Author Archive

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Let ‘er buck!

The Cowboy and the Vampire Reboot.

The phrase “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover” is a lie. It’s a damn lie. People do it all the time. Art is truth.

To mark the upcoming May 2014 release of the third book in The Cowboy and the Vampire Collection, the series was treated to a gothic western makeover, with artwork commissioned exclusively for the series.

“We wanted to give readers something special and the new covers get right to the heart of the series,” said co-author Hays. “Go on and judge the books by these covers! They bring together the paranormal and the western elements perfectly, setting a dark tone with just a hint of the humor.”

“Each time you look at the images, you see something a bit different, even more of the opposites-attract romantic theme pops, and the overtones of simmering passion,” said co-author McFall.

Get caught up on the love between Tucker and Lizzie now before the release of book three.

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A Very Unusual Romance

The Cowboy and the Vampire

Book 1

Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

“Deliciously dark.” – Booklist

Welcome to LonePine, Wyoming, where the best of the American west faces off against the rise of the undead. It’s a love story for the ages.

Worlds collide when a broke cowboy and a glamorous big city reporter fall lipstick over boot heels in love. But she carries a 2,000-year-old secret in her veins that will test their unusual romance.

Saddle up for a hilarious, existential gallop through the dying west with an army of ancient bloodsuckers in hot pursuit.

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Blood and Whiskey

The Cowboy and the Vampire

Book 2

Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

“Strong writing, funny characters … riveting.” – Kirkus Reviews

Welcome back to LonePine, Wyoming. It’s like any other slowly dying town in the modern American West. Except it’s suddenly lousy with vampires.

Cultures clash as the vampire illuminati ride into town to settle ancient scores, test loyalties and thrash out a new world order. Can the fragile relationship between a cowboy and a vampire survive lust, betrayal and country music?

Grab the reins and hold on tight as Tucker and Lizzie stampede through rural America and across the vampire afterlife, desperate to protect their unlikely love.

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A Tangled Publishing History

The first book of this series, A Very Unusual Romance, was published in 1999, long before the vampire craze. With comparisons to Anne Rice and Zane Grey, the book gained a devoted following with initial sales of more than 10,000 print units. Fast forward a decade, and the publisher (Llewellyn) brought out the book as a second edition in 2010, aiming to captialize on the Twilight mega-hit. Meanwhile, the authors wrote the second book in the series – Bllod and Whiskey – bringing it out under their own imprint. (Pumpjack Press, 2012). In 2013, they gained the rights back for the oringinal book, and now, with book three poised for publication in May 2014, the restored Cowboy and Vampire  series has been redesigned with exclusive art and is coming out for the first time in 15 years as a complete collection. Yippi-ki-yay!

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About the authors

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Between the two of them, Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall have worked in writing jobs ranging from cowboy-poet to energy journalist to restaurant reviewer to university press officer. After they met, their writing career took center stage when they wrote the first book in The Cowboy and the Vampire Collection as a test for marriage. They passed. Clark and Kathleen now live in Portland, Oregon.

Connect with the authors:

Links

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

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About the artist

When asked about his biggest artistic influences, Aaron Perkins says there are to many to name, but when pressed mentions Gustav Klimt, Modigliani and the full-on art deco expressionism and surrealism. Aaron is also a big fan of concert poster art. That heady and diverse collection of inspiration shows up in The Cowboy and Vampire Collection covers.

Connect with the artist

An interview with the artist HERE.

His Website

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Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

My Tethered Soul (Reaper’s Rite #2) by Dorothy Dreyer

presented by Month9Books!

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My Tethered Soul (Reaper’s Rite #2)
by Dorothy Dreyer
Publication Date: June 2014
Publisher: Month9Books

It’s been months since Zadie faced her sister’s Reaper, months during which she’s been under her mentor’s magical protection. But now that she’s turning seventeen, that protection is about to run out.

When dark forces lure Zadie to wander at night, she’s manipulated into committing unspeakable acts. With her friends and family at risk, Zadie must try to use her powers to break free from the Reaper’s grasp, or surrender to the Reaper’s Rite, which can only lead to death.

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My Sister’s Reaper, book one in the Reaper Rite’s series, also got a make over!

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Sixteen-year-old Zadie’s first mistake was telling the boy she liked she could bring her dead sister back to life. Her second mistake was actually doing it.

When Zadie accidentally messes with the Reaper’s Rite that should have claimed her sister Mara, things go horribly wrong. Mara isn’t the same anymore—Zadie isn’t even sure she’s completely human, and to top it off, a Reaper is determined to collect Mara’s soul no matter what. Now Zadie must figure out how to defeat her sister’s Reaper, or let Mara die … this time for good.

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

Dorothy Dreyer

Dorothy Dreyer has always believed in magic. She loves reading, writing, movies, and spending time with her family and friends. Half-American and half-Filipino, Dorothy lives in Germany with her husband and two children.

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

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An ebook copy of My Tethered Soul and a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Welcome to my stop on the tour for The Freeing of Jonathon Mark by Nathan Gross.

