Archive for the ‘apocalypse’ Category

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Blurb:

January 1, 2000.
May 21, 2011.
December 21, 2012

These are just a few of the days humans prophesied as bringing catastrophic events that would end the world. We predicted nuclear warfare. Drastic climate change. A call from God.

We were wrong.

Cue the gargoyle invasion—laboratory bred mutants designed to slaughter humans. When the government goes AWOL and gargoyles are swarming by the hundreds, it’s up to the citizens of the United States to regroup and save themselves.

Meet Cliff Matthews, a teenage boy separated from his entire family with the exception of his younger sister, whom he is desperate to keep alive. Along the quest to save their lives, he encounters people who aren’t all that they seem. Everyday’s a battle, but if he can’t trust his own species, where does that leave his family?

And we can’t forget the man who may be willing to sacrifice Cliff’s life, if it means world domination.

In terms of doomsday, no one could’ve seen this coming.

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My Review

At first I thought this was going to be a simple story. It’s told from the point of view of Cliff, a fifteen year old boy, so I figured it would be uncomplicated. Not so.

This story has heart and well developed characters. I found myself skeptical at times about how Cliff reacted to events. Then I realized this was a young man, protecting his little sister, unsure if his parents are dead or alive, and coping the best he can. At times he seemed almost cowardly, but he wasn’t. He was just acknowledging his fear and then moving past it, becoming a brave young man.

While at the train station with his parents, his older brother, Todd, and his two young sisters, there’s a horrible explosion and Cliff loses track of his family. A mysterious girl rescues him from the fire and he’s able to locate one sister. They rush home to find his useless brother watching TV, seemingly unconcerned about the rest of the family. He did bring their other sister home, but there’s no sign of their missing parents.

When the gargoyles attack in their neighborhood, Cliff bumps into the girl who saved him at the station and along with one of his sisters, they flee.

Be prepared for lots of carnage. These gargoyles are intent on one thing only. Ripping, rending, tearing us to pieces. They don’t turn to stone in the daytime and are near impossible to destroy. Genetically engineered monstrosities bring on a bloody apocalypse.

I became very curious about Hunter. That’s the only name she gave Cliff. She seemed to pop up at opportune times. Close mouthed about herself, Hunter was a mystery to me and I wanted to know more about her.

Todd, the older brother, was a bully and an immature jerk. He heaped abuse on Cliff with gleeful malice and I looked forward to the day he met his downfall.

As these young people try to survive the horrific attacks of the gargoyles and the seeming abandonment by their government to protect them, they discover the gargoyles aren’t the only monsters they have to fear.

It’s important to me that the human dynamics play a big role in an apocalyptic story. If it’s just about what caused it, there’s no depth. How people react, whether good or bad, is true in real life and should be there in fiction.

I found myself putting the book down to take a break and picking it right back up to read a little more. The gargoyles were a nice touch to bring something different to an apocalypse and the characters kept me caring what happened.

4 Stars

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Excerpt

Angel’s chest was rising and falling rapidly as the gargoyles circled them silently. Hunter

had never wanted something more in her entire life than to live for another day. She

couldn’t even entertain the idea of little Angel being gobbled up by the big bad

gargoyle…

She squeezed her eyes shut.

Please, please, please, she chanted silently over and over.

She knew the type of wound a scratch had given Cliff. What type of pain would they

concur on her entire body? Would they eat her right away or save her for dinner? Would

they pluck out her limbs and eat them one by one?

Time stopped as the door creaked open. The gargoyles soundlessly cloaked themselves

back in the shadows. The stairs groaned as someone walked down the stairs without a

care in the world. Hunter could practically hear the gargoyles lick their lips.

She wanted to cry out and warn the person. But it was beyond her control.

That’s what you get for walking down the stairs so loudly. That’s what you get for

walking in the dark during a damn invasion, she reasoned. But her heart was saying

something else.

The person reached the bottom of the stairs. The gargoyles uniformly shifted through the

shadows. “Hey…” he said suspiciously.

He had realized his danger a second too late. He broke into a run, but the gargoyles

would be on him in a second. And he’d be dead.

“C’mon, sweetie.” Hunter whispered to Angel, crawling out from under the stairs.

