Grab your popcorn and have a seat.
It’s time for the show!
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Movies I’m going to see as soon as possible!
and
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Cue the themes from The Matrix and The Exorcist to set the mood!
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So what are you wanting to go see????
H.D. finally delivered! I’ve just finished reading Joe #2: White Sheets and can’t wait to tell you about it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this author just keeps getting better!
I’ve also reviewed Joe, Book One. Enjoy.
H.D. Gordon
H. D. Gordon is the bestselling author of THE ALEXA MONTGOMERY SAGA, THE SURAH STORMSONG NOVELS and THE JOE KNOWE SERIES. She is twenty-five years old and a true lover of words. When not hanging out with her two beautiful daughters, she can be found reading, writing, or just taking in the world so that she can translate it’s beauty and wonders into the written word.
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comments
JOE
Book One of The Joe Knowe Series
by H.D. Gordon
My Review
Joe is very different from the other books I’ve read by H.D. Gordon.There is an element of the supernatural, but it’s in no way the main focus. This has more of a suspense/thriller story line and you’ll feel it in your heart beat.
The writing is indescribable, it’s so good. I’ll do my best to tell you how this story made me feel.
It’s told from several different points of view, with Joe being the main character. You’ll really like her. She’s got this ethereal look to her, and the author gave her a flaw, a stutter, which only made her stronger for me. She wasn’t shy about it, she just didn’t talk much because it was hard. Maybe that’s why she has the special ability of seeing things before they happen, since she spends so much time in her own head.
When something really bad is about to happen, her hands begin to itch and she has to sit down and let it take control, drawing an image of what’s to come.
It’s bad. very bad. Someone plans to go on a killing spree in the Quad at the university she attends. Joe’s biggest fear is failure. She doesn’t always succeed when she tries to intervene in her visions, and the worse they are, the higher probability of failure. As Joe says, she’s no hero, but I beg to differ.
Maybe if she didn’t have to go it alone, things could be different.
I mentioned the story being told from multiple POVs and it worked fantastic for this story. You read the gunman’s thoughts, his madness. You get to know some of the people who are unaware of what’s coming, connect with them, become involved in their lives, and fear for them. As they are so prominently featured in the story, does this mean they are victims, helpers, or survivors? I was afraid to know the answers.
I’ll try this once to describe how the writing felt. As I read, I felt this need for one more sentence, one more paragraph. one more chapter. It was conscious, like hearing your heart beat, your harsh breathing, feeling your muscles tense. the hairs stand up on your neck. I was there. I was in Joe’s head and in the story. I hope you get what I mean.
Once again, the author has surpassed my expectations. Each new book I read goes one step further, moves me that much more. What a ride!
5 STARS
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Synopsis
From the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga comes a story that will take you into the mind of a genuine psychopath, the lives of six ordinary people, and the world of a very special girl named Joe. Joe is seemingly an ordinary college student. She works, studies and reads. But in between these activities, Joe has a gift that promises to add a dose of color to her life at any given moment. Joe sees things before they happen. Bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. Someone is planning a massacre at the college university Joe attends, and the only person with a hope of stopping the psychopath is her. Oh, the beauty of foresight. More like a curse. Joe has four days to figure out the mystery, make plans to take down the psycho, and save the lives of people. People like you and me. Ordinary people.
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JOE 2 : WHITE SHEETS
Book Two of The Joe Knowe Series
by H.D. Gordon
Available for purchase March 26th
My Review
You jump right back into the story of Joe where it left off in the first book.
I can’t really tell you about it as it will spoil things for ya.
What I will talk about is the writing. Once again, I can’t begin to pull out of my head the words to express how the author mesmerized me. It’s like she cast a spell and I was taken into Joe’s head. I read her thoughts, felt them, and visualized them so clearly. And it was gut wrenching.
This time Joe is up against a diabolical lunatic. A cult leader crazed beyond control with so many innocents under his fanatical influence.
When Joe’s ability shows her what’s going to occur, she once more peers into the abyss, enters the darkness, and hopes to reemerge, mission accomplished.
It sounds easy, but Joe will need to protect herself in more ways than one. The dangers aren’t all plain to see.
This is told from many different points of view, like the first book, and works every bit as good in this one. You’ll begin to understand how the cult followers accept the madman’s teachings and blindly follow. You’ll see inside the fanatic’s mind and be appalled by his deranged thinking and rants.
