Archive for the ‘fiction’ Category

Undermountain and Afterlife / Reviews and Giveaway

Posted: November 10, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Science Fiction, Series, YA
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I have a fantastic series to tell you about. The Undermountain Saga.

I’ll be reviewing Undermountain, Book One and Afterlife, Book Two. I tried not to put in any spoilers for book two. Just teased you a bit. And I also have a giveaway for you. US/Canada only.  Details are after my reviews.

Undermountain

by Eric Edstrom

Undermountain (The Undermountain Saga, #1)

It starts normally enough. Six teen-agers and their guide,  Harvin, are on a grand adventure, camping in the wilds of Canada. Harvin is gruff and unfriendly but very knowledgeable about the Rockies and its dangers. The kids are from all walks of life and couldn’t be more different. This trip is going to be interesting.

While collecting water Danny and Breyona see something amazing.  Racing along is this two-headed creature with four pointy legs and right behind him is this huge hairy beast best described as a Bigfoot. When Danny tells the group what they witnessed, the other kids laugh it off as a joke.

When they discover giant footprints on the bank of the stream, their guide passes them off as bear tracks. But Shiv isn’t so sure of that. He has books on the flora and fauna of the Rockies and can’t find anything that matches the prints.

Danny and Breyona have another close encounter with the hairy bigfoot when it fishes Danny out of the stream, saving his life. They run away and hide in the woods, stopping to spy on the creature. It’s not chasing them. Instead it’s pacing back and forth on the bank, holding it’s hand to its head and muttering to itself. No wait, it’s talking into a cell phone and it’s speaking English.

It’s not long before everyone has a close encounter. The four-legged creatures, called Shriekers, which I visualize as the bugs from Starship Troopers, are hungry and they hunt as a pack. The kids are on the menu and running for their lives. Separated from their guide they are quickly surrounded and things look really bad. Seemingly from out of nowhere a bigfoot appears and quickly subdues several of the shriekers. He doesn’t kill them. Instead he calms them somehow.

Several more of the hairy creatures take care of the rest of the pack and turn their attention to the humans. Then, the one Danny recognizes from before speaks, “Be at ease. I cannot harm you.”

Definitely not a bigfoot!

Here are a couple quotes I really liked:

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you about … bigfoot,” Wa said. “But you need to work on your delivery.”

– A barrage of swearing came flying in. Breyona. “I’m gonna kill you, and after I kill you, I’m gonna kill you again. I’m gonna keep on killing you until your dead. Do you hear me, you furball?”

Everyone will love this story. It’s action packed, you’ve got alien creatures and a huge secret. I wish I could tell you more. I really want to, but that would be spoiling it.

One scene in particular sticks in my mind. It ‘s when they base jump from a cliff and the cliff is inside the mountain. Can you just picture it?

The author does a beautiful job of describing this secret world, you’ll feel like you’re there. I’d love to visit.

Anyone looking for a grand adventure will love Undermountain. It’s so well written, flows seamlessly and rushes along to a great ending. There’s never a dull moment and I eagerly turned each page, excited to see what was coming next. That’s what makes this story so great. There’s always something new and surprising and it makes me wish I could be there.

         I loved it and you will too.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8j926g4C1A]

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And now for my next review.

Afterlife

Book two

Afterlife (The Undermountain Saga, #2)

I really love the cover art for these books. They compliment the stories and are just incredible.

All of my favorite characters are back, human and hairy. And of course, since there’s a second book, you know our hero’s will be seeing their alien friends and enemies again.

It’s been more than six months since they returned from  the mountain, bringing something away with them that’s changed them forever.

Now they are having a reunion of sorts. All meeting up again at Danny’s grandma’s house.

I can’t wait for you to meet Grandma. She is amazing and I just love her. So much character in such a tiny, frail looking body. You’ll see what I mean.

Everyone is there except for Breyona. She’s running late. Then the doorbell rings.

Danny froze as a surge of excitement filled him. The doorbell rang again, followed by two sharp knocks.

“Are you going to stand there like a lump or are you going to open the door?” Grandma asked.

Danny smiled. It had to be Breyona. He turned the knob.

The door smashed into his face and sent him stumbling backward. He tripped and fell over the porcelain frog and landed hard on his back.

A man wearing a black track suit and gas mask barged in. “Okay, nobody move.”

Another man in a gas mask rushed in and pointed a spray can at Danny.

Grandma stepped forward and kneed Track Suit in the groin. He bent double, swearing in a high-pitched rasp.

“Sit on him, Bronson,” Grandma said.

Didn’t I tell you. You can’t help but want to hug her. She is such a tough old bird. But not tough enough. They all succumb to the gas.

Breyona is four hours late when she finally pulls up to Grandma’s house. Once everyone is awakened, they discover that Danny and Wa are missing.

The whole thing was caught on security cameras and they watched it play out on Grandmas computer. The men came there looking for something Danny had. Something they needed badly.  And they got it. They take the unconscious Danny and bring Wa along for leverage.

It looks like the enemy isn’t done with them and it’s time to go back under the mountain.

