Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

Half Black Soul has a whole new look!

Posted: February 9, 2013 in Cover Reveal, Dark Fantasy, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Series, Shifters, Vampires, werewolves
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If you haven’t read this series yet, take my word for it, you’re missing out! Each book just keeps getting better and better. I don’t know how she does it, but H.D. Gordon continues to astound me.

Check out the new cover art for Half Black Soul!

The Alexa Montgomery Saga, Book #2

Half Black Soul (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, #2)

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You can read my review for Half Black Soul here.

Description

In the past few weeks Alexa Montgomery has had her entire world flipped upside down. She’s gone from living a semi-normal teenage life to a life full of vampires and werewolves who all expect her to deliver them from the control of an evil dictator.

Alexa is the last of her kind; a Sun Warrior, and now she has left the safety of Two Rivers to search for her mother, but she’s left her sister behind to do so, and Nelly is the one person that she was told that she must always protect. Kayden, a vampire who is Alexa’s other half, has followed her on her journey. But, secrets are about to come out, relationships will break and danger lies just up ahead. Will Alexa be able to get through all of this and make it out alive? And, will she be able to protect Nelly from danger when she is so far away?

Discover the series!

Blood Warrior (The Alexa Mongomery Saga, Book #1)

Blood Warrior (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, #1)

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You can read my review for Blood Warrior here.

Description

When her home is attacked by murderous vampires, 17-year-old Alexa is forced to leave her mother for dead in order to save her sister. She soon learns that she is the last known member of an elite race of supernatural Warriors, and is thrust into a world full of vampires and werewolves who all seem to regard her as some sort of savior. Meanwhile, Alexa battles a monster within herself that seeks to gain control; a monster that seeks blood.

The hidden city she finds herself in appears perfect, but Alexa’s instincts tell her that all is not right within its walls. When she is asked to attend a school of fighters, whose exams consist of gladiator-style competitions, she must decide who she can trust among the smiling faces. And, when she meets Kayden, a vampire she feels undeniably drawn to, she must decide if she can trust herself.

Rise (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, Book #3)

The Rise (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, #3)

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Description

The supernatural world in which Alexa Montgomery has found herself is on the brink of war. She is charged with the task of raising an army, defeating an evil dictator, and struggling to contain the bloodthirsty monster that lives within her.

These are things Alexa can handle, but when the person she loves most in the world takes a turn for the worst, Alexa’s loyalty and determination will be tested in the most horrifying of ways. Will she be able to rise to the challenge, or will her love for her sister kill her once and for all?

My review is coming soon.

Redemption (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, Book #4)

Redemption (The Alexa Montgomery Saga, #4)

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Description

The final test is here. The war is no longer a worry of tomorrow, but a reality of today. Turning back is no longer an option. Maybe it never was. It is time for Alexa Montgomery to look fate in the eyes. Death waits there for certain. The only question is… for who?

My review is coming soon.

About H.D. Gordon

A HD Gordon

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty-three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

Website

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You can find all of H.D. Gordon’s books here.

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Two Cozy Mysteries and a Giveaway!

Posted: February 7, 2013 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Humor, reviews, Series, Short stories and collections
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Welcome to my stop on this wonderful tour hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer!
I have not one, but two novellas to tell you about, so grab your favorite beverage and snuggle in while I tell you about these two cozy mysteries.
Almost forgot to mention the Giveaway ! Yep, you can win a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash! Link to enter is at the bottom of this post.
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Three Sisters and Showstoppers by Helen Smith

Three Sisters and Showstoppers are two novella-length stories in the Emily Castles mystery series. The first full-length novel, Invitation to Die, will be published by Thomas & Mercer in October 2013.

The Emily Castles mystery series is set in present-day London. It features twenty-six-year-old Londoner Emily Castles and her neighbor, eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel Crowther. In Three Sisters, Emily goes to a party in a big house at the end of her street. She’s sure she witnesses a murder, but no one will believe her. She teams up with Dr. Muriel to investigate.

In Showstoppers, Emily helps out at a local stage school run by her neighbor, Victoria. Soon she’s mixed up in a blackmail plot and two deaths. Emily and Dr. Muriel team up to prevent further a massacre live on stage during the end of term show.

My Review of Showstoppers

Showstoppers is the second chapter in The Emily Castle Mysteries.

When Emily discovers she’s mistakenly received a letter for her neighbor Victoria, she does the good neighbor thing and walks it over to her. The response she gets is surprising.

“Oh God, no!” said Victoria.