And you’ll get to know Joe even better. With some of the innocents being young children, Joe’s maternal instincts come forth. This was especially moving, as Joe hasn’t had an easy life. And that’s why I was thrilled to see the two men in her life were back in this book. It’s not a love triangle. Fra from it.
The young man would like to be more than friends, but knows not to push it and the other is an older gentlemen, Joe’s neighbor, and he is a huge support when she feels so alone.
I classify this as a white knuckle read. I don’t think I relaxed from the first page to the end. I wasn’t assured of a happy ending. Joe says she’s no hero, and you never know what can happen.
Thrilling and suspenseful. Drink the kool-aid. You’ll love it.
5 STARS
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdO_uSMtF_Q]
***
Synopsis
Joe Knowe sees things before they happen. Bad things. Just a couple months ago it was a psychopath planning a massacre at the college she attended. Now, she’s facing a whole different kind of madman, and one potentially far more dangerous. To keep the pending disaster from happening, this time Joe will have to get up close and personal, making herself at home in the lion’s den, and attempting not to be swallowed whole. Will she be able to keep herself and those around her from drinking the Kool-Aid? Or will they all end up under white sheets? In this second installment of the thrilling JOE series, H. D. Gordon takes you into the heart of a cult, the mind of its leader, and the lives of his followers.
*****
Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!
Author: Eric Garrison
Featured Book Release
Sinking Down
Book Two of the Road Ghosts Trilogy
February 24 to March 2, 2014
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I’ll be starting today by reviewing Four til Late, the first book in the Road Ghosts Trilogy and then I’ll be reviewing Sinking down. Such a fun series!
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Four ’til Late
Road Ghosts #1
By Eric Garrison
My Review
Brett’s paranormal investigations are at a stand still, so he’s up for it when Uncle Gonzo invites him and his friend Jimbo, and ex-girlfriend Liz on a road trip, destination New Orleans.
Things get interesting right from the get go. The trip almost ends before it gets down the road, when they swerve to avoid a figure that appears out of the fog. Turns out it was a ghost.
But a ghost is the least of their worries, as a raging demon who hops from body to body and can sap their life force with a touch pursues them.
This road trip is anything but normal and they’ll be lucky to reach their destination.
This is one crazy road trip. Brett and Liz are working on renewing their relationship, Jimbo is harassed with phone calls from his insecure, jealous girlfriend Frannie, and Uncle Gonzo(not really anyone’s uncle) is always there to stir the pot, sarcastic with a capital S.
Where the author really got me was why, if Jimbo’s girlfriend may be the one who sicced the demon on them, was Brett the target? I kept searching for subtle clues, something to point me in another direction.
Then I got caught up in the dialogue, the witty repartee, and the pit stops they made along the way.
Even if a demon’s after you, you still have to take a bathroom break and eat. But thinking it won’t attack when others are around is a dangerous mistake for Brett and the poor guy barely escapes it clutches.
I think Gonzo’s van, Soccer Mom, was the perfect vehicle to carry us down this winding road. The weird gets weirder, the demon gets angrier, and the gang gets more desperate. This is where you fasten your seat belts and hold on to your butts. The path is filled with potholes.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
A Haunted Road Trip
Amateur ghost hunter Brett and his friends Gonzo, Jimbo, and Liz are on a road trip with dangerous detours, dreadful dreams and dire warnings. But that won’t keep them from reaching their goal: New Orleans. Along the way they discover that some spirits leave you with more than a hangover and regrets. Can they get there in one piece, or will they be stopped and rest in peace?
The bags are packed, the engine’s running. Turn up the radio and get moving because the road ghosts are waiting, and it’s Four ’til Late.
Four ’til Late is the first book of the Road Ghosts Trilogy.
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Sinking Down
Road Ghosts #2
By Eric Garrison
Amazon Links for Sinking Down
Print Version ~ Kindle Version
My Review
It’s been months since Brett moved to be with Liz and still no work. Not much call for paranormal investigators at the moment.
When Liz and Brett hear of a creature, maybe a chupacabra, being seen in the woods, they pack up their camera and camping gear and set off to see what’s really out there.
