park cover

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Murder in the Dog Park
Mystery
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Baxter World Publishing (May 28, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0985485207
File Size: 242 KB
Print Length: 128 pages
 ASIN: B00A10IU7O

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 My Review

I loved this book right from the first sentence. The author cracked me up and it was something I could relate to as a dog lover. From then on it was full speed ahead.

Jane reminds me of one of my sisters in her younger years. A wise cracking woman who hunts down bad guys, drinks too much, smokes too much, and breaks the rules on a regular basis.

She has an oddball cousin, Lenny. He’s kind of a lost soul. Not sure why, but I like him.

And Archie, Jane’s bull terrier, is as ballsy as she is. If you don’t know what a bull terrier is, picture Spuds McKenzie from the old Budweiser commercials. A short, stout body packed with muscle, and beady little eyes. A land shark with attitude. Ever had a dog take you for a walk? The author called it fourpaw drive.

A freezing constitutional walk for Archie at the dog park lands Jane in a murder mystery after the dog unearths a dead body.

Her skills at hacking help her make a living and come in handy when she attempts to solve the murder and clear her cousin’s name.

There’s also a hint of romance when hot cop Don and Jane meet. I was looking forward to finding out if he could handle her.

The writing is neat. The author keeps the story moving quickly. It’s earthy and the characters are flawed and genuine. Definitely a series I’ll be following.

4 Stars

Synopsis

Discovering a brutally murdered boy in a rainy dog park sends misanthropic private detective Jane Ronson on a journey through Baltimore’s gritty underbelly. Aided by a sexy cop, a bad-ass bull terrier, and an only-in-Baltimore cast of characters, Jane must use her computer-hacking and street-fighting skills to save her only family member from being framed as the killer.

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DogSpelledBackwards
Dog Spelled Backwards: An Unholy Mystery
Mystery
Paperback: 210 pages
Publisher: Baxter World Publishing (August 17, 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-0985485214
File Size: 1355 KB
Print Length: 118 pages
 ASIN: B00FDXQVO8
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My Review

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with such a mishmash of characters and scenarios.

I had a hard time picturing Jane as an Orthodox Jewish woman. Several scenarios left me laughing. She’s a hard partying, sailor cussing, nobody tells me what to do gal and it was fun seeing her play this undercover role.

Jane and Don’s romance is steaming along. Her odd cousin Lenny and her hot cop boyfriend are scheming for wedding bells for the couple. I don’t see her as the settling down and getting married type, but we shall see.

And Jane’s loveable bull terrier, Archie, is up to his old tricks along with some new ones. Nothing like a dog to make a story more fun.

The author really ups the ante for Jane. She has a huge target on her back with the Russian mob after her. Also, she learns she’s Jewish, not the Catholic girl her mother led her to believe. Talk about a curve ball.

This second book in the Dog Park mysteries is even more intense, with very interesting and diverse characters. Another race to the finish line read and every bit as good as the first book, Murder in the Dog Park.

4 Stars

Synopsis

Private investigator Jane Ronson suffers from oppositional defiant disorder, the uncontrollable urge to punch first then ask questions later. When a rabbi with a shady past offers her a bag of cash to spy on a rival rabbi, Jane jumps at the chance to make what think will be easy money. To get her cash, Jane impersonates an Orthodox Jewish woman and infiltrates a black market kidney ring in Baltimore’s Orthodox community. Between Russian gangsters and double crosses, Jane is number one on everyone’s hit list. To save her life, she forms an alliance with a religious woman and confronts a family.

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Jill Yesko Headshot
About This Author

Jill Yesko’s 20+ year writing career has included stints as a sport writer, NPR commentator and investigative reporter. She’s written about everything from body piercing to human pyramids in Spain. After a solo trek around the world, Jill was profiled as an “adventurous traveler” in O, the Oprah magazine. Before becoming a writer, Jill was a national-class cyclist and graduate and cartographer. A New Jersey native, Jill now patrols Baltimore’s dog parks with her basset hound.

 

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Author Links

Website / Blog / Goodreads

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Tour Participants

April 14 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review
April 15 – Mommasez… – Review, Guest Post
April 16 – readalot blog – Review
April 17 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
April 18 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Guest Post
April 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review
 April 21- deal sharing aunt – Guest Post
April 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review
April 22 – fuonlyknew ~ Laura’s Ramblins and Reviews – Review
April 23 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Review
April 24 – fundinmental – Guest Post
April 25 – Thoughts in Progress – Review, Interview
April 26 – Chloe Gets a Clue – Interview
April 27 – Melina Book Blog – Guest Post
April 28 – Teena in Toronto – Review
April 29 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Review
April 30 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Guest Post

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Tour giveaway
An eBook copy of Murder in the Dog Park
An eBook copy of Dog Spelled Backwards

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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