Victoria explains she has been receiving these anonymous threatening letters. She thinks they may be from an ex-boyfriend, but Emily is doubtful.

The author has a colorful cast of characters in this cozy mystery.  She leads you down many paths to discover who is writing the letters.

I had a really fun time meeting the cast of characters and trying to guess who did it.

See if you can spot the clues. How are your sleuthing skills?

When you read Showstoppers you’ll be drawn into  this mystery to the surprising end.

Four Stars for setting the stage!

Praise for the Emily Castles Mystery Series

Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious… Helen Smith is a master story-teller.

~Socrates Book Reviews

It grips you from the very beginning.

~Babs Books Bistro

Bright, colorful and full of surprises.

~Amazon Vine Reviewer

Fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one.

My Review of Three Sisters

Three Sisters is the first chapter in The Emily Castle Mysteries.

Emily decides she will go to the bonfire party at the end of her block. She has nothing pressing and really needs to get out of the house.

The party is a combination of Halloween and Guy Fawkes night, where people dress up in costumes. At this party the participants each have a role they play and the guests are there as observers only.

The knife throwing event draws a large crowd. As the two woman throw their knives back and forth, one of them is struck in the chest.

Panic ensues and the police are summoned. Shortly after they arrive, the crowd begins to cheer. When Emily gets to the front of the crowd she sees the dead girl standing and smiling, displaying the prop, a rubber knife. It was all part of the performance, or was it?

Emily had seen the light go out of the girl’s eyes. She was certain she had died.

I really enjoyed Three Sisters and became quite fond of Emily Castle. I dove right in and started digging for clues, going down wrong paths, suspecting everyone, and finally getting to the truth.

This author does an excellent job giving you a fun and intriguing mystery to solve in a short, easy read. I know I’ll be watching for more about Emily Castle and her adventures.

Four Stars for this performance!

~Eva’s Sanctuary
Praise for Helen Smith

Smith is gin-and-tonic funny.

~The Booklist

Purchase

Author Helen Smith

Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright who lives in London. She’s the author of bestselling cult novels Alison Wonderland, Being Light and The Miracle Inspector as well as the Emily Castles Mystery Series.

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Tour Schedule

BookBlast $50 Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/22/13

Click on the link below to enter!

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Thank you and Good Luck!

Get Gone for Free!

Posted: February 5, 2013 in Adult Fiction, apocalypse, Freebies!, horror, otherworldly, reviews, Short stories and collections
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If you don’t have Gone by Adam Light, here is your chance.

Adam has it free on Amazon from Feb. 3rd thru Feb. 7th.

Go here to get yours!

Gone

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I reviewed this several weeks ago but wanted to post it again.

Here is my review.

Greg awakens with a sense of urgency. A quick glance at his clock confirms it. He’s overslept and it’ll be a mad dash to get to work on time. He forgoes breakfast, figuring he’ll grab a java at Starbucks and throws on the cleanest clothes he can find.

He spots one of his shoes but for the life of him, can’t find the other. Where is it? With no time to search any longer, he throws on a dirty pair of tennis shoes and heads out the door.

A quick glance at his living room gives him a sense that it’s different, empty somehow.

Traffic isn’t too bad until he gets close to Starbucks. Cars are lined up around the block. A huge SUV gives up its spot and he squeezes into line.

Crushing pain seizes his chest. Oh God, not a heart attack. As the pain subsides and leaves completely he has to give up his place in line or he’ll be late for work.

Just a few minutes late, he sneaks to his desk while no ones paying attention. Before he knows it, it’s time for lunch. How could that be?

Why the feelings of dread, the panic attacks, the missing time? What is it about today?

I had a great time reading Gone, Adam’s first published book.

The suspense builds, you feel Greg’s confusion and panic, and then the twist is revealed.

Anyone who likes short stories with a feel of The Dark Side or The Twilight Zone will like this.

     

Meet the Light brothers!

The Light Brothers have been very busy.

They’ve set up their own Q & A on Goodreads

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Evans and Adam have been working on setting up a Goodreads Q&A group, which can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8…

I’m thrilled to join this group. Goodreads is where I met Evans and Adam and discovered their awesome stories.

I’ve read many of their books and am making my way through all of them. They can’t write them fast enough!

******Also, now through the month of February you can download Crawlspace and Dark Curtains for free. Go here to check it out******

About Adam Light and where to find him.

Adam Light

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

Goodreads

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To purchase Adam’s books, click on the covers.

Books written with Evans Light

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4 HUGS for Mr. Bear!