Ignoring the cries of agony, pain, and sorrow, she raced up the stairs. The wood banged

against her ankles, but she didn’t stop. There was the cruel sound of cracking. Hunter

shielded Angel’s eyes from the scene and dared to look behind her.

The gargoyles were circled around the man. The predominantly bigger gargoyle bit his

neck. A gush of blood spewed across its face. The man’s eyes still stared at her, his

mouth formed in an O, as if he was trying to speak to her.

“I’m so sorry.” She choked.

She hurried up the steps, slamming her body into the door. The light washed over her

body, as did her relief. But her nerves did not settle.

~~~

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About the Author

Being the daughter of an accomplished author, E.S.P. grew up listening to stories and telling her own to classmates. After writing for several years and even publishing some short works, she finally decided to take the plunge to write (plus finish!)a full length novel. Thus, Dawn of the Apocalypse was born. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading books, blogging at whoistheserialreader.blogspot.com, or watching eighties movies.

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Blog Tour Giveaway

One signed copy of Dawn of the Apocalypse and a $10 Amazon Gift Card

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Just Released!!

Check out Alive by Megan D. Martin

A Crave Novel

Now available!

I know. I’ve been reading a lot of zombie books lately. I can’t help it. My favorite part of this genre is the dynamics of the characters. I like reading about how people degenerate or pull together to survive.

Keep reading to learn more about Alive and watch the exciting book trailer.

Remember to enter the giveaway!

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Title: Alive (Crave, #1)

Author: Megan D. Martin

Genre: New Adult Post-Apocalyptic Interracial Romance

Release Date: November 22, 2013

Amazon

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Blurb:

Flesh-eating zombies, dirty sex, and a shattered past…

What’s more dangerous—the man who broke her heart or those trying to eat it?

Fighting to survive, Eve finds herself alone in the world after the Crave—the only parallel of her former life. On the hunt for her sister, she runs into Gage—the first and only boy to have her heart and break it. It’s been four years and he isn’t a boy anymore, nor is he the same person he used to be. Against her better judgment, Eve agrees to stay with him when he divulges information on a safe haven near the small town they grew up in—but that doesn’t mean she has to like it…

Returning home elicits a myriad of emotions that both Eve and Gage thought they had buried. The past and present collide and they are forced to the face bitter deceits that ruined them in the before and threaten to destroy them now…

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About Megan:

Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks. To learn more about Megan, check her out on these social networking sites.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Google+

***

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40 days nights banner

The cover art for Forty Days and Forty Nights reached right out and grabbed me.

Then I read the synopsis, Noah’s Ark written from the perspective of a young woman.

 It’s her adventure and the awkward bloom of young love..

Check out the descriptions and read the excerpt.

You’ll want to read these as much as I do.

Something great too! Forty Days is free.

And there’s a giveaway too!

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Forty Days (Neima’s Ark #1)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: 02/10/13

 

Summary from Goodreads:

The entire village knows Neima’s grandfather is a madman. For years the old man has prophesied that a great flood is coming, a flood disastrous enough to blot out the entire earth. He’s even built an enormous ark that he claims will allow his family to survive the deluge. But no one believes the ravings of a lunatic…

…until the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril. Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?

 

With lions, tigers, and bears oh my, elephants and flamingos too, along with rivalries and betrayals, a mysterious stowaway, and perhaps even an unexpected romance, FORTY DAYS is not your grandfather’s Noah’s Ark story.

 

FORTY DAYS is approximately 45000 words, the length of a shorter novel, and is the first installment in a two-part epic story. It does contain a cliffhanger ending.

 

Readers looking for a traditional, religiously oriented version of the Noah’s Ark story should be warned that FORTY DAYS may not appeal to them. The novel will, however, appeal to lovers of apocalyptic fiction, historical fiction, and romance, as well as anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a baby elephant as a pet.

 

Buy Links:

Forty Days is currently FREE!

Amazon / B&N

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Forty Nights (Neima’s Ark #2)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: September 2013