Who should show up but Larry, Liz’s cyber-stalking ex- boyfriend. When they manage to get photos of the creature, Larry steals the camera. Liz isn’t worried though, she has the sim card.
It turns out it’s not a chupacabra. It looks like a gray-skinned little girl with weird yellow eyes. She stinks of death and munches on road kill.
Of course, Liz gains it trust and brings it home. After a hot bath and plenty of scrubbing, a little girl emerges. She’s still grey-skinned and unbreathing, but she smells a whole lot better.
Now Liz is determined to find out who Ashleigh (the name she gave the creature) is, why she’s a ghoul, and how to undo it. And once again things point to Brett.
It’s time for another road trip and the gangs all here.
As the book description tells you, there’s a whole lot of other things happening in this second book.
The gathering of ghost hunters was fun to read. All sorts of weird.
And Uncle Gonzo is good for mixing it up and providing the next day hangovers.
But my favorite part was the little ghoul, Ashleigh. She didn’t ask for what happened to her. And Liz was awesome to take her in. I don’t know if I could have. The author’s description made me feel sorry for her, but Ashleigh also creeped me out. Then, as surely as a hot bath washed away the stink and filth, that little ghoul stole my heart.
I’d do whatever needed doing to help her and that’s what this story is about.
Hop in Soccer Mom (Gonzo’s van) and join the gang on their latest road trip. The supernatural is happening and danger is just around the bend.
5 Stars
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0EqCQbuSeo]
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Synopsis
Poor Little Ghoul
Paranormal investigators Brett and Liz find themselves back in over their heads when a forest hunt for a roadkill-eating creature offers up a little surprise. Back home with their ghoulish house guest, it becomes clear there’s more to this investigation than either of them thought. Worse than that, Brett’s own fate is linked to the little ghoul’s.
So it’s back out on the road, with plenty of time for pit stops with a greedy ex, a convention of ghost hunters, partying with fake vampires, and even drinking and fighting alongside good ole Uncle Gonzo. But as the investigation goes deeper, and unseen connections come to light, Brett finds there’s much more at stake than getting through a rough patch with Liz.
A rescue mission. A race for a cure. New friends and old adversaries. Unbreakable bonds and supernatural danger. It’s going to be a wild ride. Can the friends save the nearly undead tween? Can she and Brett stop themselves from …Sinking Down?
Sinking Down is the 2nd Book in the Road Ghosts Trilogy!
~~~
***The books being reviewed were provided for my
honest review, and no compensation was provided.***
~~~
About the Author:
Eric Garrison is active in the writing community in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lives in the Circle City with his wife, step-daughter and four cats. He also enjoys gaming and homebrewing beer.
Seventh Star Press published the first of his Road Ghosts trilogy, Four ’til Late, in July of 2013. Sinking Down was released in December of 2013, with the final title to appear in 2014.
Eric’s novel, Reality Check, is a science fiction adventure released by Hydra Publications. This book reached #1 in Science Fiction on Amazon’s Kindle store during a promotion in July 2013.
Eric’s short story, “Drag Show” appeared in the Fall 2011 edition of Strange, Weird and Wonderful Magazine and Volume 2 of that magazine’s anthology series. His flash piece, “Dark Reflection”, appeared in the Indiana Horror 2011 anthology. He’s competed twice in the Iron Writer Challenge with two 500-word flash pieces, “Killer Cure” and “Moby Me”.
Author Links:
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Tour Schedule and Activities
2/24 Beauty in Ruins Guest Post
2/24 Laurie’s Thoughts and Paranormal Reviews Promo/Spotlight
2/24 Deal Sharing Aunt Tour Wide Contest
2/24 Lost Inside the Covers Review
2/24 John F. Allen Writer Promo Spotlight
2/24 Beagle Book Space Promo/Spotlight
2/24 Seers, Seraphs, and More Promo/Spotlight
2/25 Vampires, Witches, and Me, Oh My! Character Post
2/26 Bee’s Knees Reviews Guest Post
2/27 Sapphyria’s Book Reviews Promo/Spotlight
2/27 fuonlyknew ~ Laura’s Ramblins and Reviews Review
2/27 I Smell Sheep Guest Post
2/27 Jess Resides Here Character Interview
2/28 A Book Vacation Guest Post
2/28 Armand Rosamilia, Author Guest Post
3/1 Sheila Deeth The Art of Sinking Down
3/2 Come Selahway With Me Guest Post
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.