This time they may not be so lucky.

Eric is at it again. Filling the pages with excitement, danger, intrigue and plenty of humor. This series is so addicting. And it just keeps getting better. He builds this incredible secret society, fills it with amazing creatures, and opens you up to a whole new world. I swear I can hear the sounds of this city and see all the wonders with my own eyes.

It’s a fast read from beginning to end, pulling you along with it. You won’t want to stop until you reach the conclusion, and maybe not even then.

           Still lovin it!

Great news for you. There will be more!

And now for the giveaway. Eric is offering two paperback copies of Undermountain. US/Canada only.

To enter is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Do you believe bigfoot exists?”

Giveaway ends November 24th.

Not required but I’d love it if you followed me on twitter and my blog

You can find Eric’s contacts below.

Did you like this post? Please hit that tweet and like button! Thank you.

For all of my giveaways go here

About the Author

Eric is an author, songwriter, husband, father, and guitarist. He is the author of Undermountain and Afterlife, the first two entries in YA science fiction series The Undermountain Saga.

Eric loves working out with kettlebells and eating pretty much anything with peanut butter.

Eric has a featured article just published: http://www.kalkion.com/news/1736/scie…

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5408492.Eric_Edstrom

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ekedstrom

Facebook.com/erickentedstrom

www.ericedstrom.com

Newest release

To order any of these books, just click on the cover.

The photo and comments of Shaggy below, were copied from Eric Kent Edstrom’s blog.

Is This Hanameesovenama (aka Shaggy)?

The brilliant concept artist Cristof Grobleski created this stunning conceptual image of Hanameesovenama, one of the villains from The Undermountain Saga.
Hanameesovenama, of the bigfoot Council of the Strict (click for bigfoot sized view)

View more of Christof’s wonderful artwork here.

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The Legend Has Been Unleashed!

Posted: November 8, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Alert!!, Book Promos, fiction, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Release day, werewolves
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Happy Release Day!

Legend Unleashed

by M Latimer Ridley

Add to Goodreads

When an infamous criminal is unleashed from his prison, it has consequences for everyone in Carwick. Temperance Levinthal in particular…

Temperance is satisfied with her ordinary life. Dealing with her eccentric, childlike parents is all the excitement she needs. That changes when Alastair Byron returns home.
After a failed matchmaking attempt by her father, sparks fly between her and Alastair-just not the good kind.
They are forced together though, when they are implicated in a grisly murder. Their search for the truth leads them to a secret world beneath Carwick, filled with werewolves, wizards and other magical faey.
However, uncovering the truth is far more dangerous than they’d ever imagined.
There are secrets within secrets.
Even Alastair may be more than he seems…

I’m reading this right now and will be back to tell you all about it real soon!

About the authors

Latimer (Karen) and Ridley (Rachel) are two eccentric best friends with far too many obsessions and a frightening addiction to tea. When they aren’t reading stories filled with magic, passion and adventure, they’re writing them. A writing duo for the last nine years, they’ve always dreamed of sharing their imaginary worlds and quirky characters with others. While they live in Ireland, they would love to spend their lives travelling the world. But for now, they can be found happily wandering the internet.

Website: www.mlatimerridley.com

Get your copy by clicking on the image below! A copy is waiting for you.

Going Rogue!

Posted: November 7, 2012 in Action/Adventure, fiction, otherworldly, reviews, Science Fiction, Series, Space Opera, suspense
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Rogue Hunter : Inquest

by Kevis Hendrickson

Rogue Hunter: Inquest

This is not my normal genre to read. That said, I am happy I read Rogue Hunter: Inquest.

I like a character driven story and the protagonist,Zyra, is a powerful character.

Zyra needs money badly.  Her solution is to break Boris Skringler out of prison. As a bounty hunter, she would get a tidy reward to help clear her debts.

Boris is in prison on New Venus, a planet consisting only of women . No men are allowed there and he’s caught. Guess his disguise as a woman wasn’t too convincing. Next stop for him is execution.

Zyra follows Boris and is caught breaking him out of prison and ends up locked up herself.

Now the war that’s been looming has come to New Venus and  everyone must fight to survive.

I don’t normally read space operas so I wasn’t too sure whether I’d like this or not. I enjoyed it very much, mostly because of how well it was written. Kevis was able to show me a new world, a world where men are not wanted or needed. The women are able to thrive and procreate without a male counter-part. It is actually quite believable and reminded me of Amazon women a bit.

The author writes Boris as the “bad guy” in the story and does it convincingly. For some reason, I found I really connected with him. His personality is strong and he’s quite the character.

There’s a history between Zyra and Boris and it’s explored anew in this story. However, it’s not the main focus here. Zyra also has a female lover which causes a lot of emotional conflict for her. She has some hard decisions to make, ones that could end the lives of so many people.

I really connected with Zyra and liked her immensely. She is strong and determined, but has self-doubts, which made her genuine for me.

The story starts  a little slow, but once the action starts it never stops and races super fast to the conclusion. You do get a cliff-hanger at the end, but to me , it’s just the tease I need to read more of the series. My questions were answered and I was left smiling.