I’ve been agonizing over my review for days. I just know I’m not going to do this book justice. It’s been a very hard review to write. Don’t get me wrong, the book is fantastic and like nothing I’ve read before. I just struggled with how to tell you about it.

Enough of that! Read on and enjoy getting to know more about the book. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of my post!

Freeing of Lonathan Mark

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Publisher: Paperback: Nathan Gross. Ebook: 7write (Dec 8, 2013)

ISBN-13: 979-1093074016

Category: Thriller, Paranoid Fiction

Tour Dates: March, 2014

Available in: Print & ebook, 324 pages

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My Review

This book was so unique, I made up my own category – psychological twister. It’s seldom that I can state I’ve never read anything quite like this, but in this instance, I can.

Jonathon is a Taker. His job is to listen to his clients, take their pain, their grief. He can’t speak to them or show empathy of any kind. I mentioned grief and I’m sure you were thinking one thing and I was talking another. The grief is more like whining and griping than about sorrow. In fact, an older woman came to see Jonathon, and when she starts talking about her recently deceased husband, he asks her to leave, stating he can’t take her grief, it’s old-style grief, not modern. Against company policy.

As you can imagine, the clients aren’t all that pleasant and it’s probably a good thing Jonathon can’t say what he’s thinking. The author wrote Jonathan’s point of view every other chapter,  and the chapters in between being his clients. It made for interesting and disturbing reading.

About the time I was thinking how could anyone do this, Jonathon begins to unravel. A new client, so unlike his others, a shining beacon in all the bitterness, has him wanting something different. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what he did though.

There were some lighter parts. They actually have these Rage Room Boxes on the streets. You stick your head in and scream all of your anger and rage and nobody can hear you. These might come in handy in any city.

And the neighbor who is always trying to download her grief for free. He has to be on his toes, or she’ll give it to him.

The dialogue is fascinating. Even though Jonathon’s side of the conversation is only in his head, you’ll find yourself agreeing with him, nodding your own head, and thinking some of the same nasty thoughts.

I need to mention there’s sex and language in this book. It’s for adult readers. It’s in your face, nothing subtle about it. If you don’t mind that, you should definitely give this book a go. It’s strange, twisted, and darkly comedic. Never a dull moment.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Jonathon is a Taker, some type of modern day psych in the growing industry of modern grief. Takers treat people for all that ails them just by listening. In session, a Taker doesn’t speak. A Taker doesn’t move. A Taker doesn’t even blink. They take till their patients have got no more negativity to give.

A chance meeting throws a new patient into Jonathon’s life. A girl whose carefree lightness of being is in complete contrast to the average patient. She makes Jonathon realise he can no longer refuse to deal with how his job makes him sick, nor his own destructive vice.

Murder is his only way out, an action that leads him towards his own death and beyond. It is a path he hopes will lead him to his freedom.

Read Sample Chapters Here

View the trailor:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP3aExxHfgI]

Praise for The Freeing of Jonathan Mark:

“Small book but great story!  It’s more and more rare to find a book like this one.”– dvdchrono, Amazon Reviewer

“Loved this book, can’t wait for the next one!  I had not heard of this author but I do not think it will be long before the world has heard of him. Do yourself a favour and buy this book, you will not be disappointed.  I judge a book on its ‘cannot put down factor’. I found myself quickly intrigued and fully immersed in the book and could not put it down.  It is really well written and does not follow other writers safe templates.  Hurry up and release your second book ! I am glad I jumped on the Nathan Gross bandwagon from the beginning. I suggest others follow suit.”– Ben Mitchell, Amazon Reviewer

“With the publication of his first novel, The Freeing of Jonathon Mark, Nathan Gross has announced to the literary world that he has arrived and demands attention. This book is a psychological thriller that compels the reader to keep reading. The almost dystopian world it portrays is both disturbing and fascinating, and displays Gross’ novel viewpoint of where society is headed. We become partners in Jonathon Mark’s nightmarish journey into the depths of despair and hope for some form of redemption for him, although that seems unlikely. The book is a little too long, but it is a wonderful achievement for a first-time novelist. I look forward to his next book to see where his fertile imagination has led him, and to follow his further maturation as a writer.”- Morry Frenkel, Amazon Reviewer

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About Nathan Gross:Nathan Gross

Nathan is passionately obsessed with scratching the itch that is his absolute need to write. Whether it be in the form of novels or short stories, film / video scenarios, scripts or songs: writing keeps the demons at bay.

Nathan draws on and interprets the events that transpire around him, transforming minute observations and a distant, large view of the world into prose. He expresses at once his hopes and despairs, and equally his surprise and complete comprehension of events before, or as they unfold, if not always as everyone else sees them.

If his book ‘The Freeing of Jonathon Mark’ is part of his journey as a writer, then perhaps it traces his experiences chasing the plastic happiness of consumerist dreams. Perhaps it is also a study of how he opted out of these pursuits for a fresh start, in order to forge a new life where he can be free from empty conformity; to discover and further himself in the journey that is his life. New beginnings bring new ideas to draw upon and it goes without saying that we will find these thinkings in his subsequent writings.