I have to admit that the titles for this series were what first caught my attention. I Kissed a Dog and She Kissed a Vampire. A whole lot of smoochin goin on!
Once I started reading, I became so attached to the characters and the tangled plot.
Now it’s my time to review these fun books for ya’ll and there’s also a really great giveaway.
Check it out below!
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I Kissed a Dog
The Werewolves of the West Series Book One
by Carol Van Atta
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Charles River Press
ISBN: 1936185725 / ISBN13: 9781936185726 / ASIN: B009SV179U
Number of pages: 446
Cover Artist: Ann Falcone
My Review
I had a review all written, but as I was rereading it, I kept changing things and I finally just threw it out and started over. It was too serious for such an exciting and fun story.
Chloe’s near death and seven month coma have left her with the ability to hear and see animals thoughts. She uses this to her advantage working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park and her ability is often sought.
A new veterinarian, Zane, comes along and her vows of celibacy are in danger. This aplha male calls out to her inner self, jumbling her thoughts and weakening her resolve. She’s angered, afraid, and electrified by him all at the same time, which leads to some fun sparks between these two.
There’s a serious part. Young men are being murdered. First, there’s two. Then a third. And a fourth, and the last two Chloe knew.
There’s a dark side. Who’s killing these young men? The vamps, fae, or evil werewolves? All seem to have their own agendas and all are suspect.
Then there’s the fun, exciting part. The romantic sparks between Chloe and Zane. Chloe’s ability to read minds was limited to just animals. As she honed her skills, she wondered if she’d eventually be able to do the same with humans. She found she could capture Zane’s thoughts,with good reason, and cheated to use this to her advantage. The dialogue between these two kept me smiling as they sparred and came together. They go together like butter and popcorn. Not complete without the other.
And we can’t forget the villains. There’s a mysterious figure that attacks a zebra, sucking it’s blood. Hmm.. And the mutants, werewolves that are turned not born one. I wouldn’t recommend trying to pet one. And then there’s Jazmine. Cold as ice and sharpening her claws. She’s not liking Chloe and Zane’s budding romance at all. He’s supposed to be her mate.
I enjoy a good mystery and romance. Add in the supernatural elements and I’m wanting to cheat, skip ahead to see if what I wanted to happen did and who the killer was. But I didn’t. And the wait was worth it.
4 stars
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Book Description:
Chloe Carpenter isn’t like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.
In her otherwise wacky life, she’s finally found a semblance of sanity working at the PlumBeachWildlifePark, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he’d roar right back out.
Problem: He’s her new coworker and he’s saved her life twice – in the past twenty-four hours.
Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do – figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of PlumBeach.
With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she’s the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.
Problem: She despises him.
Together, they’re forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.
Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she’ll do anything to keep him from Chloe.
Buy the book Author Blog Book Depository Indie Bound
Amazon Print Amazon Ebook BN BN Nook Smashwords
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/jeuDqevNSXM
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeuDqevNSXM]
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She Kissed a Vampire
Werewolves of the West Book 2
by Carol Van Atta
Print Length: 278 pages
Publisher: Cambridge Press US
December 16, 2013
ASIN: B00HG7GHY8
My Review
Warning – This is the second book in The Werewolves of the West Series and I’ll do my best not to include spoilers.
I felt the author really hit her stride right out of the gate in this second book. The action and suspense are palpable right from the first chapter and the romance is a tangled web, with many want to be suitors for Melanie and the newly mated bonds between Chloe and Zane.
I just knew Jazmine and that zebra feasting vamp would get at Chloe. She’s behind bars, framed for multiple murders and Agent Green has nullified her abilities, cutting her off from all who would help her.
War, jealousy, and love all rear their heads in this fun continuation of the series.
When Chloe and Zane were mated she gained a lot of special talents and seemed to have an intuitive sense on how to tap into them. Carol did a great job with this, making Chloe’s easy assimilation believable.
As with the first book, there is so much intrigue and secrets it becomes difficult to tell the good guys from the bad ones. Even some of the bad guys earned my affection. What can I say, they are supernatural and sexy.
Chloe’s best friend Melanie tells her own side of things. She has a secret. She’s jealous of Chloe. Her best friend has attitude and glamour and she often feels like the ugly duckling compared to her.