Posted: February 5, 2013 in Freebies!, Humor, reviews, Shifters, Short stories and collections
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I spotted this book over on Sherry’s blog fundinmental.

She’s right. It only takes about 10 minutes to read.

Mr. Bear

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Jane is just trying to make it on her own and she was doing fine until she ran into trouble…of the bear variety!

A bear of a man walks in the bar…..

Well, he does! Sorry, I couldn’t resist:)

Midu leads you on a merry chase with Mr. Bear, literally.

Things happen fast and you chuckle all the way. That often happens when you’re dealing with shifters.

I was a little down this evening. Worrying about life, as usual. Now I’m smiling and feeling good.

Mr. Bear will do that to ya.

4 Hugs for Mr. Bear

A feel good story to snuggle up with. It’s free to download on Smashwords.

Go here to lose yourself for a little while.

Thank you Midu!

I’m still smiling:)

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A Giveaway with Bite

Posted: January 29, 2013 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, horror, New Release, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Short stories and collections, suspense, Vampires
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Have I got some great short stories for you! Two new releases by Emma Meade.

Read my reviews and enter the awesome giveaway!

The Dead Beats

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Tristan and his band are a sensation. Their rock concerts are jam-packed show after show. There’s nothing he loves more than performing before a screaming mass of fans. Well, except for her.

Alex loves Tristan, can’t keep her hands off him. There’s just one problem. He’s a vampire, but that’s not the problem. The problem is he wants to make her one too.  As much as Alex loves Tristan, she doesn’t want to become a vampire.

He loved feeling her beneath him, her warm, beating body that knew his own so well. His next words were muffled into her curls but Alex heard him.

“I don’t have you completely. This world is so dangerous. You know that more than anyone Alex.”

“Shh, please,” she murmured and kissed the top of his head.

Alex doesn’t know how much longer she can put him off. Tristan is losing patience. She knows what she has to do and wishes there were any other way.

I became so wrapped up in this struggle between Alex and Tristan. I wanted her to become a vampire so she’d be with Tristan forever, but I understood her refusal. I don’t think I could wrap my mind around the idea of drinking blood for all eternity.

I wanted Tristan to have Alex by his side forever. But he is young and foolish and pushes her too hard. I don’t trust him not to force her.

The Deadbeats is the first chapter in the lives of Tristan and Alex. They are insatiable and incorrigible. The sexual scenes are hot and steamy, Oh My!  This story is exciting and startling. If you think you know what’s going to happen, think again.

       

Stick around. I have more to tell.

The Old Vampire (Short Story)

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Hailey’s dreams aren’t about a knight in shining armor riding up on his white steed to rescue her. Her knight is a vampire, or maybe a demon or ghost. Any of these would do.

She’s longed for the supernatural world her whole life. Is she really destined to a hum-drum existence or is there something more for her.

She dreams and she waits. And she waits. And waits. Will she ever meet her knight?

It’s Halloween night. All of the candy has been handed out and the trick-or-treaters have all gone home. Hailey settles in with some wine and a movie.

There’s a knock on her door. Must be a straggler.

“The lantern led me to you.”

What a great story. Melancholic and tragic. Quite scary too. When do you stop dreaming? Why should you? You’ll find the answers to these questions in An Old Vampire.

This one gave me shivers. A true horror story.

       

Giveaway

One winner will receive e-book copies of both books.

Two winners will win one of these e-books (their choice).

Te enter, please leave your email address and answer this question, “Why wouldn’t you want to become a vampire?”

Giveaway ends Feb. 7th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Some more books by Emma that I really loved.

Under the Desert Moon

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17 year old Erin Harris spends her time daydreaming, hoping to escape her small town life in Copperfield, Arizona.  When a movie crew arrives unexpectedly to shoot a vampire film over the summer, Erin’s small town world changes forever. Erin is positive she has seen the star, James Linkin before in a thirty year old TV show.  He hasn’t aged a day. How is this possible?  Erin is determined to find out, but how will James handle the scrutiny of an all too intelligent teenage girl?

Go here to read my review.

The Awakening & Other Stories

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Put on the kettle, close the curtains and curl up by the fire. Dive into 8 short tales, each with a slice of the paranormal.