His other published works include Ginger the Carrot, the first in a series of picture books for adults entitled Rotten Veggies, and the song and music video Tais Toi for the musician Monsieur Grandin. He is also the director and scenarist for a number of award winning short films. A collection of his works both written and visual are to be discovered at zamsteepa.com.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Nathan now resides in the south of France.

His short story ‘Grampy Joe’ won third prize in the Odyssey House Victoria 2012 short story competition.  You can read ‘Grampy Joe’ here.

Nathan Gross Website ~ The Freeing of Jonathan Mark Website

Twitter ~ Facebook

Buy The Freeing of Jonathan Mark: Amazon

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I have one copy to giveaway (Print or ebook)

Print copy for Great Britain, France, Canada, Australia & US Only

Ebook is international

To enter please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“What would you like to yell from the rooftop?”

Giveaway ends March 30th.

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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Mar 4 Giveaway & Spotlight

Deal Sharing Aunt Mar 5 Review

Deal Sharing Aunt  Mar 6 Guest Post

A Dream With a Dream Mar 7 Review & Giveaway

Let’s Talk About Books Mar 12 Review

Aspired Writer Mar 13 Guest Post

Princess & the Gummy Bear Mar 17 Video Review

Manic Mama of 2 Mar 18 Review

fuonlyknew Mar 20 Review & Giveaway

I’m A Voracious Reader Mar 24 Review

Little Black Marks Mar 25 Review

Giveaways & Glitter Mar 26 Review

Life With the Stewarts  Mar 27 Review

The News in Books Mar 28 Review

The News in Books Mar 27 Interview

Room With Books Mar 31 Review & Giveaway

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Title: By the Fates, Fought

Author: Patricia D. Eddy

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Audience: 18+

Formats: eBook

Publisher: Patricia D. Eddy

Cover By: Ravven

Editor: Clare C. Marshall

Pages: 400 pages estimated.

ASIN: B00IZO66MY / ISBN: 1496104005

Date published: 18 March, 2014


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Spring in Gralvein brings Ealasaid peace. Six months to the day Raven found her shackled and tortured in the devil’s lair, their public handfasting is the happiest day of her life. But a storm is coming. Devils join King Eideard’s Guarda and watch Ealasaid constantly. Faolan’s spies report Lobhdain is plotting. What is this mystical artifact he searches for?

When the devils attack and one of their allies disappears, Raven and Ealasaid fear they will never be safe. Can they manage a daring rescue? Or will Ealasaid lose everything she holds dear?

By the Fates, Fought is the second novel in the By the Fates trilogy. It contains several disturbing scenes, including brief descriptions of rape and torture and is meant for mature audiences. It ends on a cliffhanger. By the Fates, Fulfilled will be released in Fall of 2014.

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Excerpt

The chill surrounded us. Even now, after six months, it shocked me. But Raven’s arms were tight and warm around me. When we emerged, the sun was kissing the horizon. I blinked against the brilliant orange light. We were standing on a small strip of sand next to the sea. Rose petals covered the beach and lanterns were arranged in a large circle, inside of which stood those we considered our family. Ami and Seònaid. Moire and Ian. Marcas and Una. Even Faolan was there. I turned towards Raven with questions in my eyes.

Color flooded his dusky, chiseled cheeks and the gentle breezes ruffled his black hair. He had let it grow these past months and it nearly brushed his shoulders now. “I wanted to do something for you, allera. Something special to mark this day. Our customs say that Ostara, the spring equinox, marks the day that light wins over the darkness. You are my light, Ealasaid.”

“And you are mine,” I managed. The lump in my throat threatened to choke me. “There was no light for me before you. But you have already given me everything. I have no need of anything else.”

Raven smiled. “Perhaps I do. Ami and Seònaid’s handfasting was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Second only to the moment of our mating when I felt our souls intertwine. I thought we could have our own handfasting. In front of our family. All of them.”

I looked around. Our Love surrounded us, pure and perfect. Ian’s arm was around Moire’s waist. Ami’s hand rested on Seònaid’s bottom and their heads were touching. Una was curled against Marcas. Faolan was the only one standing apart. He looked wistful, but not entirely unhappy.

“This is what you were doing today?” I accused.

“Finding roses this time of year was difficult. Ian and I had to travel to his home in the south. His gardens there are truly impressive. It is a long trip.” Raven grinned.

“I suppose I will have to forgive you then.”

Raven offered me his hand and led me inside the circle. We stood at the center. The couples formed three points of the compass with Faolan taking up the fourth. Moire and Ian spoke first, their voices combining in unison. “We ask the Fates to bless this union with the gifts from the four corners of the world. We represent the gifts of the north a firm foundation on which to build, a hope for a fertile mind and body, and a stable home where you may always return to each other’s arms.”

Marcas and Una spoke next. “We represent the gifts of the south the comfort of a loving home, the heat of the heart’s passion, and light in the darkest of times.”

Seònaid and Ami stepped forward. “We represent the gifts of the west a commitment as deep and a passion as all encompassing as the sea.”

Faolan’s raspy voice completed the ritual. “I give you the gifts of the east the union of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun.”

The air around us stirred. I swept my gaze over the deep purple sky to where it touched the expansive sea. The water lapped softly at the sand. I inhaled deeply. The salty air filled my lungs. I had never felt so free so very loved and safe.