That all changes when she arrives in Plum Beach to help get Chloe out of jail. The paranormal books she writes earn her six figures a year, and it may be why she was able to accept the news when she finds out most of the people helping Chloe are werewolves, fae, and vamps.
She’s not lacking in suitors either with all these alpha males sniffing at her door, and she feels sexy, lovin every minute of it.
There’s plenty of action, sizzling sex appeal, and so many secrets to be kept and surprises to be revealed. We lost some characters but gained some new ones and this series just got even better.
5 Stars
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Book Description:
Best selling author Melanie Larson’s relationship with her friend, Chloe Carpenter, is bleak. Falsely accused of murder, Chloe’s future rests in the hands of her mate, Zane Marshall, and the Pacific Pack’s purebred werewolves. In an effort to help, Melanie joins forces with the pack and soon discovers the monsters she writes about in her paranormal novels really do go bump in the night.
As Chloe struggles with legal troubles, an unwanted blood bond with a master vampire, and a reunion with her mate, Melanie untangles the attention of multiple supernatural suitors determined to claim her as their own. Strangely attracted to a brazen vampire, she must decide if the blurred line between passion and pain is worth crossing.
Werewolves, vampires, and fae royalty race to unearth an ancient artifact with the power to extend their existence. Can Chloe and Melanie restore their friendship in time to stop magical mayhem from ruining everything they’ve worked so hard to redeem?
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About the Author:
Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included, and lots of bunnies were involved), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she’s an ex-80’s chick.
Devouring books from numerous genres, Carol developed a deep thirst/hunger for more reading material, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book.
She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetland of Oregon with a terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. (Though you can check out her latest spiritual suspense novel, Soul Defenders). It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered too suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Werewolves-of-the-West-I-Kissed-a-Dog/153030771437034
https://www.facebook.com/carol.vanatta.1
http://www.werewolvesofthewest.com/
http://vampswereswhyohmy.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1237874.Carol_Van_Atta
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!
Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?
~~~~~
What are you currently reading?
She Kissed a Vampire
Werewolves of the West #2
by Carol Van Atta
Synopsis
Best selling author Melanie Larson’s relationship with her friend, Chloe Carpenter, is bleak. Falsely accused of murder, Chloe’s future rests in the hands of her mate, Zane Marshall, and the Pacific Pack’s purebred werewolves. In an effort to help, Melanie joins forces with the pack and soon discovers the monsters she writes about in her paranormal novels really do go bump in the night.
As Chloe struggles with legal troubles, an unwanted blood bond with a master vampire, and a reunion with her mate, Melanie untangles the attention of multiple supernatural suitors determined to claim her as their own. Strangely attracted to a brazen vampire, she must decide if the blurred line between passion and pain is worth crossing.
Werewolves, vampires, and fae royalty race to unearth an ancient artifact with the power to extend their existence. Can Chloe and Melanie restore their friendship in time to stop magical mayhem from ruining everything they have worked so hard to redeem?
~~~~
~~~
What did you recently finishing reading?
I Kissed a Dog
Werewolves of the West #1
by Carol Van Atta
Synopsis
Chloe Carpenter isn’t like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.
In her otherwise wacky life, she’s finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he’d roar right back out.
Problem: He’s her new coworker and he’s saved her life twice – in the past twenty-four hours.
Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do – figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.
With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected.
Remarkably, she’s the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.
Problem: She despises him.
Together, they’re forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.
Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she’ll do anything to keep him from Chloe.
~~~~~
What do you think you’ll read next?
Ocean’s Infiltrator
Ocean’s Gift, Book #2
by Demelza Carlton
So, whatcha readin?
Freakin Fridays is my own little meme. I’ll be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.
Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!
Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!
Let’s have some fun!
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With the new year here, I’ve started implementing my new plans for my blog.
While I’ll still be doing my memes and posting for book tours and giveaways, I’m going to be doing a lot more reviewing.
I asked you to help me with this. Below are the 5 books I’ll be reviewing for the 5 Fridays in January. You’ve let me know which one you want me to review first. The book with the most votes for my first 2014 Freakin Fridays review was The Little Mermaid of Death!
There is a link further down in the post for my review if you missed it.