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.

 

Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon / B&N

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PRAISE FOR THE NEIMA’S ARK SERIES: 

“Stephanie Parent takes a story I would have immediately shrugged off and turned it into a story with a surprising amount of reality and despite being religious based is not at all religious. Stephanie somehow created a paradox… When I think of a word to describe this story I think, layers.  The tension is extremely layered. We get internal tension among the characters, tension relating to the animals, and tension from the storming raging outside. It’s not even supernatural elements, it’s all practical points like food and animal needs. The characters are also well defined and fleshed out.”

–Michelle, In Libris Veritas

 

The romance is slow and imperfect, but it’s realistic and believable. I can honestly say that this love story is one of if not the best one I’ve read so far…a very thrilling read full of some great twists…[the ending] was everything I could have asked for and more, it was a perfect ending to an imperfectly perfect story.

–Zachary Flye, Zach’s YA Reviews

 

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EXCERPT

Shai turns toward the cage and says, “The other dove—he’s rejected Aliye, hasn’t he?  We can’t put her back in that cage now.  We kept them apart for too long.”

“Yes, I—I think so.”  I have the sick feeling that we’ve stepped beyond our place somehow, taking these animals, separating and pairing them off, keeping them caged here.  We do not own these creatures, don’t control them even if we try to—certainly we can’t control the tigers, the jackals, the wolves.  Look what’s happened when we’ve tried to interfere in the lives of just two little birds.

Another thought, less fully formed, tugs at the edges of my consciousness and leaves me feeling even sicker: isn’t this ark really one large, none-too-sturdy cage?  And that question leads to another, more unsettling one: If the ark is a cage, just how much longer can its bars hold us all together?  How long before, within its walls, we tear ourselves apart?

 

About the Author

40 days nights StephanieParent

Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block’s WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.


Author Links:

Blog / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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*GIVEAWAY*

1- ebook of Forty Nights & $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

2- ebook copies of Forty Nights (INT)

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Book Blitz hosted by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the image below.

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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 White Horse

by Alex Adams 

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Tease from page 63

New physiology brought with it change to old patterns. Humans infected with White Horse mutated in unpredictable ways. Ninety percent died. Of the remaining ten percent, maybe half were immune. The other five mutated in a way that was survivable.

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Synopsis

Thirty-year-old Zoe leads an ordinary life until the end of the world arrives. She is cleaning cages and floors at Pope Pharmaceuticals when the President of the United States announces that human beings are no longer a viable species. When Zoe realizes that everyone she loves is disappearing, she starts running. Scared and alone in a shockingly changed world, she embarks on a remarkable journey of survival and redemption. Along the way, Zoe comes to see that humans are not defined by their genetic code, but rather by their actions and choices. White Horse offers hope for a broken world, where love can lead to the most unexpected places.

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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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?

Days With The Undead: Book One

by  Julianne Snow

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It’s a journal of survival.Five people set out to escape the Undead who have risen too close to home. Join the emotional and physical struggle as they began on the third day after the awakening of Brooks VanReit, as they are recorded from the point of view of Julie, a former pathologist and part-time survivalist.Each entry is geared toward helping those who want to help themselves and maybe give a few that don’t a swift kick in the ass.Join our group of survivors on their journey through these Days with the Undead.

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What did you recently finish reading?

Controlling the Dead

by Annie Walls 

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Synopsis

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won’t make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

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What do you think you’ll read next?

Liar’s Harvest

The Emergent Earth, Book Two

by  Michael Langlois

16112803 