My rating is all about the writing with this book. I didn’t think I’d like this book, but I did and that says a lot about the author. Thanks Kevis, for getting me to read outside the box. Look what I’d have missed.

     

About the author and where to find him:

Kevis Hendrickson is an aspiring filmmaker who has penned three full-length novels, one novella, one epic poem, and eight short stories. Hendrickson lives in sunny Miami, Florida U.S.A.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

You can find all of Kevis Hendrickson’s books here

Chosen – Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1/ Giveaway and Review

Posted: November 6, 2012 in Action/Adventure, comedy, Excerpt, fiction, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series, Vampires
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GREAT NEWS! Barbara has added a paperback to the giveaway so now there are two chances to win. Everyone already entered will be eligible for this too.

Chosen

The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy #1

by Barbara Ellen Brink

Chosen (Amish Bloodsucker trilogy, #1)

I  love the cover art for this book.  I just knew it was going to be a fun read, and it was! I mean,  Amish blood sucking vampires, now you know that’s going to be fun!

Jael is The Chosen One. She is descended from a long line of slayers. It’s her duty to save the Loon Lake Amish Community, which has been infiltrated by Bishop and his pack of vampires. He wants her dead before her 16th birthday, when she’ll come into her full slayer abilities.

Her parents, Miriam and Jesse, were forced to leave Minnesota when Miriam discovered she was pregnant. They knew she was carrying the next Chosen One and have been running ever since. Always moving, staying isolated, never in one place too long.

Jael never understood why they lived so far away from everyone, why she was never allowed to have friends over.

Jesse, Jael’s father, has trained her in martial arts and slaying with stakes for as long as she can remember. It’s only recently that she even knew she was Amish and The Chosen.

With the help of her uncle Seth, Jael goes on her first hunt.

“Well don’t just sit there….. We have vamps to stake.”

A slow smile turned up his lips and he climbed out too.

Her dad had fashioned her a leather tool belt with enough loops to hold six stakes, two on each side and two in the back. She slipped it on around her waist and filled every loop with a pointy, curved stake. Inside the top of each of her boots she slipped a four-inch blade. She picked up the crossbow. It this isn’t enough firepower……

Could you picture her doing this in a long dress, apron and prayer cap. That would be a hindrance for sure! Luckily her parents don’t make her wear traditional Amish garb.

A quirky thing about The Chosen. They are all born with six toes on one foot. Jael’s parents had hers removed as an infant to disguise who she was. When the vamps are near, her phantom toe gives her a painful warning. This comes in useful.

Brianna is Jael’s best friend and couldn’t be more different.

If lives were fairy tales, Brianna would reign supreme as a Walt Disney princess, while Jael would live in the darker Grimm Brother’s version  where survival meant slaying dragons on a daily basis.

There are rumors going around at school that Jael lives in a commune and is a sister wife. Brianna has seen her bruises and believes she is being abused. A time will come when Jael will have to tell her the truth. But not yet.

Shadow is the “bad boy” personified. The one all mothers warn their daughters about, with a piercing gaze, lanky good looks and  a mouth full of sarcasm. He has an unusual effect on Jael. Not a romantic one, instead his proximity makes her nauseous. It appears there is more to Shadow than meets the eye.

Then there’s Bruno, a huge wolf hound and loyal companion of Jael’s. They seem to have a special connection.  She can get him to do some really fun tricks. He’s also a great deterrent considering he’s the size of a small horse.

Jael’s 16th birthday is coming soon and the vampires are searching high and low for her. Thet need her dead before she comes into her full slayer abilities, while Jael has no clue what the powers will be. She is going to need all the help she can get if she’s going to be ready to go after Bishop and his bloodsuckers.

I really like Jael. Barbara was able to make her a typical teen, with everyday worries and baggage, and also with a secret life as a vampire slayer, and made it believeable and really fun.

The bloodsuckers are nasty, Jael is double tough, her family is fiercely devoted and her friends are loyal.

There are some tender moments in this story and a whole lot of humor. You’d expect that with the title Amish Bloodsuckers! It’s all in good fun, but there is some serious slaying too! Jael didn’t go through all of that training for nothing. I felt some Buffy and Little Red Riding Hood in this story.

Chosen is well written, fast-paced and easy to follow. I like how Barbara was able to keep it simple with so much going on. It could have been complicated, but she feeds you the story in bites that are easy to chew. I’m hungry for more.

        A whole lot of fun!

I’ve just finished reading Shunned – Book Two and will be telling you about it soon. And more news! Book Three is coming very soon.

Excerpt from CHOSEN:

“Jael?” Brianna was watching her with a puzzled expression on her face. “Are you all right? You seem sort of out-of-it.” She closed her locker, her history book in the crook of her arm.

“Yeah, just tired. Up late last night,” Jael said, dropping her book bag in the bottom of her locker and sliding out the book she needed for first class – Trigonometry. Ick. She’d rather smell a rotting corpse on a warm night than solve math problems.