Your next pick was Spooky Short Stories. You can check out my review further down in this post.
And your next pick was The Monster Man of Horror House which I’ll be reviewing now along with the next choice Days With The Undead!
I had a glitch and had to miss my Freakin Fridays post last week so making up for that now.
~~~
The previous week’s choices!
The Monster Man of Horror House
by Danny King
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My Review
Every town has one. That mysterious person. A recluse. You can’t help but listen to the rumors about him. His very aloofness invites it.
John Coal has been having trouble with a group of teenage boys. They pull pranks, destroy property, and torment him. At first, he’s at a loss, wondering, “Why me?”
Then it hits him. He’s that creepy old guy in the creepy house. The odd one that everybody whispers about. People cross the street to avoid contact.
The gang of boys continue to plague him so he figures he’ll give them what they believe. He’ll be the monster man.
So he sets the bait, making it easy for the boys to get, and adds one more thing to entice them further into the house. Then he springs his trap and the boys end up in his cellar, scared and shaken.
Who knows what horrible plans he has in store for them. They should have minded their own business.
John Coal has quite a history. He’s dealt with things we only dreamed about in our nightmares. Drawing on his past experiences, he goes to extremes to teach these boys a lesson.
The author threw me for a loop from the moment John trapped those boys. I didn’t have any idea whether John was just a grumpy old loner or something else. I quickly found out. I can see why he’s called the monster man now.
I had to stretch my imagination a bit about the elaborate trap John set. But as I learned about his past, it became easier to believe and them I was all in to the end.
A good read for a dark and stormy night.
3 Stars
~~~
Days With The Undead
by Julianne Snow
My Review
This was a bit different for me. The story is narrated by Julie as an ongoing journal on the internet. She is recording everything that has happened to her and her 4 friends starting three days after the outbreak, as they go on the run, seeking someplace safe from the zombies.
Right away, I liked how the author addressed people’s reactions to the news of the flesh-eating outbreak. Many just went about their daily lives. That is, until the zombies came calling.
Some of the towns they passed through were untouched, while others were ravaged. They had to be careful not only of the zombies. There were pirates out there, goons who would as soon shoot you as help you. They want what you’ve got, plain and simple.
While telling her tale, Julie begins relating each of her friends stories. What happened to them when the outbreak occurred and how they came to be together.
If you are going to survive, you have to get tough, keep your group small, and keep moving. No stopping to help anyone, and no letting someone join the group, no matter what.
It’s easy to think, but harder when they’re faced with some choices.
Zombie fans know that things happen. Not everyone can survive. You expect losses. But don’t you wish it didn’t have to be that way?
By writing this as a journal, Julianne did an excellent job. I was actually picturing the scenes, nodding at some things, and hoping the zombie apocalypse stayed what it is. Fiction.
You can learn a lot about surviving the apocalypse by reading Julie’s journal.
I was going to give this 4 stars but the ending bumped it right up to 5! I read it several times and it floored me.
5 Stars
~~~
Your previous choices were:
Spooky Short Stories
by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
***
Your first choice!
The Little Mermaid of Death
by Kevin Richey
And for next week!
#1
Cold Blood
by Donna Ansari
As the winter holiday season descends on New York City, vampire Emma Hammond is anticipating celebrating with Tammy and David, her witch and werewolf roommates. But when an odd Christmas ornament unleashes waves of the undead from her neighborhood graveyard, Emma finds herself as an unwilling shield between ravenous zombies and an unsuspecting city. Even worse, despite having everyday dealing with supernatural creatures, Emma finds that she has an unnatural aversion to the shambling dead, and must get to their source and stop the invasion before she’s forced to cancel her holiday party!
***
Stay tuned for February. I’ll be giving you some new choices!
The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.
The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find any sentence, or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.
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#1
“He’s been here too long, there’s not much left of him. All he says is to let go and to warn her to let go too.”
#2
“I’m not letting go…..We’ll find a way to hold on.”
#3
The accident and the ghosts warning had him more shaken up than he wanted to admit.
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The laughs and the creepiness just keep on coming! This is such a fun series!
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Sinking Down
Road Ghosts #2
By Eric Garrison
Poor Little Ghoul
Paranormal investigators Brett and Liz find themselves back in over their heads when a forest hunt for a roadkill-eating creature offers up a little surprise. Back home with their ghoulish house guest, it becomes clear there’s more to this investigation than either of them thought. Worse than that, Brett’s own fate is linked to the little ghoul’s.