Ami stepped forward with a braided piece of silk. “Ealasaid, take Raven’s left hand in yours.” She laid her hand on ours, cool against our warmth. Her eyes met mine. “May I bind your hands?”

I nodded. As she tied a loose knot at our wrists, a sudden memory threatened me, but one look into Raven’s eyes and it vanished.

“Your hands are now joined, in front of your family, as witnessed by the Fates. Hold each other, caress each other, support each other, love each other. Your lives, your hearts, and your souls are joined in this life and the next. By the Fates and by the laws of this land may this be done.” Ami unwound the silk and handed it to Seònaid. “There is only one thing left to do.”

I looked over at her. What else could there be?

Raven dipped his hand into his pocket and brought forth two silver rings, one large and one small. “A symbol. Like our sigils. I had them made for us.”

He took the smaller ring and slid it onto my finger. It was warm. The engravings appeared to come alive for a brief second, glinting in the light of the surrounding lanterns. Raven extended his hand, offering me his ring. I had a sudden flash of memory: Raven offering me a grape the first morning I’d been free. Tears pricked at my eyes. With trembling fingers, I held his ring. My magic pulsed, heating the silver. What is happening? As the ring slid over Raven’s finger, I awakened my sight. Emerald wisps of air were flowing from my hand to his. His aura took on the slightest green tinge. It was almost like a halo around his body. The ring had a stronger aura, one all its own. Was there magic in the metal? I looked down at my hand. My ring had no such aura. When I looked back at his ring, the aura was gone.

“Ealasaid.” He brought me back with the gentle word. “The Fates smiled upon me the day they led me to you. They have blessed me every day since. I have seen you discover your magic, your voice, your strength, and even your very name. Each day with you is a gift-one I treasure.”

I cupped his cheek. “It is I who am blessed. I had nothing. You gave me the strength to discover who I was. It is because of you that I have a family. There is nothing more precious to me than this.”

For several long moments, all was silent. We were locked in a gentle embrace. Raven’s eyes shone with unshed tears. He dipped his head. His lips were soft, warm, and tasted of home. He was my home.

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A prize pack
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Author PicPatricia D. Eddy has been a writer all of her life. She used to sit at her parents’ kitchen counter at an Apple IIe typing out short stories. She even wrote a few on their old typewriter. But it wasn’t until NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2011 that she ever came close to finishing a story she started.

Once that dam broke, the flood waters never receded. Patricia sits down to write every evening after dinner and quite often sees midnight come and go before she heads to bed. She doesn’t sleep much. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

In her spare (HA!) time she runs, bikes, swims, yogas, pilates-es, reads, and is terribly addicted to Doctor Who and Sherlock. Apparently she has a thing for quirky British men.

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Tour Schedule – One Week Blog Tour By The Fates, Fought by Patricia D Eddy from March 18 to March 24. 

March 18
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March 22
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March 24
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EvacuationBlitzBanner

Welcome to my stop on the Blitz for Evacuation by K.D. McAdams.

I love discovering a new author and another exciting book.

The author has a really fun guest post and there’s a giveaway for a chance to win your own copy of Book One or Book Two of The Seamus Chronicles.

Pack your bags and let’s go.

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What’s in your planetary go bag?

Food, water and a 3-D printer may be keys to survival

 

What if Earth was going down the tubes and you had to Evacuate the planet? What would you put in your go bag?

Thanks to the Mayan apocalypse and the popular Doomsday Preppers show on National Geographic the concept of a survival “Go-bag” has gained mainstream understanding. Survival experts can debate the best contents for one of these go bags but in general they contain food, water, security and some protection from the elements. The idea is that when civilization goes down the tubes you grab the go bag on your way out the door and use its contents to survive.

Here on Earth a go bag has to help you get by. Get by until order is restored. Get by until you can make a supply trip to a safe place. But if you have to leave Earth you can’t just get by, you have to start over. You could bring plenty of stuff, but what happens when you run out? Even if you brought enough of something to last your lifetime what would your ancestors do?

Our world is littered with finished goods. Even after an electromagnetic pulse or a collapse of the world financial markets if you needed a nail, screw or fastener you could find one with just a few minutes of looking. You may have to recycle or up cycle it from a previous use, but it’s there. Even a straight or flat piece of wood is only a few miles away from the places in America where most people live.

Imagine building something without screws, nails or dimensional lumber.

Many of us are familiar with assembling things from furniture to power tools, but can you manufacture anything? Given a tree, can you make a straight board? The earliest pieces of steel are four thousand years old, but could you smelt ore?

Following directions from Ikea doesn’t mean you can make furniture.

There are a few things I’m on the fence about; seeds (would they grow?), weapons (will they work) and a bicycle (can it carry enough?) for example. Given unlimited space these would certainly make it but space will be tight. For the purposes of this exercise lets assume you are leaving Earth in Nissan Maxima; doors, windows and trunk have to close. What do you bring?

You need to figure out all the firsts. The first mill, the first sewer system, the first farm all things that won’t fit in your bag. So in addition to food and water here are five things that I would bring if I had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet.