“Okay…well… I’ll see you later, right?” She backed up a couple of steps, holding her gaze as though Jael would disappear again as soon as she let her out of her sight.

“Sure.”

Brianna smiled, then turned and hurried down the hall toward Mr. Stanton’s history class. Jael watched her go, feeling as though she was losing the only real friend she’d ever had, and there was nothing she could do about it. She saw Marti stop Brianna outside the history classroom to say something and then they both laughed and went into class together.

Jael slammed her locker shut and twisted the combination lock. She couldn’t go on this way much longer. Kicking vampire butts at night and pretending to be an average girl during the day was just taking too much out of her. She wasn’t cut out to live a double life. She wanted to be normal. If only she could be like Brianna, have parents that were nerdy scientists, a baby brother who was already taking college classes cause he tested out of third grade and was considered a genius. Okay, maybe Brianna’s family wasn’t that “normal” but still.

“Hey, Jael,” a male voice whispered close to her ear.

She twisted around and was a tenth of a second from crushing the guy’s windpipe with the heel of her hand when she realized it was just Lyle standing there. She dropped her arms and blew out a confused breath.

“You scared me,” she lied, a flimsy excuse for cover.

“Sorry.” He backed up a step, as though sensing his near demise. “Just wanted to see if you were coming to the exhibition game against the Redville Scorpions tonight. Some of us are going out afterwards for burgers. Thought you might like to come along. Hang out. Have some fun.” He narrowed his eyes. “You live way out in the desert somewhere, don’t you? Like in a commune or something?”

“What?”

“It’s cool. I don’t mind.” He smiled, and stepped closer, leaning in against the lockers with one hand. A wave of minty fresh breath wafted over her. He was always sucking on those Altoids. Curiously strong indeed.

“Good to know,” she said, basking in the warmth of his gaze. The blonde basketball star could believe she lived in a cave in Afghanistan if he wanted to, as long as he looked at her like that.

“So…?” He leaned closer, pinning her against the lockers with the heat of his eyes and another wave of peppermint.

She smiled back. “I was thinking about coming to the game.”

“Cool. I’ll see you tonight then,” he said, and pushed off from the locker. He winked and walked away to join a group of guys waiting at the end of the hall.

Her arms and legs felt paralyzed as though she’d been shot with a tranquilizer dart. At least how she imagined it would feel to be shot with a tranquilizer dart. She forced herself to move, to look away from the group of guys and walk in the opposite direction. She couldn’t let Lyle know that he set her heart racing just by speaking to her and that her skin tingled with electricity at his proximity. He would think she was some crazy, stalker girl – someone to avoid, not date.

The bell rang as she slowly moved toward the trigonometry room. Her legs refused to hurry, regardless of being tardy. She paused outside the door, listening to the sound of voices and laughter and scraping chairs as kids settled down for class. Mr. Winchester’s gruffy baritone rang out calling for attention.

Jael suddenly realized the predicament she’d shoved herself into. Since when had she ever thought about going to a game, much less believe her parents would allow her to be out of their sight that long? She blew out a frustrated breath. Since a hot guy asked her out on a date–that’s when. She had to get into town for the game tonight. It was her only chance to be normal. If it were up to her parents and Uncle Seth, the only socializing she’d ever do would be with undead creatures in the dark of night.

This was a once in a lifetime. She never thought Lyle would give her the time of day much less invite her out for burgers. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a real date; just a group thing. But it was a start.

Barabara has given me one e-book of Chosen to giveaway!

Bonus! Barbara is also giving away a paperback copy! For those who have already enterewd, you’re eligible to win this also!

It’s east to enter. Just leave your email address and answer this question: “What would you use to kill an Amish vampire?”

Giveaway ends November 20th.

Book Description

Chosen (Book One)

The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy

With tongue firmly in cheek and genuine Amish-made stakes at hand, The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy sets off like a bat in the belfry. Jael the vampire slayer is ready to kick some serious bloodsucker butt. Seriously.

Move over Buffy – there’s a new slayer in town! Raised in the desert of Nevada, and destined for the Minnesota Loon Lake Amish Community, Jael Shetler is the Chosen One.

Trained by her uncle and father in twenty-one different forms of hand-to-hand combat – she also throws a knife with the speed of a bullet, and is accurate to within two centimeters of a cold, dead heart with her crossbow – she is a bloodsucker’s worst nightmare.

Her parents, forced to leave their plain and simple upbringing to escape the clutches of the new Bishop – an ancient and powerful vampire with plans to use the Amish Community as his own personal Jamba Juice – raise and train their daughter to continue the fight begun thousands of years earlier by another Jael, and to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of the Shunned.

Soon Jael is turning sweet sixteen and then … all hell will break loose.

Barbara Ellen Brink is a multi-published author of mystery and suspense. She lives with her husband and their two mutts in the great state of Minnesota where mosquitoes are the only bloodsuckers she’s actually ever seen. This is Barbara’s first foray into the world of Amish and Vampires – both of which scare her – but it isn’t the last. The 2nd book in The Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy – SHUNNED – is now available. The 3rd book – RECKONING – will be available for Thanksgiving!