So it’s back out on the road, with plenty of time for pit stops with a greedy ex, a convention of ghost hunters, partying with fake vampires, and even drinking and fighting alongside good ole Uncle Gonzo. But as the investigation goes deeper, and unseen connections come to light, Brett finds there’s much more at stake than getting through a rough patch with Liz.
A rescue mission. A race for a cure. New friends and old adversaries. Unbreakable bonds and supernatural danger. It’s going to be a wild ride. Can the friends save the nearly undead tween? Can she and Brett stop themselves from …Sinking Down?
Sinking Down is the 2nd Book in the Road Ghosts Trilogy!
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!
It’s time to celebrate!
Delta Legend is now out in paperback!
I’m reposting my 5 Star review and Kelan has written an awesome guest post.
That’s not all.
This is a Tag Team Event.
I’ll be giving away one paperback copy of Delta Legend generously provided by Kelan O’Connell. After entering my giveaway, head on over to Sherry’s blog at fundinmental for another chance to win!
Synopsis
When 16-year-old Oakland teenager, Calvin Pierce, makes a bad decision and winds up getting arrested, his mother is quick to take action. Determined not to lose a second son to the drug and gang violence of the inner city, she sends Calvin to spend the summer working for his great uncle in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
There in the predominately white region of agriculture and recreational boating, Calvin’s a fish out of water with a chip on his shoulder. But when severed body parts are discovered floating in a slough, his summer of proving himself takes on new meaning.
Something deadly is lurking in the deep, murky waterways of the Delta. Now the daunting task of containing the living incarnation of a mythical creature falls to Calvin and his ragtag posse of oddball characters.
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Enjoy Kelan’s Guest Post
THE RIDE OF SUSPENDED DISBELIEF
Writing Urban Fantasy Adventure is a bit like creating a wild new theme park ride. It’s a really fun gig. If done right, readers will happily board your attraction and stay engaged through the whole crazy ride, ping-ponging between anticipation, fear, laughter, and satisfaction.
Photo by Dan Hatfield, OrlandoInformer.com
As a novelist, I have to make sure my story has all the necessary elements required for a great ride, and suspended disbelief is a key element in good fantasy fiction.
In Urban Fantasy, fantastical things happen in the modern world as we know it. Undoubtedly, the biggest challenge of writing for this genre is creating a sense of isolation in our modern world. Considering the sheer number of humans crawling all over the planet armed with multiple means of connecting, this can be a formidable task. Enter the all-important selection of location.
The setting for Delta Legend goes by both the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the California Delta. I refer to it by both names in the book. Though surrounded by populated cities, the heart of the Delta retains a sense of isolation due to its vast expanses of farmland and seemingly endless waterways that snake on for 1000 plus miles. That’s right—one thousand.
It was definitely challenging to describe this unique region in a way that would give people who’ve never been there a visceral sense of the place. Luckily, I have a couple things going for me in this regard. One, I have a background as a screenwriter, so I write visually. And two, I spent a good deal of time in the California Delta from the time I was 15 until I was in my mid 30′s. And let me tell you, no matter how old I got, swimming or waiting to get picked up on a water ski in the Delta, always freaked me out a bit. Anything could be lurking in those deep murky waters.
Photo by Kelan
Of course, if anything like what happens in the book were to actually happen in the Delta, it would be extremely hard to keep it on the down-low, but that’s where the all-important suspended disbelief and sense of isolation come into play.
Then there’s the fact that every once in while, something fantastical happens in our real world—something that makes fantasy all the more plausible.
In case you missed it, check this out: This very real sea creature was discovered recently off the shores of Catalina Island, a place I visited several times when I lived in Los Angeles.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/15/us/california-18-foot-oarfish/
Nope, not Photoshopped.
The gal who found this creature (dead) while snorkeling, grabbed it by the tail and hauled it to shore (holy crap) because she knew her friends wouldn’t believe her if they didn’t see it for themselves.
And that, my friends, is the stuff that fuels imagination and inspires all manner of Urban Fantasy and folklore. Laura Thomas’ review of Delta Legend is titled, “There’s Something In the Water!” Hell yeah, there is.