Ghost Story – Who is the shadow in the window of the abandoned house, and what or who is he waiting for?
The Awakening – It’s time for Sabrina to wake up and face the light.
End of the Line – Cassie wants to die. When midnight rolls around, she stands on the tracks waiting for the train to come.
Milsa Loris – The once magnificent kingdom of Milsa Loris comes alive one night each winter. The King’s witch is brewing up a little magic, sure to make the soup all the tastier.
The Old Vampire – Hailey spent her life dreaming of a dark prince falling in love with her. He never showed up, until now.
The Knocking – Alison’s grandfather has one eye on the next life. After all, he’s heard a lot of rapping at his door lately.
The Boy on the Beach – Kate’s grandmother warns her about the boy with the green eyes. Will she pay heed?
Snowglobes- It’s busy at Calvin’s Cabins this Christmas. Eddie and Maggie are a young couple in trouble. Not to fear, Calvin is always ready to lend a hand.

Go here to read my review. This collection includes the short story The Old Vampire.

Night Sighs

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It’s good to be alive…when you’re dead!

Meet Alex & Tristan, modern star-crossed lovers of the supernatural variety.
Alex is running-on-empty, one year on from the death of her fiancé, and the only thing that keeps her going is her romance with the young vampire Tristan. Tristan, meanwhile has a serious obsession with Bruce Springsteen, and is battling a ‘can’t live without you’ sort of love for Alex. He’s trying to persuade her to come over to the dark side but so far she’s resisting his efforts.

So come and sing along to Tristan’s band, The Dead Beats, the hottest group in London right now, and walk with Alex as she teeters between this life and the next. Because when you’re around Tristan, you’ll see, how much fun it is to be alive when you’re dead….

Night Sighs is an adult paranormal romance, following the relationship & adventures of Tristan & Alex through five short stories: The Dead Beats, The Ancients, Until My Body Is Dust, Bourbon & Jazz and West of Forever.

Go here to read my review.

About the author

Emma Meade

Author of Nights Sighs, Under the Desert Moon and The Awakenings & Other Stories.

Emma Meade writes paranormal fiction. She lives in rainy Ireland and loves all things supernatural. Stephen King’s The Stand is one of her most loved books. Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on. She is not ashamed to admit that Dirty Dancing and Twilight make her top ten movie list but wishes to point out that The Last of the Mohicans, Reality Bites, Dead Poets Society, Stand by Me and The Goonies are in there too.

Writing supernatural stories & watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.

You can find Emma here:

http://emmameade.com

Http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4229395.Emma_Meade

http://www.twitter.com/emmameade83

Purchase Emma’s books by clicking on images below:

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A Giveaway from the Stars

Posted: January 25, 2013 in Aliens, Fantasy, giveaways, otherworldly, reviews, Science Fiction, Series
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I can’t wait to tell you about Glory Alley and the Star Riders!

Glory Alley and the Star Riders (The Glory Alley Series, #1)

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According to legend, Wybbils are small hairy creatures who live deep underground in caves. Ancient people both feared and venerated them.  It is said that Wybbils leave their tunnels at night to snatch Tullahn children from their beds and bring them to their lair.

A girl rock collector risks everything for the chance at a better life.

This story takes place on a world very similar to ours. The inhabitants are as human as you and I, just trying to make their way in their world.

Glory and her best friend, Crash, have agreed. They will meet at “the pools” of Queen’s Mesa. There’s got to be some really good stones in the cavern. Glory just knows she’ll find what she’s looking for there.

Glory arrives ahead of Crash and breaks the rules. She enters the cave alone and makes her way to the pools. And there it is. The stone that will save her family. Little does she know that by taking this stone she may be able to save her family, but she could be destroying another world.

This is no ordinary stone. It’s absence wreaks havoc on another world and the guardians have come to take it back. Glory is not a mean girl despite the abuse she receives from her father and her siblings. Since her mother’s death, her family has been dying a little death too and she needs to sell the stone before they foreclose on her home. She stalls the guardians while she tries to find a solution. But time is running out.

This is not my usual genre to read, but I’ve been reading “outside the box” lately and I’ve discovered some wonderful authors and their books.

Glory’s life is not pretty. She’s bullied at school, her older sister has no time for her, her brothers like to torture her and her Dad is in an alcohol induced fog most of the time, when he’s not swinging his fists or his belt The only good things in her life are her best friend, Crash, and her baby brother, George.

I really feel for Glory. All she wants is to have her family back the way they used to be. She’s bold and wise beyond her years. Her connection to her brother George is so sweet. I’ll let the author show you.

Three-year-old George perched on a stool, trying to string white puffs of popcorn. Face streaked with jam, he sat there in a diaper and nothing else. Glory knew from experience that her little brother defied all clothing. He had a stubborn streak, but she liked that about him. His messy hair was in need of a trim and looked like delicate threads of gold when it caught the light. Glory paused in the doorway quietly singing his name.