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Abe put an end to the threat of the Devourer once and for all.So why does the world keep getting more dangerous?Unsettling events pile up one after another: animal corpses appear on the front porch each night, an abandoned graveyard in the North Carolina woods is now home to something unnatural, and wooden men with eerily familiar faces are spotted lurking in the nearby town of Halfway.Abe finds himself caught in a game set in motion long before the rise of mankind. A game in which even the Devourer was merely a pawn and where losing means the death of every man, woman, and child on earth.Standing with him are the survivors of Belmont: Anne, Chuck, Leon, and his old squadmate, Henry “The Professor” Monroe. Together they intend to hold the line against the encroaching darkness and prove that there are still things in the light to be feared.

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So, whatcha readin?

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Happy days! Halloween may be over but it’s always zombie time on fuonlyknew!

Just check out Emma Shortt’s Waking Up Dead

I’m loving her cover art and the poster makes me think MOVIE!!

I have a fun giveaway for ya too.

You could win a Waking Up Dead T-shirt!

Keep reading to learn all!

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 Waking up Dead

End of Days Love

Book One
Emma Shortt

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Genre: Horror romance

Publisher: Entangled Select

Date of Publication: 22 October 2013

ISBN: 9781622660353 / ASIN: B00BMKRLXG

Number of pages: 372 / Word Count: 104,000

Cover Artist: TK Designs

Amazon /  BN

Book Description:

You know your life has hit rock bottom when you’re living off cooked rats and showering once every few months—if you’re lucky. But for Jackson Hart things are about to get a whole lot worse. When her best friend, Tye, disappears hunting for food, kick-ass Jackson’s ‘head south to safety’ plan looks like it’s dead before it’s even begun. But then she meets ex-mechanic Luke Granger, who takes her to his bunker, feeds her with non-rat based food, and offers her protection against the zombie hordes—not that she needs it. She knows how to use a machete and isn’t afraid to.

Jackson was tempted to stay in the city with her rescuer. Food, shampoo and the possibility of finally getting laid, what more could she ask for? But the flesh eaters are getting smarter and the bunker is compromised, so Jackson and Luke have no choice but to make the journey south.

Luke and Jackson team up to find other humans in a road-trip romance for the ages. They travel for thousands of miles with zombies shadowing their every move. They must utilize every resource at their disposal…and then some. On the way, they discover that even if flesh eating zombies are knocking down their door, there’s always time for sex and even love.

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About the Author:

Image of Emma Shortt

As a kid Emma wanted to be an astronaut, or maybe Captain Janeway. Because she didn’t really think her career choices through very well she ended up in an everyday geek job, crunching numbers and sighing over syntax. It seemed a long way from the stars, and in an effort to escape Emma decided to get serious about her other passion. Writing.

Several years later and Emma has yet to walk on the moon or sit in the Captain’s chair, but she is still writing. She scribbles stories in all sorts of genres, contemporary, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, historical, sci-fi…if she hasn’t tried it yet she will before long. The only common theme is the romance. A hopeless romantic, everything Emma writes has a love story in there somewhere.

She lives on the west coast of England with her very Greek husband and teenage kiddos. Apart from all things geek reading is her main hobby and she likes nothing better than getting home from a hard day at work and curling up with a book, though sometimes she gets home and writes one instead.

www.endofdayslove.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorEmmaShortt

www.twitter.com/EmmaShortt

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Finally, it’s my turn to tell you about Controlling the Dead, but first I’m going to tell you about how I recovered from the emotional storm this book stirred in me.

Tequila! Yep, Tequila will cure what ails ya.

Just pour a shot, then another and …..well you know.

Pretty soon you’re whistlin Dixie and everyone is your friend. You won’t be worrying about being ripped apart by zombies. You’ll be worrying about being the one to get that worm.

Tequila isn’t Tequila without that little worm. I did some research and not wanting to shock you, I didn’t include a close up!

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See. He wants to be your friend.

Now, I prefer my shot of Tequila with a chaser. I like a cold Heineken to help wash it down. After finally reaching that worm, my memory leaves me.

The next morning, the hangover is a killer. If an undead stumbled upon me I couldn’t beat his zombie shuffle. I’d be lucky to be able to open my eyes.

Personally, I think it’s the worm.

