Archive for the ‘suspense’ Category

Tag Team Review and Giveaway ~ Dinosaur Lake II : Dinosaurs Arising

Posted: February 13, 2015 in Creatures, giveaways, horror, reviews, suspense
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This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry.

 I have some exciting news to share with you about Dinosaur lake II.  Read on to learn how you can win some books!

After reading my review, head on over to Sherry’s blog at fundinmental for more and check out her review. Two chances to win!

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Dinosaur Lake II

Dinosaurs Arising

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

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My Review

Here we go again. Chief Park Ranger Henry Shore thinks its over. They killed the dinosaur and he’s pretty sure they destroyed all of the eggs. But when strange things start happening in the park, when another ranger has to fight off a large creature to save some visitor’s, it looks like it’s not over.

Things go from bad, to horrific when one of the trolleys, full of tourists, is attacked by something huge, like the thing in the park, yet larger, and it has wings.

It looks like Henry will have to do battle with dinosaurs again, and he’ll have help from his rangers, along with some soldiers and his son-in-law.

Winged gargoyles, that’s what they look like, but much larger.

They are breeding. They fly and are no longer confined to Henry’s beloved park. They are hungry and they need food for their offspring. The park and surrounding towns become their feeding ground.

No one is safe.

I couldn’t wait to read this after finishing the first book. I love books and movies about dinosaurs, especially when they appear in modern times.

There’s so many things Kathryn does really well in her stories. Let me explain.

She gives you authentic characters. They have their flaws, foibles. You like them or you don’t.

When the town sheriff scoffed at the idea of dinosaurs, refused to believe they exist even after the town gets attacked, I could picture him. Standing there, shaking his head, a sneer on his lips, a posture of superiority. I figured he’d get eaten.

And this is my favorite thing she does. She kills off her characters. You don’t want to become too fond of them, but with some you will. And just because they may survive a first encounter, don’t count on them surviving a second one. I’m not saying the sheriff died. I’m not saying they all die. But I wouldn’t want to be in any of their shoes when the dust settles.

The author also doesn’t waste any time getting the carnage going. She quickly drops you in the middle of the mayhem and scares the bejesus out of you. The story never slows down. The suspense and dread builds and builds, and knocks you on your butt. You’ll want to look away, but you won’t be able to. You’ll have to keep reading, find out what happens.

Let’s get to the monsters now. They are just that, monsters. They may be dinosaurs, but they’re unlike the ones from history. They’ve evolved, are very different. I like that Kathryn chose to liken these dinosaurs to gargoyles. The first thing you think of when flying dinosaurs are mentioned is Pterodactyl’s. But not these. They are giant gargoyle like things. And they are blood thirsty, cunning, and relentless. They never stop coming for you.

Every book Kathryn writes is like this. She never lets you down. All of her characters, strong or weak, are genuinely written. We may scoff at their actions, but they are theirs not ours. It’s important to remember that.

And the action and suspense are almost immediate and it’s always a mad dash to the end. Usually with lots of people screaming. LOL

I loved this every bit as much as the first book. I missed some characters that didn’t survive the first one. Loved some of the new ones. I know I shouldn’t have. Lots of people die. But that’s what made this so good. It was unpredictable and the idea of where the creatures came from was plausible. That’s what really creeped me out.

This is everything I hoped for from the author and now I’ve just finished the third book. Holy hell, it’s awesome too!

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Prehistoric creatures have again invaded Crater Lake National Park
…and this time there’s more than one.

DINOSAUR LAKE II: Dinosaurs Arising
by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
Henry Shore has been Chief Park Ranger at Crater Lake National Park for thirteen years now and thought the days when he’d had to fight a rogue dinosaur that lived in the caves below the lake were long over.
Until one of his park rangers, to save a visitor’s life, is in a deadly struggle out in the woods with a new breed of dinosaur worse than the last one. It’s as big as a man, but this one is a young one. And growing.
Then more of the creatures begin to show up everywhere, threatening people and destroying the tranquility and safety of his beloved park.
A tourist trolley filled with fifteen people is snatched up off the crater’s rim by another version of the younger one…but this one has grown into a giant with fangs, claws and a deadly tail.
And this one has wings.
Ugly Gargoyles, Henry calls them.
For this one isn’t alone.
They’re flying beyond the park’s boundaries into the neighboring towns.
So Henry, with the help of his son-in-law, a paleontologist named Justin, and a band of brave park rangers, and a few good soldiers, must not only protect his park and his people from monsters once more but find their lair and destroy it and them before the creatures kill again.