“Georg-eee.”

He jerked to attention. “Gwo-wee?” A smile of recognition spread across his face until he forgot the task at hand and stabbed his finger with the needle. “Ow?” He held out his injury for her to see. “Gwo-wee?”

Glory carried him to the sink, washing the dot of blood under the faucet. He cried, offering his wounded finger. “Kiss.”

Glory kissed it. “Better?”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded, giving thanks with a runny-nosed peck on the cheek.

Now that’s showing me something! My face broke out in a smile when I read this.  The quality of the author’s writing spills from the pages, taking you deeper into Glory’s story.

You’ll meet a really scary dog-wolf creature, some strange beings, kind of like munchkins, and visit a mysterious, magical world filled with wonders and perils.

Glory Alley and the Star Riders brought some magic to me, like a fountain of youth. I felt the wonder of seeing( or reading)  through young eyes. Kind of like falling down the rabbit hole or going somewhere over the rainbow.

This book is great for all ages. A good, clean, scifi/fantasy. I’ll be following this series.

Oh, even though this is the first book in a series, the author wraps it up nicely and gives you an astonishing ending to this chapter in Glory’s journey.

       

Giveaway

I have one paperback to giveaway!

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “What would you like to find at the end of the rainbow?”

This giveaway is International. Everyone can enter!

****Please note: The paperback has the older book cover. You can view it below****

Giveaway ends Feb. 4th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

About the author

Image of C. Deanna Verhoff

C. Deanna Verhoff grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has worked in education, business, insurance and finance. Writing has been an important part of her life since childhood. Her stories usually contain an element of fantasy, science fiction or the paranormal. Currently, she resides in rural Ohio with her husband, two children, a dog, a cat and a goldfish.

Contacts

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Amazon

Purchase her books by clicking on the covers. Glory Alley shows the old book cover here.

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Haunting Refrain ~ Giveaway & Review

Posted: January 23, 2013 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, Mystery, Psychic, reviews, suspense, thriller, Uncategorized
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The amazing Ellis Vidler is one of my featured authors this month. Each Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing one of her fabulous books. There will be giveaways and guest posts, a whole lot of fun!

First, I reviewed Time of Death, her newest release.

Time of Death

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While visiting near Charleston, South Carolina, an artist draws scenes of murder she can’t explain. Alex. The artist. After a tree falls on her house, she joins her aunt on an unspoiled island, but something wakens her family psychic streak. She draws eerily accurate scenes of violence, but she knows nothing about them.
Connor. The prosecutor. He’s building a case against a drug lord one piece of evidence at a time. For him it’s personal, and he can’t risk a relationship with a witness, especially a psychic who’ll blow his case out of the water.
Rollins. The killer. He’s a cog in a much bigger wheel, and the witness to his acts of violence threatens his operation and his life. He’ll do anything to see that doesn’t happen.

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Ooh, there are some really great characters in Time of Death. I think my favorite is Alex, no, Jax, no, Jelly. Oh, I love them all! Can’t wait for you to meet them. Go here to read my review.

Next, I reviewed Cold Comfort.

The giveaway ends Jan. 29th. Still time to enter here.

Cold Comfort

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After being dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer has abandoned her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she’s plotting her solo course and settling for a quiet life as an independent Williamsburg shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, disillusioned, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill the friend of a friend, the woman winds up in his arms, and all Riley’s plans go to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, he can’t walk away.

While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.

Opposites do attract.

Now I’m reviewing Haunting Refrain.

There’s also a giveaway. Read on to learn more.

Haunting Refrain

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I just love the cover art for this book. The choice of blue is perfect and the scene evokes the same feelings I got from reading the story.

She doesn’t want to touch it again. But she has to. Kate can’t ignore what she’s seen.

Hands, cold and hard, tightened around her throat, choking her. Long fingers encircled her neck, and fingernails cut into her flesh. Strong thumbs pressed into her windpipe, forced her head back. She clawed at them, tried to free herself. Blinded by the rain and the curtain of hair that covered her eyes, she couldn’t see the face above her. She fought, desperate for air. Those powerful fingers squeezed harder. The world around her dimmed. She was dying.

Kate’s always been good at finding things, seeing glimpses of where something was. She never dreamed she’d see a murder.

At the urging of her friend, Venice, she joins a parapsychology study. She needs to learn more about her gift anyway. She picks up an item and the vision takes hold.

Now she’s a witness to murder. She refuses to go to the police. They wouldn’t take her seriously.  When Venice suggests they tell a friend, she reluctantly agrees, never dreaming he was a reporter.