CHOSEN is available now in kindle and paperback until Dec 31st and then will be available in all ebook formats as well.

Purchase CHOSEN here:

Createspace paperback https://www.createspace.com/4032836

Amazon kindle/paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JYT3B0

Purchase SHUNNED here:

Createspace paperback https://www.createspace.com/4041332

Amazon kindle/paperback http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VQIXF8

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shunned-barbara-ellen-brink/1113600422?ean=2940015877427

Author Website/blog: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com

Amish Bloodsuckers website: http://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEllenBrink

Twitter: BarbaraEBrink

You can purchase these books by clicking on the images below.

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It’s time for the winners of Special Offers!

Posted: November 2, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, comedy, fiction, giveaways, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance, Series, Winners!
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Time to announce the winners!

I can’t believe how incredible the response has been! Huge thanks to everyone for your comments. I really enjoyed reading them. Also, I want to thank M. L. Ryan for allowing me to host this awesome giveaway and for a really good story.

The winners of Special Offers are:

Winner of Paperback: Christina

Winner of e-book: Stephanie Grego

Winner of e-book: Penumbra

Congratulations!

I have emailed the winners and forwarded their information to the author. She will contact you about your prizes!

You can purchase Special Offers by clicking on the image below or in the left hand sidebar.

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I have winners! Night of the Chupacabra.

Posted: November 2, 2012 in Contests, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, horror, Series, Videos, Western, Winners!
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And now for the fun stuff. Announcing the winners!

This has been a great giveaway! I want to thank Michael Hebler for letting me host this. And I want to thank everyone for your comments and helping make this a huge success.  Okay, I’ll get to it!

Winners of Night of the Chupacabra:

Winner of Paperback: Emma Meade

Winner of e-book: John Z

Happy Dance:) I have emailed the winners and forwarded their contact information to the author. He will contact you about your prize.

You can purchase your copy of Night of the Chupacabra by clicking on the image below.

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Witch Blood is finally here!

Posted: November 2, 2012 in Book Promos, Creatures, fiction, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Release day, reviews, Romance, Series, Shifters, Vampires, werewolves
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Look at what I’m reading! It’s Witch Blood : Vampire in the City (Book Three). And it’s now available for everyone!

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For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Vampire in the City series and for those of you that, like me, have been anxiously waiting, Witch Blood is now available! You can purchase a copy of all three books in the Vampire in the City series by clicking on the images in the left hand sidebar.

I’m thrilled to hear there will be a fourth book in this awesome series, Cold Blood. This is great news!

Here’s a bit about the book:

Vampire Emma Hammond and her best friend and roommate Tammy Torres have rarely had a disagreement, but that’s all about to change. Apart from hating each other’s boyfriends, the duo have more monumental problems to deal with, like controlling Emma’s growing and increasingly dangerous bloodlust and trying to get blood stains out of the carpets. And when new witch Tammy joins a coven whose leader’s lust for power knows no bounds, Emma is unwittingly pulled into their plan.
I’ve read the first two books in this series and absolutely loved them! Let me show you.
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New Blood

Emma Hammond is a normal young woman living in New York City whose life changes forever when one misstep brings her very close to death. Luckily, Alex Thompson, a handsome stranger (who also happens to be a vampire), jumps in to save her, turning Emma into a vampire. She quickly discovers the numerous advantages (no more allergies, glasses, or acne) and slight drawbacks (wanting to eat her boyfriend) of joining the ranks of the creatures of the night. But Emma soon finds out her new undead life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when she gets pulled in to an age-old dispute between two feuding vampire clans.

You can read my review here

Loved it!!

Wild Blood (Vampire in the City #2)

Recently-turned vampire Emma Hammond is not only getting used to her undead lifestyle, but also to living with her new and unlikely roommates–her human best friend Tammy, and David, a werewolf. While the girls speculate as to possible drawbacks to having such a fuzzy tenant (shedding and marking of territory, to name a few), nothing will prepare them for the dispute that is to come between the NYC clan of vampires and an upwardly-mobile werewolf pack from the suburbs. Will Emma be able to get out of it with both her undead life, and her blossoming friendship with David, intact? And, perhaps more importantly, will she be able to choose between Alex Thompson, her sire and sometimes lover, and James, a slightly-unhinged vampire with a mysterious past?

You can read my review here

  Loved it! Howling for more!

Donna also was so generous and allowed me to have a giveaway for each book and she took time out from her busy schedule to sit down for an interview. She also let the roomies stop in for an interview. We had a lot of fun and I hope to have Donna and the girls back again!

 

About the author and where to find her
Donna Ansari was born in New York City and has lived there for most of her life. Donna graduated from Pace University with a BA in Literature and Communications. Since then, she has been working as an editor, primarily in the field of medical education.
Donna lives in Queens with her husband, son, and large black cat. She is not currently aware of any vampires in her neighborhood.
Tp purchase New Blood ,  Wild Blood and Witch Blood,  just click on the images on the left hand sidebar.
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Interview with Carlie M A Cullen author of Heart Search

Posted: October 31, 2012 in Blog Tour, Excerpt, fiction, Guest Post, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series, Vampires
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I’m sorry to see the Blog Tour for Heart Search is coming to an end. But, I’m thrilled to be a part of it and what better day than Halloween. So pull up a chair and stay for a “spell.” (Pun intended!)