~~~

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Available now!

Amazon / B&N

Goodreads

Title: Controlling the Dead (The Famished Trilogy #2)

Author: Annie Walls Published: Oct. 27, 2013

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Blurb:

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won’t make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

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My Review

I’ve been waiting and waiting for this book. Kansas is in my top five of kick butt gals and I missed her. I missed her, and Rudy, and yes, even Mac.

But the Kansas I meet in this book is changed. She’s on the verge of losing it. After all she’s been through I don’t know how she keeps moving forward, but she does, albeit unsteadily. She can’t stand to be idle, to have time to think. So any down time she has she spends plinking zombies.

After Kansas and Reese finally reach New Orleans, and finally get to meet the elusive Mago, they get answers they didn’t count on. And it just gets worse from there.

While Kansas is teetering on the edge of a brain meltdown, Rudy has his own problems, so he’s not much help. And Mac is, well, Mac, so definitely not much help for her there.

There was so much happening that I was on the edge too. The suspense was acute, the violence was awesome zombieness, and the back and forth dialogue was as witty as ever.

Part of the suspense, for me, was waiting to see whether the heat between Rudy and Kansas would be ignited. But, guess that’ll have to wait.

When you do read Controlling the Dead, brace yourself. Annie Walls pulls no punches, keeping you in a perpetual state of suspense and fear, putting you right in the bloody thick of things, and squeezing your heart til you want it to stop.

But don’t.  The author does give you a reprieve at the end. Something from Rudy. You’ll love it! After all, you did survive the book!

When things get this bad, they can only get better, right? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. It’s all in the author’s hands, or mind, and we can only go where she takes us.

5 Freakin Stars!

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Annie Walls

anniewalls

Author of dark fantasy and sub-genres of horror. Voracious Reader and Googler. Lover of dark humor. Horror Buff. Zombie Apocalypse Enthusiast. Loyal Cracked follower. Pinterest Addict. Wife of adoring husband. Mother of a seven year old Bruce Wayne. Cook. Maid. Kisser of boo-boos. Ultimate Time Waster. Perfect Procrastinator. Lolly Gagger. Trubie. Cake Decorator. Tea Drinker. Sculpey Sculptor. Girl Gamer. Perfectionist in the art of Facebook stalking. And now, God help me, a blogger. Oh yeah, and a twitter, twatter, tweeter. Well yeah, I’m one crafty bitch.

Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Blog

Purchase Book One on Amazon!

Taking on the dead

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MY 5 STAR Review

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It’s the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it’s not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

*Not intended for a young audience. Mature content.*

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2 Controlling the Dead Prize Packs!!

Includes a signed copy of Controlling the Dead, swag, and a Famished Trilogy inspired zombie survival kit

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the zombie survival plan below.

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Purchase Controlling Dead in the next 48 hours for the special price of 2.99 and get exclusive bonus content!
Hurry once the offer ends the content will be gone forever.

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Release Day! Controlling the Dead by Annie Walls!

Available now!

Amazon / B&N

Goodreads

Title: Controlling the Dead (The Famished Trilogy #2)
Author: Annie Walls
Published: Oct. 27, 2013

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXQS95eJsME]

**

Blurb:

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won’t make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

~~~~

annie walls signaturelbw

Annie Walls

anniewalls

Author of dark fantasy and sub-genres of horror. Voracious Reader and Googler. Lover of dark humor. Horror Buff. Zombie Apocalypse Enthusiast. Loyal Cracked follower. Pinterest Addict. Wife of adoring husband. Mother of a seven year old Bruce Wayne. Cook. Maid. Kisser of boo-boos. Ultimate Time Waster. Perfect Procrastinator. Lolly Gagger. Trubie. Cake Decorator. Tea Drinker. Sculpey Sculptor. Girl Gamer. Perfectionist in the art of Facebook stalking. And now, God help me, a blogger. Oh yeah, and a twitter, twatter, tweeter. Well yeah, I’m one crafty bitch.

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Taking on the dead

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 MY 5 STAR Review

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It’s the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it’s not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

*Not intended for a young audience. Mature content.*

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I love it when the author writes these short back stories. You get to see behind the scenes and find out about secondary characters that stuck with you.

In my case I am meeting these characters for the first time. I began reading the As The World Dies Series after I read these.

I have to hand it to Rhiannon Frater. She got me addicted to her world and I didn’t just want to read more, I had to! These stories are like Lays potato chips. You can’t read just one.

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As the World Dies: Untold Tales by Rhiannon Frater
Genres: Adult, Horror, Zombies
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UT1
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Synopsis Volume 1:

THE FIRST DAYS: AS THE WORLD DIES introduced Jenni and Katie and their harrowing journey to the makeshift fort in the Texas Hill Country. But theirs is not the only tale to be told. In the first volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
Deep in the Texas Hill Country, a man and his little dog takes refuge in a bed and breakfast located in the hills above a doomed town where an infested rescue center might unleash the hungry undead…
On a deserted highway slicing through the desolation of West Texas, a woman struggles to survive as she faces the horrifying aftermath of the rise of the zombies…
And finally, discover what happens on the first day to Katie’s beloved wife, Lydia, as the world dies…

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My Review

For those of you who haven’t read the As The World Dies Trilogy or even volume one, The First Days, never fear. These three tales only tell us a small part of what is occurring  in The First Days and mainly focuses on a few characters, spotlighting them and giving them their due.

The Broken Heart (Lydia’s Story)

Lydia, Katie’s wife, is already dead in the beginning of the series, but even in death she steals the hearts of fans. This is her story.

It’s a perfect dawn and Lydia is enjoying her morning tea, letting Katie sleep in. Screams from across the lake interrupt the quiet, giving her the willies. But as they don’t continue she puts it from her mind. She doesn’t know it yet, but this will be the last normal morning they share.

This is in the beginning, before the world dies and zombies are everywhere.

The companionship and closeness of these two really made me smile. I knew the outcome wasn’t going to be rosy, but I enjoyed getting to know Katie and Lydia and was so wrapped up in their story I forgot for a while that this was going to end badly. Such is the excellent writing of Rhiannon Frater. My first taste of it and craving more.

Dangerous Highways (Monica’s Story)

This short story takes place between The First Days and Fighting To Survive.

Monica is alone now. She manages to escape El Paso thanks to her dead boyfriends pistol and trusty monster truck. She keeps an eye on the undead kids in the station wagon as she siphons gas to put in her tank.

She’s leaving the memory of his death behind her, like a dust plume behind the truck. Heading to her home town of Ashley Oaks, Texas and her cousin Juan.

She doesn’t know if the town is overrun or even still standing but that’s her plan. She knows how to kill the zombies thanks to all of the movies she’s watched. But that doesn’t make it any easier. It’s a whole other ball game when you come face to face with the unbelievable in real life.

And zombies aren’t the only thing she has to fear. As a woman traveling alone, Monica knows full well the dangers of encountering strangers.

I really like Monica. She’s rough and tough, takes care of business, and makes hard decisions with no hesitation. I could only hope to be half as tough as her.

The Vacation of the Undead (Eric’s Story)

This a quite a bit longer than the first two tales.

Eric is staying at a bed and breakfast with his supermodel girlfriend, Brandy, and his best friend, Pepe, a Jack Russell Terrier.

Eric is wondering if he’s really in love with Brandy, or in love with the idea of her. She’s excellent eye candy on his arm, but she’s not really a nice person. Her true colors come out when the apocalypse begins.

Eric may come across as a bit of a nerd, but he’s smart and has a big heart. He’s also a dog lover and Pepe will steal your heart. Whenever a pet is introduced into a story, it becomes more real to me. It’s strange that we become so upset if harm comes to an animal, and take it in stride sometimes when it’s a human. I guess it’s their innocence and trust that does it.

I would like stories with animals in them to start with a disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the writing of this story. I’m not spoiling it when I say Pepe’s tail is still wagging, as he appears in The First Days and Fighting To Survive.

Rhiannon’s characters are brought to life and fleshed out in these three untold tales and reading these in no way spoiled it for me as I haven’t read the series YET.

I got to know them, like or dislike them, fear for them and cheer for them. Now that I’ve experienced the author’s writing, been sucked into her world, I have to know more. Have to know everything.

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5 STARS