  1. A tent. The new planet will likely have a different weather system and you’ll need to protect against hot or cold.
  2. Basic hand tools. Hammer, shovels, axes etc.
  3. A hand crank or pedal generator for electricity
  4. A 3-D printer. You can make some of the core pieces needed to build almost anything.
  5. A tablet loaded with manufacturing how-to documents; How to build a sawmill, How to build an iron mill, How to make plastic etc.

What would you bring if you had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet?

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Evacuation cover

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Evacuation by K.D. McAdams (The Seamus Chronicles #2)
Publication date: March 7th 2014
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult
Synopsis
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They have only one chance for survival, leave… the planet.
The virus that wiped out most of the human race is adapting to defeat the vaccine and kill the survivors. There is a government response protocol but it will kill them too, it involves a nuclear winter. The NASA scientists believe they can leave Earth and achieve faster than light travel, but Seamus doesn’t want to slog through space. He knows that to survive they have to go somewhere fast. To save them all he needs to invent a warp drive and evacuate the planet.
Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N
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AUTHOR BIO
KD
K. D. McAdams writes stories  about young people who make choices with their heart and not their head. ‘Don’t talk to strangers’ is the most common phrase in our house, I  have failed several art classes and I can’t remember what I ate for  breakfast. I have a son that loves to talk to strangers, my daughter is  an incredible artist and I have another son that is a stickler for  details with a near eidetic memory. We nurture our kids everyday with  advice and information but deep down they all have an element of nature  that overrides our nurturing and influences their choices. Kids who have the courage to follow their instinct and make their own choices are the ones who make life memorable.
Author links: Goodreads ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

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I have one ebook copy of Annihilation, Book #1 or Evacuation, Book #2, winners choice, to giveaway  (International)

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Evacuation cover

To enter:

Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this fun question:

“What’s the most important thing you’d pack in your Planetary Go Bag?”

Giveaway ends April 2nd

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Thanks so much to Xpresso Book Tours for this exciting event.

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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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H.D. finally delivered! I’ve just finished reading Joe #2: White Sheets and can’t wait to tell you about it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this author just keeps getting better!

I’ve also reviewed Joe, Book One. Enjoy.

H.D. Gordon

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H. D. Gordon is the bestselling author of THE ALEXA MONTGOMERY SAGA, THE SURAH STORMSONG NOVELS and THE JOE KNOWE SERIES. She is twenty-five years old and a true lover of words. When not hanging out with her two beautiful daughters, she can be found reading, writing, or just taking in the world so that she can translate it’s beauty and wonders into the written word.

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JOE

Book One of The Joe Knowe Series

by H.D. Gordon

Joe

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AMAZON

My Review

Joe is very different from the other books I’ve read by H.D. Gordon.There is an element of the supernatural, but it’s in no way the main focus. This has more of a suspense/thriller story line and you’ll feel it in your heart beat.

The writing is indescribable, it’s so good. I’ll do my best to tell you how this story made me feel.

It’s told from several different points of view, with Joe being the main character. You’ll really like her. She’s got this ethereal look to her, and the author gave her a flaw, a stutter, which only made her stronger for me. She wasn’t shy about it, she just didn’t talk much because it was hard. Maybe that’s why she has the special ability of seeing things before they happen, since she spends so much time in her own head.

When something really bad is about to happen, her hands begin to itch and she has to sit down and let it take control, drawing an image of what’s to come.

It’s bad. very bad. Someone plans to go on a killing spree in the Quad at the university she attends. Joe’s biggest fear is failure. She doesn’t always succeed when she tries to intervene in her visions, and the worse they are, the higher probability of failure. As Joe says, she’s no hero, but I beg to differ.

Maybe if she didn’t have to go it alone, things could be different.

I mentioned the story being told from multiple POVs and it worked fantastic for this story. You read the gunman’s thoughts, his madness. You get to know some of the people who are unaware of what’s coming, connect with them, become involved in their lives, and fear for them. As they are so prominently featured in the story, does this mean they are victims, helpers, or survivors? I was afraid to know the answers.

I’ll try this once to describe how the writing felt. As I read, I felt this need for one more sentence, one more paragraph. one more chapter. It was conscious, like hearing your heart beat, your harsh breathing, feeling your muscles tense. the hairs stand up on your neck. I was there. I was in Joe’s head and in the story. I hope you get what I mean.

Once again, the author has surpassed my expectations. Each new book I read goes one step further, moves me that much more. What a ride!

5 STARS

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Synopsis

From the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga comes a story that will take you into the mind of a genuine psychopath, the lives of six ordinary people, and the world of a very special girl named Joe. Joe is seemingly an ordinary college student. She works, studies and reads. But in between these activities, Joe has a gift that promises to add a dose of color to her life at any given moment. Joe sees things before they happen. Bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. Someone is planning a massacre at the college university Joe attends, and the only person with a hope of stopping the psychopath is her. Oh, the beauty of foresight. More like a curse. Joe has four days to figure out the mystery, make plans to take down the psycho, and save the lives of people. People like you and me. Ordinary people.