John Gerrard smells a good story. He meets with the two women and subsequently prints his story, including Kate’s name in the article.

When the killer reads the paper, he’s stunned. After the panic subsides, he begin’s to make his plans.

He began thinking of ways to get to the women. First he would watch them, learn their habits. He wouldn’t mind watching Kate. She had a tight, sexy little body that had always appealed to him. And that hair – he bet she was a tiger.

Having no way of knowing how much Kate’s seen, he sets his plan in motion.

I really like Kate. She’s not wishy-washy and has a good head on her shoulders. She’s not like the femme fatale in the movies who ignore the warnings and go blithely on their merry way. She heeds the warnings and takes precautions. She’d better if she wants to keep that pretty head,

Her friend Venice is a riot. She’s clutzy and forgetful but she’s also caring and quirky. Though they are years apart, her and Kate are good together. It’s like they fill each others gaps. The author made Venice authentic for me. I’d like to meet her.

The suspense builds, you know it’s going to get worse, and you brace for the final confrontation. Ellis is a master at this. I found myself leaning forward towards my Kindle, like I could see ahead. I kept checking the battery to make sure there was enough juice left to finish the story.

Haunting Refrain is suspenseful, fraught with danger, and races to the finale.

4 Stars

Giveaway

I have two e-books to offer for the giveaway.

Entry is easy peasy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Have you ever had a psychic experience?”

This is an International Giveaway. Everyone can enter.

Contest ends Feb. 2nd.

Thank You and Good Luck!

About the author and where to find her.

Ellis Vidler

Ellis Vidler is a writer and editor. She and her guests talk about whatever comes to mind at her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com Ellis’s new suspense novel, Time of Death, will be released November 18th. Artist Alex Jenrette shares the psychic streak that runs through the McGuire family. Just as it does her cousin Kate (Haunting Refrain), that ability gets her into trouble when she draws a scene she never imagined–murder. The killer she can’t identify wants to eliminate her, but maybe help from unlikely sources will come in time. Cold Comfort, suspense with romantic elements, is set in December during the long nights before the winter solstice.  Claire Spencer owns a Christmas shop in the charming town of Williamsburg, VA. Her quiet life is turned upside down when she becomes a killer’s target. Everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is cold comfort. Her first novel was Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery set in South Carolina, now out on Kindle. It has a touch of paranormal, and reviewers described the characters as “delightful.” Ellis published The Peeper with Jim Christopher, a retired law enforcement officer. The Peeper is a police procedural/suspense novel set in the South Carolina upstate. Tea in the Afternoon is a collection of three short Southern stories, not her usual suspense stories. Ellis is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her home is in the South Carolina piedmont with her husband, two dogs, and a collection of wildlife that shows up for breakfast.

Links

Website. http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog. http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisVidler

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4054785.Ellis_Vidler

Click on the covers to purchase her books.

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Get Your Vengeance For Free!

Posted: January 23, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Freebies!, horror, reviews, Short stories and collections
Tags: , ,
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I’ve just finished reading Vengeance By The Foot by Adam Light.

Great news for ya’ll. It’s free to download from Amazon here from Jan.22nd thru Jan. 26th!

Vengeance By The Foot

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This is a wicked fast read. Only takes around 10 minutes. I love the play on words Adam used in the title. You’ll get it when you read the story.

If you like stomach turning horror with your dark humor, you’ll like this one. Just a warning!

It’s a lot darker than other stories by Adam that I’ve read.

They used to be the happy couple. That is, until the infection.

Now he’s had to have his foot and part of his leg amputated and he’s turned into a bitter, self-pitying jerk. His wife can’t take it anymore and abandons ship.

He plies himself with booze and pills until he’s nearly unconscious. When something comes calling, he’s not sure if it’s real or a product of his indulgence.

Even though I was grossed out by some of this story, I found Adam’s writing to be stellar, again. He really knows how to stick it to you, with a twist or two for good measure!

I wasn’t kidding when I warned you about this one.

     

The Light Brothers have been very busy.

They’ve set up their own Q & A on Goodreads

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Adam and Evans have been working on setting up a Goodreads Q&A group, which can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8…

I’m thrilled to join this group. Goodreads is where I met Evans and Adam and discovered their awesome stories.

I’ve read many of their books and am making my way through all of them.

About Adam Light and where to find him.

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

Goodreads

Amazon

To purchase Adam’s books, click on the covers.