Congratulations on your debut release of Heart Search. Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your Blog Tour Carlie. I’m thrilled to be able to help spread the word for your wonderful book.

Thank you, Laura. It’s been an exciting time, that’s for sure! It’s me who should be thanking YOU for taking part in the Blog Tour, not the other way around – I’m honoured that you wanted to be involved and your support means a great deal. I’m so happy you liked my book – as a writer that’s the best validation of my work.

I know you’re very busy so let’s get started with our interview shall we?

Absolutely! Fire away!

Could you please tell us something about your book and what inspired the story?

Sure. Heart Search: Lost is about a young couple, Remy and Joshua, who are on the verge of getting married. Joshua gets bitten by a vampire and begins to change. When he hurts Remy twice, he can’t live with what he’s done to her and disappears a couple of days before the wedding leaving just a note.

Remy is understandably distraught and after encouragement from her twin sister, decides to try and find him. She embarks on a long, lonely journey where strange things begin to happen.

In the meantime, Joshua has transformed into an immortal, found his maker and is introduced to coven life and feeding from humans. He also discovers he possesses some amazing talents. He becomes embroiled in coven politics and a power struggle ensues leaving him literally fighting for his life.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger.

As for what inspired the book, it was actually gifted to me by my Muse. She plonked the idea in my head one day and as I was thinking about how I could write it, Remy and Joshua stormed into my head and demanded I tell their tale. They were very persistent and wouldn’t leave me alone until I agreed. Once I started writing, they took over – they wanted the story told their way.

A question I keep forgetting to ask. How did you pick the time period for your book?

I didn’t pick it – Remy and Joshua did. They told me it was set in ‘present day’ and wouldn’t let me deviate from it. When I was thinking about how I would write it (before my two MC’s charged in), I was mulling over some of the advice I’d read about writing what you know so I think I’d have written it the way they wanted anyway.

Did you write Heart Search on your computer or the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. and do you have a ritual when writing?

I do all my writing on my laptop. The only time I use pen and paper is when I’m out and get some inspiration, I jot it in the notebook I always carry with me.

I don’t really have any rituals as such. I usually make sure I have a fresh cup of tea by my side and as my computer is waking up I close my eyes and ask my Muse to guide me and that’s about it.

Assuming you have time, what are you reading now?

Funnily enough, I’ve read more in the last four weeks than I have for the last 2-3 months. This is mainly due to the fact that I can’t sit for very long at the moment and have to lie almost flat for a while a couple of times a day, so when lying down, I’ve been reading.

At the moment I’m reading ‘Dead Until Dark’ by Charlaine Harris (the first in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series). I’m hooked on the TV show (I wonder why that is – maybe it’s got something to do with vampires. [laughs]) and now I’ve started on the books.

Do you have a favorite genre you like to read?

Oh, that’s an easy one – fantasy &/or paranormal.

Do you get most of your books from a book store or on-line, and do you prefer physical copies or e-books?

I like to support book stores as much as possible and they are my first choice. I much prefer printed copies to e-books – there’s just something about being able to touch the paper and the smell of a book. Although I do read from my Kindle and can see the portability advantages, give me a paperback any day!

Can you tell us where you’re at with the rest of the series?

Are you trying to get a spoiler from me, Laura? [Laughs] Tough luck! I’m keeping it securely under wraps for now. I have started writing book two in the series and am at the beginning of chapter fourteen. I’ve had to put it on the back burner whilst doing the Blog Tour, but I’m going to be a NaNoWriMo rebel and use the month to write my 50,000 words for the second book. My plan is to finish the chapter I’ve started and begin NaNoWriMo from chapter fifteen – no cheating that way!

How did you celebrate your debut release of Heart Search?

If my circumstances had been different I might have had a party, but having had surgery on my spine ten days before the launch, it wouldn’t have been a good idea. I was still on medication so couldn’t drink alcohol either (damn it!). [Chuckles]. My daughter and I had a lovely meal, just the two of us and some non-alcoholic drinks to clink glasses with. It was a lovely evening.

Is there anything else you would care to share with us?

Ooo now there’s a leading question. This could take me in all sorts of random directions . . . Hmmm, well I could share that I’m in the early planning stages of the book I intend to write after the Heart Search series is finished. It will be a fantasy novel in honour of the lovely lady I use as my avatar. She gives me lots of inspiration and I think she deserves her own book. I’ve got some serious world-building to plan and magic systems to create before I start writing it though.

Five Fun Shorts!

Favorite Junk Food?

Easy one! Pizza – preferably Hawaiian, with loads on juicy pineapple on it. And it has to be deep pan too.

If you could be an animal, what would you be?