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JOE 2 : WHITE SHEETS

Book Two of The Joe Knowe Series

by H.D. Gordon

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Available for purchase March 26th

My Review

You jump right back into the story of Joe where it left off in the first book.

I can’t really tell you about it as it will spoil things for ya.

What I will talk about is the writing. Once again, I can’t begin to pull out of my head the words to express how the author mesmerized me. It’s like she cast a spell and I was taken into Joe’s head. I read her thoughts, felt them, and visualized them so clearly. And it was gut wrenching.

This time Joe is up against a diabolical lunatic. A cult leader crazed beyond control with so many innocents under his fanatical influence.

When Joe’s ability shows her what’s going to occur, she once more peers into the abyss, enters the darkness, and hopes to reemerge, mission accomplished.

It sounds easy, but Joe will need to protect herself in more ways than one. The dangers aren’t all plain to see.

This is told from many different points of view, like the first book, and works every bit as good in this one. You’ll begin to understand how the cult followers accept the madman’s teachings and blindly follow. You’ll see inside the fanatic’s mind and be appalled by his deranged thinking and rants.

And you’ll get to know Joe even better. With some of the innocents being young children, Joe’s maternal instincts come forth. This was especially moving, as Joe hasn’t had an easy life. And that’s why I was thrilled to see the two men in her life were back in this book. It’s not a love triangle. Fra from it.

The young man would like to be more than friends, but knows not to push it and the other is an older gentlemen, Joe’s neighbor, and he is a huge support when she feels so alone.

I classify this as a white knuckle read. I don’t think I relaxed from the first page to the end. I wasn’t assured of a happy ending. Joe says she’s no hero, and you never know what can happen.

Thrilling and suspenseful. Drink the kool-aid.  You’ll love it.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Joe Knowe sees things before they happen. Bad things. Just a couple months ago it was a psychopath planning a massacre at the college she attended. Now, she’s facing a whole different kind of madman, and one potentially far more dangerous. To keep the pending disaster from happening, this time Joe will have to get up close and personal, making herself at home in the lion’s den, and attempting not to be swallowed whole. Will she be able to keep herself and those around her from drinking the Kool-Aid? Or will they all end up under white sheets? In this second installment of the thrilling JOE series, H. D. Gordon takes you into the heart of a cult, the mind of its leader, and the lives of his followers.

*****

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

BBT Unleashed Banner Tour 450 x 169
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You may recognize Unleashed as I’ve featured it several times on my blog.
Now I’ve read it and have my review ready.
Also, you can vote for the best voice for Sydney Rye and enter the giveaway for a chance at some great prizes.
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Choose the Voice of Sydney Rye
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Sydney Rye is coming to Audio and we need your help picking the narrator!

Emily Kimelman’s “Sydney Rye” series features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don’t mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

Haven’t read Sydney Rye yet? Download the first book, UNLEASHED, for free on Amazon, iTunes, B&N, or Kobo and see how she sounds in your head then vote for the best narrator!

Voting enters you to win all sorts of great prizes including Amazon gift cards, signed books, and the finished Audio book! Add to your chances of winning by joining Emily’s email list, liking her Facebook page, or telling your friends about the contest. The Rafflecopter is at the end of this post.

Here are your choices:

The code to listen to each artist is below along with their bio.

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Emily Strong

WordPress:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/135354626″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Other:

Bio:
Emily Strong is an actor, voiceover talent, and first time filmmaker. As a native of Michigan, she is a nature-lover at heart but has the mind of a city girl and moved to Chicago nearly three years ago because she wasn’t smart enough to go somewhere warmer. She takes full advantage of what the city has to offer by training at legendary places like The Second City and eating lots and lots of ethnic food (will travel all the way across the city to Pilsen for the best tacos!). Her love of reading was the catalyst for her adventurous spirit and the reason why she is always stoked to tell stories in their many different forms.

You can visit her at www.emilystrong.net

Erin Jones
Wordpress:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/135361730″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Other:

Bio:
Erin has narrated over 500 audio books including “The Hunger Games” trilogy for The National Library Services/Library Of Congress, “A State Of Wonder,” The Garden Of The Beasts,” “Anna Karenina,” “Ferdinand The Bull, and “Madeline.”

Sonja Field

WordPress:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/135364511″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Other:

Sonja has two loves: acting and reading. Narrating audiobooks is her absolute passion. She has logged over 600 hours recording textbooks with an organization called Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, and is currently in the process of recording a kids’ action-fantasy-adventure novel, a steamy and mysterious paranormal romance, and a non-fiction about writing. She loves nothing more than bringing vivid worlds and unique characters to life. When she’s not recording, Sonja can be found onstage, traipsing around Brooklyn, or entertaining children with a variety of dubious accents.

Erica Newhouse

WordPress:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/136160912″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Other:

Bio:

Erica Newhouse is a film, television and theater actor living in New York City. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

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My Review

I’ve been wanting to read Unleashed for a while now. The cover art for the book caught my eye and the blurb reeled me in.