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 Dinosaur Lake

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith.

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My review

Enter at your own risk. There be a huge freakin dinosaur here.

I love books with creatures in them. This one has a dinosaur. A dinosaur that tasted humans and put them at the top of its list. We may be noisy, what with all the screamin, but we’re oh so tasty.

Chief Ranger Henry Shore likes to get out from behind his desk. He enjoys taking out tours now and then. The park is his love and he jumps at any chance to get out there.

The threat of an earthquake has him concerned. It’s predicted they’ll be hit with a major one, and if the tremors he feels are any indication, it could be soon. The rumors of a giant creature seen in Crater Lake make him pause. Maybe the earlier earthquake released something from the caverns under the lake.

When a couple of the boat captains from the lake tours go missing and all that’s recovered are their shattered boats, Henry begins to believe in the rumors. And when a group of campers are attacked, people are missing, blood and bits of gore are strewn around, and a trail of shattered trees leaves a huge trail to the lake, Henry has no choice but to believe the witnesses testimonies of a gigantic monster, a dinosaur, that attacked and ate their friends.

The creature has come on land and is ranging further and further from the lake to find the tasty morsels he craves and needs. No one is safe and Henry wonders how far the evacuation should go.

Henry has big problems. Will it go into the towns? Where is its lair? When will it strike again and how the hell can he stop it? He wants his park back. With the help of fellow rangers and one strange ex- FBI agent who deals in the unusual, he takes the fight to the monster and many die.

Dinosaur Lake starts out tranquil and quickly becomes a nightmare. When the creature discovers how tasty we are, it wants more. It’s intelligent and cunning and likes to play with its food.

I can’t imagine what is scarier, knowing it’s going to eat you, or having it play cat and mouse with you before crunching you between its giant teeth. A couple of the munching scenes had me squirming, feeling so sad for the victims. I knew they were goners.

The author slowly builds the terror, lulling you and then springing out at you, just like the creature.

Some characters I liked got killed off. Some survived. I kept fearing the worst as the pages flew by. I know the author has to kill off some of the characters, but I wish I could’ve saved a couple. This definitely makes for emotional and suspenseful reading.

Great writing, an awesome creature, likeable and diverse characters, chaos and terror. Everything I require in a creature feature.

Five Stars for Dinosaur Lake

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Dinosaur Lake III

Infestation

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

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Reviewing soon!

Synopsis

Chief Park Ranger Henry Shore has dealt with and fought real live dinosaurs at his beloved Crater Lake National Park for over six years. With the help of his rangers, a few brave FBI friends and army soldiers he’d been victorious over a prehistoric lake creature and years later some particularly fiendish, and clever, specimens of the flying variety. He and his newspaper publisher wife, Ann, thought their park was finally rid of the monsters and they could reclaim their tranquil life in a place they cherished. Not so. For suddenly across the park new and even more malevolent mutant species of dinosaur begin to appear and create havoc, attacking the park’s visitors and threatening its peace. And this time the primeval scourge isn’t confined to just their park. The creatures have moved into the nearby towns, across the western United States and up into Canada. They are so much more aggressive, smarter and hungrier than any that have come before and the infestation is spreading further and faster than Henry and Ann can even imagine. This time there’s no easy way to defeat the dinosaurs. There’s too many of them and they’re too devious. This time it’s full out war and the victor will someday claim Earth.

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About Author Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Photo_black_capSince childhood I’ve been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over forty-three years ago now, and have had twenty-two (nine romantic horror, two horror novels, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance, two thrillers, and three murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books/Eternal Press; and I’ve self-published my last six novels with Amazon Kindle Direct and my dinosaur novels and Spookie Town Mysteries are my best-sellers.

I’ve been married to Russell for thirty-six years; have a son, James, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis, Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha and Cleo and live cat Sasha (Too), and the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.