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UT2
Synopsis Volume 2:
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THE FIRST DAYS: AS THE WORLD DIES introduced Jenni and Katie and their harrowing journey to the makeshift fort in the Texas Hill Country. FIGHTING TO SURVIVE: AS THE WORLD DIES continued their story as the two women joined the members of the makeshift fort in Ashley Oaks in the fight for survival against not only zombies, but the evil designs of bandits.
But theirs is not the only tale to be told.
In the second volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
In a nearby town Ken and Lenore have started their regular routine at Ken’s Beauty Salon. A terrible accident brings the undead plague to their front door and soon the best friends are scrambling to escape their overrun town…
Katarina is just finishing her shift at a roadside café when a badly injured man stumbles through the front door. She quickly realizes that to survive she must learn to kill…
And finally, a trapped family must face the fearsome truth that sometimes zombies are not the worst monster they have to fear as the world dies…
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My Review
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The characters in these three untold tales are all in Siege, the third book in the As The World Dies Series. These are their stories.
Revelation (Katarina’s Story)
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Katarina has been in this series from the beginning. This is her story about her first day.
Her story isn’t pretty. The only reason she was even conceived was to grow up and take care of her parents. Her father’s dead now and she’s earning money waitressing at a truck stop in Ashley Oaks, Texas to take care of her sick mother. She doesn’t mind the job though. She’s earning her own money and it gets out of the house.
Dealing with that jerk, Randall, and his wandering hands becomes nothing when the bloodied man stumbles into the cafe, changing her life forever.
Even though Katarina let her mother dominate her, she never appeared weak to me. I felt she was just waiting for something, for an opportunity to come her way, and then she’d discover herself and really shine.
She did discover something. She can kill when she has to, and she’s good at it.
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A Terrible Moment (The Unknown Story)
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All of the stories in The Untold Tales have dark moments. This is darker than most and introduces you to peripheral characters. Not all of them make it and are their own worst enemies.
Debbie is a jealous bitter woman, beaten down by it all. She’s certain her husband is having an affair with his secretary and her jealousy consumes her.
It festers as they are all trapped in the warehouse together. She’s so focused on her thoughts of revenge, she doesn’t even care about her children.
This was an uncomfortable story. I can’t imagined being so self involved as to neglect my children, putting them in danger, and not caring. I was mortified at what she did.
Debbie would be the first one to throw out of the boat if adrift in the sea.
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Friendship in the Time of Zombies (Ken and Lenore’s Story)
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Lenore has no way of knowing that today will changer her life forever. She drags herself out of bed and wanders into the kitchen. Her grandmother has cooked breakfast and, as usual, she’s cooked enough to feed an army. Grabbing a quick bite, she heads off to work at Ken’s Diva Beauty Shop.
Ken may be her boss, but they are best friends and thick as thieves.
I just loved these two. Lenore is a moody one but Ken is bubbly, like champagne.
A small Texas town might not seem like the best place to flaunt his gayness, but Ken could charm the devil and I loved how he needed Lenore as much as she needed him. He was the comic relief for me and I could clearly see him cringing and panicking.
Lenore was something else. She not only had to figure out how to get them both out of there alive, she also had to keep bolstering Ken up, pushing him to man up.
I couldn’t get enough of these two and look forward to encountering them again.
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5 STARS
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UT3
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Synopsis Volume 3:
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In the third volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
Returning to Texas after celebrating his divorce in Vegas, Rune, a biker cursed with the ability to see ghosts, discovers that the world is being taken over by the hungry undead. Soon he realizes he will have to depend on all his abilities to survive not only the ravenous zombies, but the dangerous men lurking on the back roads of Texas.
Senator Paige Brightman abandoned the Madison Mall and its inhabitants to the hungry hordes, but her journey did not end there. Her attempt to reach the president’s safe haven called Central has far reaching ramifications for her and the people she abandoned.
The final in the three stories reveals the aftermath of the great battle in SIEGE as one woman faces the ultimate decision whether to live or die in a world of the undead.
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My Review
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All of the characters in these Untold Tales appear in Siege, the third and final book in the series.
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The Backroads of Zombie Hell (Rune’s Story)
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Now Rune won me over right from the beginning. He brings a spiritual aspect to the story. What happens to the souls of the dead once they become zombies?
He’s a loner until a ghost tells him it’s time to get moving. There’s somewhere he needs to be.
This is where a lot of the characters bump into each other from other Untold Tales.
Rune may look and act like your typical biker. He’s got a mean streak and you don’t want to mess with him.  But he’s also intuitive, guided by spirits, and a really decent guy. It would be good to have him on your side.