I really connected with Joy (later to be known as Sydney Rye). I may be quite a bit older than her, but I’m still not sure what I want to do. If I could find a dog walking business where I only had three clients and made $1200 a week, I’d be sitting pretty for now. She’s like a young girl lost, no idea what she wants to do, but working on figuring it out. Her amateur sleuthing might turn into a career move.

In one day she breaks up with her boyfriend, loses her job, and buys a dog.

When she’s offered a chance to obtain a dog walking business  she takes it.

Joy ends up knee-deep in murder and mystery. The woman she buys the dog walking business from disappears, and her first day on the job she finds a dead body, and that victim turns out to be one of the her clients. She is impetuous and strong-willed and wades in to solve the mystery, putting herself in the middle of something much bigger than she’d thought and in the killers crosshairs.

Most of the secondary characters are interesting and lend to making for a fleshed out story but didn’t detract from the main ones, which I liked. She gets friendly with the ladies at the dog park and various door men and such, which gives her access to the elite’s secrets. Who’s having affairs, who’s broke, who’s being investigated?

Hugh told her to take time out and really look at people. She realizes she doesn’t even know what her take out delivery guys look like. Just pays them for her food. She’s one of those invisible people, the ones no one really looks at. This might work to her advantage.

I experienced many emotions while reading this book. Joy made me laugh. Her brother, James, and his lover Hugh were her support system and added realism to the story. I really liked them. Officer Doyle made me suspicious. Like Joy, I felt he was too good to be true, and I’m not sure I’d like someone who ordered my food for me without asking my opinion.

Then there’s Mulberry. He evoked annoyance and disgust in me when he first entered the story. But the author made me stop and take a closer look as the story evolved and he became a bigger part of the mystery. He wasn’t what he seemed.

Blue was like icing on the cake. I like it when animals play a part in the story and while Blue wasn’t prominent in this first book, he earned his place and I have a feeling he’ll be playing a larger part in future books. When Joy adopted him from the shelter, it made me think of how I acquired most of my dogs through the years. All of them were strays I took in or adopted.

A good mystery keeps you on your toes, searching for clues, dodging danger, and finally giving you the answers. You’ll find all of that here.

There was no cliff hanger, the mystery was wrapped up neatly with no lingering questions and I loved the final scene. My rating went from 4 stars to 5 because of this and I hope the series has many more books.

5 STARS

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More about UNLEASHED:

UNLEASHED is the first book in Emily Kimelman’s best selling Sydney Rye series of mysteries.

When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller’s dog-walking business on Manhattan’s exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people.

But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim–and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way.

When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit–cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan’s elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.

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The Rest of The Sydney Rye Series:

DEATH IN THE DARK (A Sydney Rye Novella, #2)

INSATIABLE (A Sydney Rye Novel, #3)

STRINGS OF GLASS (A Sydney Rye Novel, #4)

THE DEVIL’S BREATH (A Sydney Rye Novel, #5) Coming April 2014

Emily Kimelman Biography

Emily Kimelman is the author of the best sellunleashed Emily (author photo)ing “Sydney Rye” series of mystery novels including UNLEASHED, DEATH IN THE DARK, INSATIABLE, STRINGS OF GLASS and the forthcoming THE DEVIL’S BREATH. Emily lives with her husband, Sean Gilvey, and their dog, Kinsey Millhone “Pup Detective”, on a trawler docked in the Hudson Valley during the summer. She spends her winters traveling to where ever the next Sydney Rye Novel takes place. Right now she is in Costa Rica working on Sydney Rye #6.

If you’ve read Emily’s work and liked it please contact her. She loves hearing from readers. You can reach Emily via email ejkimelman@gmail.com or on twitter @ejkimelman. Follow her on Instagram to see pictures from Emily’s latest adventures. Visit http://www.emilykimelman.com to learn more about Emily and the Sydney Rye series.

Links:

UNLEASHED

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ iTunes ~ B&N

Social Media

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Newsletter sign up

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Copies of the Finished Audio Book

Signed Copies of Unleashed

Set of all 5 Books, including the forthcoming The Devil’s Breath

A $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

Thanks to Bewitching Book Tours for organizing this wonderful tour.

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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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Summoned Banner copy

The Super Book Blast for Summoned has finally begun. Welcome to my stop. I have some goodies for you today.

If you missed the cover reveal, check it out, learn more about Summoned and enjoy the trailer!

Also, there’s a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Enter at the bottom of my post and Good Luck!

Maybe Dimitri will grant your wish.

Summoned

By Rainy Kaye

Summoned  BOOK COVER align_cover_full

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BLURB:  

Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can’t tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn’t the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl’s ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

Summoned is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Find out more at http://www.summonedtheseries.com

The buy links for this tour will not be available until the book is actually launched on March 28, however the official website is now up and there is a newletter for people who want to be notified when the book is available.

Links:

Official Summoned Website ~ Newsletter

 *****

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCkf92MVvh4]

*****

 

Summoned Book Cover Banner copy

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One randomly drawn commenter will receive a $10 Amazon GC.

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

Follow the tour by clicking on the banner below. And remember to comment. The more you comment, the more chances of winning!

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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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Who doesn’t want to win a Kindle Fire HDX!!!

Read on to enter and Good Luck.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ya’ll!