2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *FINALIST* for my horror novel The Last Vampire–Revised Author’s Edition ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *FINALIST* for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*Click here to check out Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s.

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:

Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forge, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire,

Witches, The Nameless One short story, The Calling, All Things Slip Away, Egyptian Heart,

Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, Before the End: A Time of Demons, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Four Spooky Short Stories Collection, Scraps of Paper, Dinosaur Lake, Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising and the just released Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation.

Kathryn’s Links

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Meyer-Griffith/579206748758534  

http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/889499.Kathryn_Meyer_Griffith

 

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I have one eBook and one audible book of Dinosaur lake II to give away thanks to Kathryn!

This can be read without having read the first book.

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

“The dinosaur is about to eat you. You have two choices, stand and fight, or run like hell. If you choose to run, there’s only one place to go, into the park. And that’s where the dinosaurs are. If you choose to fight, it’d be pretty hard to take down a dino. So which is it, fight or run?!

Giveaway ends February 28th.

This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry at fundinmental.

Now hop on over to fundinmental, check out Sherry’s review, and enter for another chance to win  HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Game on for…Ultimate Prey by Kristine Mason ~ Blurb Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: February 4, 2015 in Blitz, Excerpt, giveaways, Romance, suspense
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Ultimate Prey banner

I’m thrilled to have Kristine Mason back on my blog and excited to share her newest Ultimate Core Novel, Ultimate Prey.

From what I’ve read, the tables get turned and the hunter is now the hunted in a twisted game of cat and mouse in the steamy Everglades, where every step could be life or death.

I have an exciting excerpt to share with you and her spectacular cover art.

There’s also a giveaway, so don’t forget to enter!

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Ultimate Prey

((Book 3 Ultimate CORE)

by Kristine Mason

Ultimate Prey use this cover

 

BLURB:

When the hunter becomes the hunted…who will become the ultimate prey?

CORE agent Lola Tam has two things on her mind, quitting her job as a criminal investigator and baking a frozen pie for Thanksgiving dinner without burning it. But a midnight call forces a change of plans. Her boss and future stepfather, Ian Scott, has been kidnapped from his Florida vacation rental—along with her mother. The kidnapper’s plan? Drop Ian and her mom in the Everglades and hunt them like animals. Terrified for her mom, Lola takes the bait and travels to Everglade City, Florida where she’s determined to end the hunt before it begins.

Ryan Monahan, former Navy SEAL turned airboat captain is used to taking tourists through the Everglades, not guiding a sexy agent on a rescue mission. After spending years dealing with a past filled with guilt and regret, he needs a little action and adventure in his life—he needs to prove he could still be a hero. What he doesn’t need? Falling for a woman he has no business wanting, especially when the hunt takes a deadly turn…

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Excerpt

From the bad guy’s point of view, just before the hunt:

 

His prey stirred against the bald cypress. Not much, considering the way he’d tied the cords around their necks and torsos. He turned on the flashlight, then pointed it in their direction. Cami shifted her bottom, causing the bed of tropical ferns she sat on to shiver and whisper. Ian, on the other hand, rubbed his feet together as if trying to scratch an itch. Which wouldn’t surprise him. Although the locals had told him that they were at the tail end of the wet season, the mosquitoes were still bad. They’d been buzzing by him for the past two hours. Between the ski mask and insect repellent he’d sprayed on himself, so far none of the little bastards had taken a bite. He’d guarantee they were feasting on his prey, though.

He set the flashlight on the ground next to his pack, angling it toward the prey, then quickly stood. With his knife in one hand, and his Browning in the other, he approached the cypress, cut the cord, then took a step back. “Don’t move. I’m going to remove your bindings, and then you’re going to run west,” he said, pointing in the direction he wanted them to go. “The first leg of the hunt will be mostly wooded and dry. In about four miles, that’s going to change.”

After he removed the handcuffs, he shoved Cami to her side, then cut the duct tape surrounding her wrists. Her hands free, she ripped the tape covering her mouth. “Bastard,” she said, her voice hoarse, likely from lack of water, along with all her damned screaming.

“I’ve been called worse,” he responded, knocking Ian to the ground. After he sliced through Ian’s bindings, he aimed the gun at his head. “Don’t take the tape from your mouth. Anything you have to say will only piss me off and make me trigger-happy.” He waved the gun at Cami. “Get up, Screamer. You too, Prick.”