Wanna come along for the ride? It’s fun … and a little scary.
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My Review
Delta Legend is so much more than a scary creature story. It is about second chances, community, new friendships, budding romance, courage and honor.
There is an inner story that provides vital background for the legend. Kelan has really done a lot of research in order to tell you about this creature and where the events take place. Her descriptions of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are almost visual. You can almost feel the sluggish, dark water on your skin and the cold, silty bottom between your toes.
There are many characters that have their parts to play in this book. They are all essential to the plot and add depth, believability and some comic relief.
When Calvin has a brush with the juvenile court system, his mother, Angela, knows she has to do something. After losing her older son Leo to drug and gang violence, she does not want him going down the same path. Her solution is to send Calvin to stay with his great-uncle Samuel for the summer break. He wants no part of the “cuts”, or back country life and arrives with a big chip on his shoulder.
Samuel was apprehensive about taking in Calvin, but is pleasantly surprised when his great-nephew shows a penchant for machine and engine repair. He proves to be a hard worker and an asset at Samuel’s Marine Repair Shop.
Calvin’s first encounter with Mei Li, a young Chinese farm girl, is confrontational. She sees through his tough guy persona and calls him on it. She is sassy and bold and he wants nothing to do with her.
Samuel takes Calvin into the local cafe and small grocery owned by Frances. It is also where the rental desk for Heron’s Harbor Marina, which her teenage son Jess runs. The locals come there to hang out, have a bite to eat and catch up on the daily news around town. It seems every small town has one of these.
After a little bit of juggling, Calvin and Jess start up a friendship. Mei Li is friends with Jess and includes herself on their outings. It is not hard for the others to notice that Jess has developed an interest in Lauren. She is a nice girl, but hangs with the town bullies. But soon enough Lauren sees them for what they are and joins up with Jess, Calvin and Mei Li.
Good old boys Terry and Neal just want to fish and drink cold beer. They motor to their favorite fishing spot and settle in to catch some dinner when they spot what looks like debris from a boat floating in the water. Seeing what they think is a wig, they hook it and take a look. What they had on the end of that hook was someone’s face. Their return trip broke records. This is not the only encounter they have with body parts, it seems like they just can’t get a day of fishing in.
It soon becomes obvious that something is preying on the people of the Delta. Something hungry. The fatalities start piling up, and finally even Sheriff Ray Cruz has to accept that there is a deadly creature cruising the waters, killing and eating the unsuspecting .
The mish mash of locals, along with Calvin and his posse of friends and Sheriff Cruz and bumbling Deputy Burt Watson, unite to combat this evil monster. There are many more characters that I’ve not mentioned, each one adding flavor and dimension to the story. Kelan has the ability to weave them in without confusing you or slowing down your reading enjoyment. No flipping back and forth to see who’s who.
I particularly liked her characterization of Joe, Tak and Samuel. I smilingly think of them as the Over the Hill Gang.
There are a few surprises, you think something has been left out, but then Kelan slips it in effortlessly, providing all of the answers.
And I can’t wait for you to read the great “Oh No!” ending.
If you are looking for a unique monster story with lots of action, adventure and scares, I recommend you get Delta Legend and get reading.
5 STARS.
You can go HERE to read my original review post and check out my interview with Kelan!
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Author Kelan O’Connell
Though she’s been writing in one form or another since the age of 20, Delta Legend is Kelan O’Connell’s first solo novel. She began writing in college, creating character monologues as a way to stand out in auditions and later went on to write sketch comedy, one-act plays, and more specs for screen than she cares to admit.
Kelan holds a degree in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University and has worked in the Film and Television Industry in Northern California and Los Angeles—among her many other day jobs.
She currently lives in Northern California with her partner, Sound Engineer/Producer, Tom Size, and the incredibly spoiled pets of Camp RunAmuck.
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Be sure to visit Kelan’s blog: http://kelanoconnell.blogspot.com
and the Delta Legend website: http://deltalegend.com
Other Links
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I have one print copy of Delta Legend to give away!
An International Giveaway!
To enter, please leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
“What sea monster scares you the most?”
This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry at fundinmental.
You can visit Sherry’s blog for another chance to win and see what she thinks about Delta Legend HERE.
Giveaway ends February 3rd.
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!