We are giving away 2 Kindles!!

The first one is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter in the rafflecopter.

Kindle Fire HDX March

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

A huge thank you to all of the contributors!!


The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HDX (US Only – $229 Value)

Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

Giveaway Sponsors:

I Am A Reader
Feed Your Reader
Inspired Kathy
Ripple Effect Romance Series
Author M.A. George
The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl
Meredith & Jennifer’s Musings
Owl Always Be Reading
Author Jennifer Laurens
Bonnie Blythe’s Pure Romance
Bella Street’s Weird Romance
Author Jennifer Faye
Good Choice Reading
Reviews from a Bookworm
Barbara Silkstone
Rae Z. Ryans, Author
The Stubby Pencil
Author David Pandolfe
Hallowed Ink Press
Author Louise Caiola
The Reporter and The Girl
More Than a Review
Kathryn Jones
Once Upon a Twilight
Author Jason Parent
Author Amanda Tru
Author Cidney Swanson
Paige W. Pendleton
Claudia Burgoa
P.M. Richter – author
RoAnna Sylver
Tigris Eden
The Bloggers Nest
J.L. Weil
The Cheap Ebook
Luthando Coeur
Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke
Author Alecia Stone
KellysLuckyYou
Rebecca Talley
Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Simple Wyrdings
Tressa’s Wishful Endings
Paranormal book Club (PBC)
Author Stephanie Faris
Author Inger Iversen
Author Theresa DaLayne
Where The Broken Lie by Derek Rempfer
Bound 4 Escape
Author Laura Diamond

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here:

http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7″ HDX (US Only – $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

Ends 3/31/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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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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Apocalypticon Banner copy

I can’t wait for you to get a look at the cover art for Apocalypticon! It is so awesome.

The creepy castle in the background and the hand coming out of the ground. And what’s that in the hand? Such excellent work.

I sure wish I’d been able to read this before the blast.

Check out the synopsis, enjoy the peek inside the book, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

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Synopsis

 

Three years have passed since the Jamaicans caused the apocalypse, and things in post-Armageddon Chicago have settled into a new kind of normal. Unfortunately, that “normal” includes collapsing skyscrapers, bands of bloodthirsty maniacs, and a dwindling cache of survival supplies. After watching his family, friends, and most of the non-sadistic elements of society crumble around him, Patrick decides it’s time to cross one last item off his bucket list.

He’s going to Disney World.

This hilarious, heartfelt, gut-wrenching odyssey through post-apocalyptic America is a pilgrimage peppered with peril, as fellow survivors Patrick and Ben encounter a slew of odd characters, from zombie politicians and deranged survivalists to a milky-eyed oracle who doesn’t have a lot of good news. Plus, it looks like Patrick may be hiding the real reason for their mission to the MagicKingdom…

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Buy Links

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Apocalypticon Button copy

Get a peek inside Apocalypticon

Ben ripped off a fresh, cleanish strip of blanket and wrapped it around the hand. Patrick whimpered as he pulled it tight and tied it off. “Next time the world ends, let’s make sure we’re stocked up on peroxide and bandages,” Ben said.

Patrick glowered at the first aid kit, which lay open on the hood. Its contents included, and were extremely limited to, six Band-Aids, four cotton swabs, a bottle of Tylenol, some nail polish remover, a packet of Midol, a travel box of Clorox Handi Wipes, and a roll of Tums. “Who packed that thing?” Ben asked. “Pee Wee Herman?”

“The really scary part is, that’s the kit we had in a house with a five-year-old. Criminy. We’re lucky 20 fold-up accordion snakes didn’t pop out when we opened the lid.” He picked up the Tylenol with his good hand and struggled with the lid for a while before turning it over to Ben. “Help. It’s childproof.”

He couldn’t tell if he really had a fever, or it if was a phantom sickness, but he wasn’t taking any chances. The most benign injury could turn fatal without basic medical supplies. And a half-inch hole through the hand was not a benign injury. If the alcohol didn’t kill the infection, he’d lose his hand. That’s a surgery he didn’t want to think about undergoing with full sedation, much less in the backwoods of Mississippi while buzzed on a bottle of Canadian Mist with Ben as his surgeon. He checked the bandage and made sure it was tight. The wound seemed to have stopped bleeding, at least, though he seemed to have lost feeling in his three middle fingers. He didn’t take that for a good sign. “We need real medical supplies,” he said. “Because I am not letting you cut off my hand.”

“What’s the point of even having a machete if we’re not gonna use it?” Ben complained.

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Author Clayton Smith

apocalypticon Clayton Smith Headshot

Clayton Smith is a sometimes-writer, sometimes-napper based in Chicago, where he uses neither his bachelor’s in journalism nor his master’s in arts management. He is often calamitous, and good at bacon. He lives with his impressively tolerant wife.

Clayton’s previous works include Pants on Fire: A Collection of Lies and the comedic play Death and McCootie, which debuted at the 2013 New York International Fringe Festival.

Links: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Amazon 

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Giveaway

Clayton will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn host.

Click on the button below for more fun stops on the blast. And don’t forget to comment. The more you comment, the more chances to win!

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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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