Books written with Evans Light

Touching Evil and a Tour-Wide Giveaway

Posted: January 21, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Humor, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Series, Vampires, werewolves, Witches
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Welcome to my stop on this amazing event organized with I Luv Tours

Touching EVil Tour Banner

I’m hosting two stops in the tour. Today it’s all about Touching Evil by Amber Garr! This story is a great beginning to the series.

touch ing evil cover

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With one touch, Leila can see it all.

Leila Marx is trying to put her life back together after her fiancé is murdered. When Detective Garrick Pearson enlists her help with a difficult case, she is thankful for the distraction and the opportunity to use her talents as a touch clairvoyant. Leila and Garrick delve into the mystery behind a series of missing teenage girls and mummified corpses while discovering their own growing attraction to each other.

Conner Hoffman is an intriguing lawyer and striking half-demon who enters Leila’s life unexpectedly. Although her visions are terrifying, she is fascinated by his charm and his legacy. When it becomes evident that the murders are linked to a paranormal event, Conner introduces Leila to a world unbeknownst to ordinary society. She suddenly finds herself immersed in supernatural politics, sorcery, and danger as she becomes the killer’s next target.

Staying alive will mean relying on friends, accepting the unbelievable, and trusting in her heart again.

My thoughts

Since losing her fiance, Leila keeps busy illustrating children’s books and helping the police with the odd case here or there. She’s what you would call a touch-know or touch-clairvoyant. When she touches something, she gets visual information.

When she’s called in to help out with a puzzling murder investigation, she also becomes tangled up with a secret group. This group of people, and/or beings, know there’s a supernatural element involved in the murder.

Leila never would have believed the supernatural realm existed, and now she’s smack dab in the middle of it. Before long, she’s breaking and entering, working side by side with beings she believed were only fictional characters in books, and fighting for her very life.

This is her wake up call and she better be ready.

My favorite part of Touching Evil is the characters. Just about every type of supernatural being is in it. Leila is obviously the starring role, but these guys are the seasoning.

And her love interests. Yes, I said interests, as in plural. There is a bit of a love triangle, but Leila is not playing one off the other, or leading them both on. She is just attracted to each  one in a different way and feels guilty that she’s having these feelings at all.

I like both of them. One’s a cop and the other’s, well, something else. They couldn’t be more different but they both have something to offer, something Leila needs.

A scene I liked:

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Mac standing on the porch, watching me approach the house. He jumped off the landing and over the three shallow stairs to pounce in front of me. Startled, I bit back a scream and then I got mad.

“What’s the deal?” Irritated, I put my hand on my pounding heart in response. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be the scary one.”

Once I composed myself, I almost had another heart attack when I noticed his outfit. The man certainly was too beautiful for his own good. Tonight he donned an unusual combination of tight black jeans and a gold mesh long-sleeved shirt overlaid on nothing but his bare chest…

Waving my hand while gazing up and down his body, I asked, “And what exactly are you supposed to be tonight? Did someone forget to tell me it was a costume party?”

Without warning, he swept me up in a bear hug and twirled me around in a circle. His seductive laugh made me shiver and when he kissed me full on the mouth, I froze. He ignored my discomfort and put me back on my feet…..

“Why? What’s wrong with my outfit?” He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “Is it too conservative?”

There are bits of this mixed throughout the book, keeping it light when it’s needed, breaking up the heavier moments like comic relief. I love this stuff.

I had a really fun time meeting all of Amber’s characters and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.

Book Links : Amazon Kindle | Paperback    Smashwords

Read the First Chapter.

Read an excerpt with Leila and Conner.

Paperback: 322 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1480021598

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z7SEGu0jwo?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

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You’ll want to enter the  tour-wide giveaway.
Here’s what you can win:
Signed Touching Evil paperback
Signed Furthermore paperback
Surprise Swag

Click on this link to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For the complete tour schedule go here.

I’ll be back on February 14th to tell you about Furthermore.

furthermore

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About the Author
Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire.  Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids.  Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell.  She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.
Stalk Amber online at:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
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Giveaway ~Fire and Ice ~

Posted: January 19, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Aliens, Creatures, giveaways, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Romance, Science Fiction, Series, Trailer
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I’m so happy to tell you about Fire and Ice, Book Two in The Storm of Arranon Series

The battle of good vs.evil continues.

Fire and Ice Coverjpg

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I’m going to do my best to tell you about Fire and Ice, Book Two, without giving any spoilers. You’ve been warned:)

How about I give you a taste of the opening to this awesome sequel!

“A high piercing scream ripped through the icy air and echoed along the dark intersecting tunnels. The shrieking faded and died.”