The opening scene was deep. The ghost waking him from his drunken stupor is none other than his daughter. I was almost in tears at this sad, gentle moment. I could see how it would be easy to hide away in the hills, isolating oneself from people and drowning your sorrows in booze. Rune lost everyone. But when somethings needs doing, he’s your man.
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The Wickedest Woman in Texas (Paige’s Story)
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It seems there’s always someone who has their own agenda. Someone you just want to b#!ch slap.
In walks Senator Paige Brightman, wicked witch of the apocalypse.
Some people have blinders on and can’t seem to grasp that the world is different, their lives are forever changed, and they try to go about business as usual.
Paige is one of those people. She still thinks her position matters, that what she thinks matters.
Paige needs to get with the program. Her life isn’t any more important than another’s, and her flippant view of collateral damage just may leave her all alone.
I enjoyed having someone to despise, some one to offer up to the zombies. The author does an excellent job of making me feel just that.
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Are the Dead Walking The Earth (Emma’s Story)
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Emma never made it into the As The World Dies series. You’ll only read her story here.
Emma’s story goes beyond the end of the series and shows the aftermath. She shows this to you while telling the story to her two young children.
I think this one hit me the hardest. Rhiannon expertly showed me some disturbing, heart wrenching scenes. I almost wish I could have shut my eyes at times, they were so vivid.
I agree, Emma’s story needed to be told. This may be labeled a zombie apocalypse series, but it’s really a story about people. Everyday people dealing without the end of their worlds, and the beginning of hell on Earth.
I was reduced to tears in the end. It hurt when I cried. I can only imagine how Emma felt.
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5 STARS
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At first I was worried it might not be a good idea to read these untold tales before I read the full novels.
I’m glad I did. Now, when I read the series, which I’m starting now, I’ll recognize these characters, know their back stories, and connect with them instantly.
Reading these first did not spoil anything for me. If anything, it made me want to read this series even more.
If you’re as big a fan of The Walking Dead television series, as I am, you’ll love these Untold Tales.
Thanks to the show ,I immersed myself in this collection. I felt, saw, heard, and, not recommended, smelled everything. It was like each scene played out in my mind. I even had faces for some of the characters.
The author’s choice of titles for each chapter were fun. It gave me an inkling of what I was in for and some of them brought forth an impish grin.
What I enjoyed most about these tales was how each novella had a connection to the others in it. Characters from one tale brush up against each other in other tales, showing different views of the same scenes. I’ve never run into that before and every time a character from one story appeared in another, I was glad to see them.
As I can’t wait to see each new episode of The Walking Dead, I also can’t wait to read more of the As The World Dies Series. I just wish it didn’t have to end!
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As each collection got 5 STARS from me, it would be great if I could give the complete collection 15 STARS. As it doesn’t work that way, I give them an overall rating of 5 STARS. Take a bow Rhiannon. Your Untold Tales rock!
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Purchase Links
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Rhiannon Frater
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Rhiannon
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Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) , as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog),and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dying her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.
You can find her online at:
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

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Two giveaways!

International Giveaway

I have the complete Untold Tales Series, #1 thru 3 (ebooks) to give away.

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Grand prize giveaway
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Prizes: A bookmark, Untold Tales Volume 1-3 in paperback, and an audiobook of Volume 3
Open to US/Can
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Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.
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Check out this cover art. It had me thinking The Hills Have Eyes.

Seriously though, it does make ya really curious doesn’t it?

There’s been an apocalypse. It looks the air is unsafe to breath. And I heard something about monsters!

I’ll be watching for this come December. I’m looking forward to meeting the characters and experiencing Shauna’s writing.

WOA (1)

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World of Ash
by Shauna Granger
Release Date: 12/2013
Book Summary:
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There are two inherent truths in the world: life as we know it is over, and monsters are real.
The Pestas came in the night, spreading their pox, a deadly plague that decimated the population. Kat, one of the unlucky few who survived, is determined to get to her last living relative and find shelter from the pox that continues to devastate the world. When it mutates and becomes airborne, Kat is desperate to avoid people because staying alone might be her only chance to stay alive.
That is, until she meets Dylan. Dylan, with his easy smile and dark, curly hair, has nowhere to go and no one to live for. He convinces Kat there can be safety in numbers, that they can watch out for each other. So the unlikely couple set off together through the barren wasteland to find a new life – if they can survive the roaming Pestas, bands of wild, gun-toting children, and piles of burning, pox-ridden bodies.

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Shauna

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

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