Not so easy – I’m stuck between two. I love dogs, but particularly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (I had one as a child and she was beautiful) and I also love Dolphins with a passion. Hmmm, I think I’ll go with a Dolphin – the thought of discovering the depths of the ocean and all the beauty which lies there coupled with the possibility of swimming with mermaids and mermen is very attractive right now.

Favorite Holiday?

I have to say, I love Christmas. I still get a big kick out of watching my daughter open her gifts on Christmas morning, even though she’s in her twenties now. I love decorating the house and the dream of actually having a white Christmas. I also love the traditional yuletide drinks and fare.

Do you prefer your movie theater popcorn buttered or not buttered?

Ah, we have different popcorn over here in the UK. We have sweet or slightly salty popcorn in our movie theatres (we call them cinemas) and I prefer sweet.

How do you like your steak cooked?

a) rare – it could moo

b) medium rare

c) medium

d) medium well

e) well done – tough as cowhide!

I like mine well done, but NOT as tough as cowhide (and if it’s cooked right, it shouldn’t be)!

Thanks for fitting me into your busy schedule Carlie. I’m looking forward to more great reading from you in the future.

Thank you so much for inviting me here today, Laura. I’ve had a great time answering your questions and I hope your followers enjoy reading about me. Now where’s that cup of tea you promised me??

You can read my 5 star review of Heart Search here .

Guest post with short story by Carlie here .

Excerpt from Heart Search here

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing. She has been an administrator and marketer all her working life and is also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

Carlie has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This is being launched 8th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and work has started on book two: Heart Search: Found. She writes mainly in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for YA, New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a professional editor.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. Their first anthology was published September 2012.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

http://carliemacullen.com/

http://twitter.com/carlie2011c

You can purchase your copy of Heart Search (Book One: Lost)  by clicking the links below.

Amazon US http://amzn.to/OLwU59

Amazon UK http://amzn.to/PhC0Gu

When Joshua Grant vanishes days before his wedding his fiancée Remy is left with only bruises, scratch marks and a hastily written note. Heartbroken, she sets off alone to find him and begins a long journey where strange things begin to happen.

As Joshua descends into his new immortal life he indulges his thirst for blood and explores his superhuman strength and amazing new talents while becoming embroiled in coven politics which threaten to destroy him. But Remy discovers a strength of her own on her quest to bring Joshua home.

Fate toys with mortals and immortals alike, as two hearts torn apart by darkness face ordeals which test them to their limits

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The Bottom of the Food Chain / Animal Kingdom

Posted: October 30, 2012 in Action/Adventure, apocalypse, Creatures, fiction, horror, reviews, Short stories and collections, thriller
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8

Animal Kingdom:

by Iain Rob Wright

Animal Kingdom

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I just recently finished reading ZOO by James Patterson, so when I spotted this book I was curious. Zoo was a fun read. I’ll be reviewing it soon.

With Animal Kingdom I got everything I was expecting and more!

It was supposed to be a special day. Since the divorce, Danny really missed his dad and had ants in his pants when he found out Joe was taking him to the zoo. Joe was just glad to have his son with him. It didn’t matter what they did but he knew Danny would love the animals.

Everything is great until the reptile show starts. The handler has a giant boa constrictor wrapped around his body. While he tells the gathering crowd about the snake it suddenly begins to wrap its thick coils around his neck, constricting and crushing the man. Joe does his best to help him,  but the snake is too strong and time runs out for the handler.

The crowd panics and runs in all directions, horrified by the grotesque killing. As Joe grabs Danny and rushes to get help, he notices people are screaming and running from all directions. They couldn’t all have been at the exhibit.  Then all of the animals start making a racket. Something bad is happening elsewhere in the zoo.

Deciding to get inside, away from whatever is occurring, Joe ducks into the new visitor’s center. Most people were running for the exits, but Joe had to get Danny to safety quickly. There were several people inside, along with the zoo’s curator. The curators protestations that an animal attack couldn’t be happening are cut short. When Joe turns to see what he’s looking at, he can’t believe what he’s seeing. There in the doorway are four massive lions, snarling and revealing their thick fangs,  dripping with blood.

This is where the story really cranks up. The animals, for some unknown reason, have gained intelligence and have turned on mankind. From the lowly spiders to the gigantic elephants, they all want everyone dead.

The diverse group of people trapped in the visitor’s center are safe for the moment, or so they think. The animals won’t be denied, and find ways to get in. How the individual characters react to this is very interesting. As you’d expect, there are the one or two bad apples that think their way is the only way, you have an older woman spouting prophecy, a young girl without her medication, Joe, whose main concern is his son Danny, the curator, not much help there, and an older man with some fight in him. It’s up to them to work together. Otherwise, no one will get out of this alive.

Except that the story takes place in a zoo with animals from all over the world, it reminded of a book I read years ago. I also watched the movie and really enjoyed both. It was Day of the Animals.

The author gave me the same sense of dread and gut-wrenching fear with Animal Kingdom. You just knew people were going to die and die horribly. The animals are too many to fight off.

Reading scenes about the group dynamics was very real. People react differently when their lives are at stake. Some step up, some cower, and some act like blustering buffoons. I can’t figure out why some people can’t see past their own arrogance, or should I say ignorance.