Ian glared at him as he used his palms to rise from the ground. He then offered his hand to Cami and helped her to her feet. Once she was standing, she rubbed the front of her neck. The glow from the flashlight didn’t expose much, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the cord had chafed her throat. She’d better hope that she hadn’t rubbed the skin raw. The bugs would have a grand ol’ time feasting on an open wound.

“Why are you doing this?” Cami asked, reaching for Ian’s arm. “You don’t have to do this. We haven’t seen your face, we don’t know who you—”

“Ian knows. Don’t you?”

The little prick shook his head and grunted.

“By the time I put a bullet in your head you will. Speaking of which, it looks like we’re still on schedule. Dawn will be breaking in less than an hour.” He quickly glanced at his watch. “Actually at six-ten, forty-eight minutes from now—if we want to be exact. And that’s when I’m coming for you.” He motioned them toward the trail that would send them into the heart of the Everglades. “So, I suggest you run.”

Ian stepped in front of Cami. His chest rose and fell quickly, and the way he breathed hard through his nostrils had him sounding more like a snorting bull preparing to attack, than a multi-million dollar businessman on the verge of being hunted. The little prick’s narrowed eyes told him he wanted to say something. Although curious as to what bullshit argument or excuse Ian might make to talk his way out of being hunted, he had no intention of letting the man speak. Ian was, and always would be, a lying, manipulative son of a bitch.

Thanks to the prick, his life had reached an all-time low. But he’d reached an epiphany. Death had a funny way of making him realize that life sucked. That sometimes there wasn’t a better tomorrow. That when you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, you could do anything you want.

Like hunting a man.

Like hunting a man who’d taken everything from him.

~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ultimate Prey author

 

Kristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies C.O.R.E. Shadow and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next trilogy, C.O.R.E Above the Law, along with a series of Psychic C.O.R.E. novellas—all to be released in 2015.

Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.

Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!

Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. And be sure to sign up for her newsletter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

Facebook ~  Twitter ~ Website

Buy Links:

B&N ~ Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour and comment.

The more you comment, the more chances to win.

Goddess Fish Promotions

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Three Two One ~ Blast Off! Giveaway Blitz for JA Huss and Her Steamy Romantic Suspense

Posted: February 2, 2015 in Adult Fiction, Blitz, Erotic, giveaways, Romance, suspense
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I know. You’re thinking,  Laura reads erotic books?

Yes, I do. Not too often but when a couple of my favorite authors started writing this genre, I had to read their books as I loved their writing.

Now I wonder how many great reads I’ve missed because I passed over books that were tagged erotic.

And with a lot of you suffering from blizzard conditions and the blahs of cloudy winter days, I thought I’d share Three Two One (321) and heat things up for ya!

Come on in and check it out. You can leave your coat at the door as it’s mighty hot in here. LOL

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Three, Two, One (321) by J.A. Huss
Publication date: January 28th 2015
Genres: Erotica, Romance, Suspense
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Synopsis:

ONE GIRL

Battered, barefoot, and huddled under a bookstore awning in the pouring rain, Blue only knows one thing. After fifteen months of captivity, finally… she is free.

TWO FRIENDS

Self-made millionaires JD and Ark are not out to save anyone when they stumble upon a wet and shivering girl one early Sunday morning. But when you sell sex for a living and salvation rings your bell… you answer the call.

THREE SOULMATES

After years of searching, love lifts the veil of darkness, and three people—with three very big secrets—find themselves bound together in a relationship that defies the odds.

Or does it?

Love. Lust. Sex.

This trinity might be perfection… but not everything should come in threes.

WARNING: This is a STANDALONE non-traditional M/F/M ROMANCE with a non-traditional ending.

Add To Goodreads

Purchase:
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About JA Huss
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threetwoone Julie
JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her kick-ass romance blog, New Adult Addiction (www.newadultaddiction.com).If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.
Author Links:
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Growl by Ashley Fontainne ~ Release Day Review and Giveaway

Posted: January 15, 2015 in Blog Tour, giveaways, horror, Paranormal or fantasy, Release day, reviews, suspense, thriller
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Today is the official release day for the paranormal/horror/suspense/thriller Growl!