Right away I’m entranced! Read on.

“Possession was a painful adjustment.

For the one being possessed.

Dhoran smiled. He felt the corners of the host’s lips jerk in a reluctant response.

Resistance is useless.

Dhoran stared down at his new body. Sensations dead for nearly two decades rushed through him. ….A light sweetness lingered in his mouth and he licked full lips, finding more of this spicy syrupiness. His tongue darted across even teeth blunted with flat surfaces for grinding. He frowned.

There will be no rip and tear to this bite.

Dhoran raised his hands and glared down at the shape and size of them….he missed the thick claws and taut muscles that had rippled under the glossy red-gold scales of his body.

The evil Dhoran is back and up to some new tricks.

I was introduced to the world of Arranon in Storm of Arranon, Book One. I made many friends and was fascinated by the world R.E. Sheahan built.

The first book won my heart and imagine how happy I was to find Fire and Ice was even better. The author’s writing is tighter, more showing then telling. This is excellent as I would love to be able to see Erynn’s world of Arranon. You almost can.

I love the world beneath the surface of Arranon, the soul of the planet. Yes, the planet is alive, and the connection to Erynn is strong. The exotic visual descriptions of flora and fauna had my imagination spinning.

One of my favorite creatures are the wolves. I have a thing for the beautiful creatures and I could just see them so clearly.

My favorite characters, Erynn and Jaer, along with some others, are back. And there’s a new one that will keep you guessing. I’d like to know more of this one’s story.

If you haven’t read the first book, the good news is you will still love this one. The author gives you enough background to fill you in.

There’s more danger, action, and suspense too. Erynn’s determination to protect Arranon has made her mature and step up her game, keeping you so wrapped up in Fire and Ice. Dhoran’s lust for power, to rule the world, is formidable. The many characters enrich the story and bring it all to life.

The battles are intense, but not too graphic, and the romance is light, with no sexual scenes. I would recommend this to everyone.

A wonderous continuance in the addictive story of Arranon and it’s fate.

       

Giveaway

The author is generously offering one signed paperback(US/Canada only) and two e-books(International).

Please read these rules to enter.

*****Please specify if you are entering for the signed paperback or the e-book*****

You can tell me in your comment.

For fun, you can answer this question too, “If you could live anywhere, on Earth or in make-believe, where would you choose?”

Thanks so much and Good Luck!

Contest ends Feb. 1st.

For those of you who haven’t read Storm of Arranon, Book One here is a trailer to pique your curiosity.

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

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Storm of Arranon

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You can read my review here.

Description

Beneath Erynn’s petite build, curly red hair, and startling blue eyes, lies a deeply hidden secret.If the truth about her were revealed, her life would be in danger. Her dream to be a fighter pilot would tailspin,crash, and burst into flames.
Jaer’s wise brown eyes reflect his smoldering strength. An enigma, charismatic and moody, he is a physically powerful warrior who defends his world. A warrior afraid to love because of mistakes in his past.
When the presence of a marauding alien society is discovered on their planets, a struggle of life and death begins. Both Erynn and Jaer’s worlds face annihilation.
A mysterious force plunges Erynn into Jaer’s cold, dangerous, and beautiful world with its magical essence and living consciousness. Both the alien enemy and this strange inexplicable power purse Erynn.

*****The author is very busy right now writing books 3 and 4 and there will be a 5th! Yep, more of Arranon and it’s cast of characters will be revealed******

About the author

R.E. Sheahan

Before I wrote, I read. Voraciously. When I wasn’t able to read, I listened to audio books on tape or CD. Still do.
Hi. My name is Robynn E Sheahan and I live and write from the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

I started to dabble in writing while working as a Paramedic/Firefighter in Northern California. Trust me, it’s not like it appears on TV. There was plenty of time for books.
Ideas from dreams follow me into warm sunny days or the quiet of falling snow. What ifs feed a vivid imagination. Even miss-typed phrases may lead to an aha moment. Brain storming sessions standing in windy, dark parking lots with fellow writers release thoughts that pry at the corners of my mind, grasping for purchase. Sometimes the ideas pursue me, with persistence.
About three years ago the dabbling became serious when worlds and characters screamed for, no, demanded attention. So I wrote my first manuscript. Critiques and rewrites filled the next two years.
I now had STORM OF ARRANON, the first book in the series.

Contact links

www.RESheahan.com

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/…

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynn

https://twitter.com/#!/RESheahan

http://www.ruleofthreepress.com/

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005O1KE7O

Click on the images to purchase the books.

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