This is a book about a war we may not be able to win. About surviving minute by minute and always looking for the way out.

   An exciting read!

At the end of the book there are some short Bonus stories. They all tie into the Animal Kingdom book and the one by Eric. S. Brown, Night of the Squirrels, is very interesting!

I just read another book by Eric, can’t mention the title or I’ll give away his story, and plan on reviewing it soon. It was very scary good!

Special Bonus Content

Six short stories by Ian Rob Wright set in the Animal Kingdom universe:

Clocking Off

Howard’s Wood

The Hunt

Home

Behold, The Beasts of War

Sanctuary

and

 Night of the Squirrels by Eric S. Brown

About the author

Published genre author, Iain Rob Wright, was born in 1984 and lives in Redditch, a small town in the West Midlands, UK, with his loopy cocker spaniel, Oscar, his fat old cat, Jess, his many tropical fish, and the love of his life, Sally. Writing is the passion that fills his life during the small periods of time when he isn’t cleaning up after his pets.

He is the author of several novels, including the critically acclaimed, The Final Winter, and the deeply disturbing thriller, ASBO.

Check out his official website for freebies, news, and updates at: http://www.iainrobwright.com

He can also be found here:

Amazon

Goodreads

Click on the images below to purchase Animal Kingdom and other books by Iain Rob Wright.

and to purchase his collections:

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Phantom Warriors was a RIOT!

Posted: October 29, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Adult Fiction, Creatures, fiction, Mytery/Thriller, otherworldly, reviews, Romance, Science Fiction, Series, Shifters
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2

Phantom Warriors: RIOT

by Jordan Summers

Riot (Phantom Warriors #6)

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Riot is a Phantom Warrior, a shifter, from the planet Zaron. He has been sent here by the Atlantean King Eros to find a mate. Females are rare on Zaron and in their travels the warriors discovered that the females on Earth were a compatible species. It’s vital to save their race from extinction.

At six and a half feet tall and 280 lbs. Riot is a bear of a man. Most females are afraid of him. He doesn’t hold out much hope of finding a mate until he spots Nina. Could she be the one?

Nine Whitetail is one of the People of the Cherokee Nation. She has a lot on her plate right now. Her veterinary clinic needs more customers or she’ll have to shut her doors, her beloved grandfather, Harold Twofeathers, lies dying in the hospital, and the damn poachers are back in the Rocky Mountain National Park, setting deadly snares and traps in the hopes of nabbing a bear or two.

To top it all off, her best friend Kim is getting married soon and will be moving away. The two friends go out in the woods one last time, seeking the poachers traps and destroying them. They end up running from flying bullets and separate to confuse the poachers hell-bent on killing them.

Nina gets turned around in the forest and stops to catch her breath. Out of the shadows steps a huge bear. No bear could possibly be this massive. Her grandfather told her the legend of the Great Bear who will take you to the stars, never to return. They are the size of Woolly Mammoths.

When the bear speaks to her, Nina’s certain the bear is either the one of legend or she’s losing her mind.

What a rush. This is a fast-moving story. It’s complimented by well-developed characters and a great plot line. It may be about two souls seeking love, but there is so much more going on.

I don’t know how the author did it. She managed to introduce me to a new world, gave me action, adventure, suspense galore, plus made me fall in love with the characters. I even felt a connection to the peripheral characters . And the ending, it was different. Near the end I was thinking, “I don’t want it to end,” and it didn’t. Not right there. Jordan wrapped it up so nicely, putting a bow on top. I can’t wait to unwrap the other stories in this series.

        Four stars for this one!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I didn’t realize this was a series and was so happy when I found out it was. The other thing I found out was it was the sixth book in the series. Yes, that means they can all stand alone!  Love it.

I know what I’m going to be asking Santa for on Christmas. Good thing I’ve been a good girl!

I would recommend this to mature readers as there are some explicit sexual scenes in the book.

About the author and where to find her:

Jordan Summers is an ex-flight attendant with a penchant for huge bookstores and big, dumb action movies. She prefers quite dinners with friends over maddening crowds. Happily married to her very own Highlander, she splits her time with her husband between two continents.

Jordan Summers finished her first book in 2002, which finaled in the ‘Daphne Du Maurier‘ contest. She went on to sell eight fantasy books to Ellora’s Cave Publishing, two to Kensington, Brava, three to Tor, one to Harlequin Blaze, two to Mammoth books, and one to Pocket books. Her latest paperback release is Blood Lite 2: Overbite (9/2011), an anthology put together by the Horror Writer’s Association.

Jordan has twenty-six published books to her credit, both N.Y. and Indie. She is a member of Novelist Inc., International Thriller Writers, Horror Writer’s Association, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America. Learn more at jordansummers.com.

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Twitter

To purchase any of Jordan Summers’ books click on the images below.

Check out her awesome cover art!
Phantom Series:

Other Series:

Dead World

Atlantean Quest

The Ghost Hunter Chronicles

Lords of the Night

Moonlight Kin

and many other books which you can find here .

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