Did you hear it? There! Now did you hear it?

I thought I heard a growl!

Come on in and celebrate the release of Growl.

Check out the creeptastic cover.

Read my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!


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My Review

Growl starts with a rumble, low and sinister. The rumble becomes a snarl, louder now and closer. The snarl becomes an ear splitting roar as the end rushes towards you.

At the tender age of 9, when her world should be one of innocence and wonder, Sheryl Ilene Newcomb (did you catch her initials- SIN) does something unspeakable. And she spends the second half of her life in fear. Fear of being found out. And fear of doing it again.

Any chance at a normal life, of happily ever after with the love of her life, is shattered by a voice. A voice in her head. When she finally meets the owner of that voice, she’s pulled, kicking and screaming, into her heritage. Her destiny.

But, someone else is out there. Someone like her, but not like her. And they won’t stop coming after her until she’s dead.

By the title, you are probably thinking werewolves, but you’d be wrong. This is something new in the paranormal genre, something steeped in Native American lore.

The author chose Mississippi as the setting for this story and it worked well. The southern dialect and culture were a perfect foil for this tale.

Part mysticism, part faith and family, and part horror, Growl kept me engrossed until the battery ran out on my Kindle. As soon as it was recharged, I jumped back into the story, not stopping until I finished.

You’re going to like the ending. And you’re going to want more.

5 Stars

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Synopsis:

My name is Sheryl Ilene Newcomb. And yes, my initials are
S.I.N. A funny little piece of whimsical humor my parents found amusing when I
arrived. Mom and Dad were two high school sweethearts who adored their guns,
their beer and their self-appointed titles of King and Queen of the Rebellious
Rednecks. The day I arrived, they didn’t think anyone in the town would have
the mental acuity to put two and two together to discover their little inside
joke. Shame on the pathetic excuses who called themselves teachers in this
dreary city, because Mom and Dad had been right: no one caught on to their
little attempt at humor.
Then, it turned out to be true. Looking back with wiser eyes
now, my family and I concluded that the events leading up to my transformation
started the summer I turned nine. But the day we realized there was a problem,
and no turning back, was a week before I started my senior year at Junction City
High. The day the fangs and claws appeared and the monster inside of me
emerged. When mutilated corpses appeared near a pile of brush down by Caney
Creek, everything changed.

 

That day, I changed, forever. Because evil woke up and
growled, its ominous rumblings heard by every living thing in Locasia County,
Mississippi.
 
Click the link above to get the book from Amazon.
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PLUS!
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The following prizes are available:
2 winners will receive a free code for the following audio
books:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
2 winners will receive signed paperbacks of the following
books:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
2 winners will receive ebooks of the following:
Accountable to None; Zero Balance; Adjusting Journal
Entries; Number Seventy-Five; The Lie; Empty Shell
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1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Ice Massacre and Evil Beach ~ Beware, Beauty

Posted: December 31, 2014 in Fantasy, horror, reviews, Supernatural, suspense
Tags: , , , , ,
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One of my goals for 2015 is to read and review the books I’ve won in giveaways and books I’ve picked up for free from Amazon. So I’m starting now.

Today I’m sharing two books.

I won Ice Massacre in a giveaway some time ago.

The other book, Evil Beach, was a free book from Amazon.

You can click on the covers to buy them.

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Ice Massacre

by Tiana Warner

22718724

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My Review

How could I resist a book about mermaids, especially some deadly ones.

This isn’t a whimsical, romantic tale of beautiful mermaids. Yes, they can be beautiful, but when they  change to feed, their true nature is unmasked and they become monsters with red eyes, scaly skin, and teeth like pointed daggers.

No one knows why the mermaids came to the island of Eriana Kwai or why they started to attack the sailors. For many years now, the islanders have sent out ships filled with warriors to try to destroy the mermaids. Year after year the ships don’t return and the mermaids continue to rule the seas, cutting them off from the bounties of the deep, forcing them into poverty and desperation.

No matter what they tried, even training the men to fight blind to resist the hypnotic eyes of the sirens, fails.  Then, what was tossed out as a futile suggestion was implemented and a new ship set sail, armed with twenty young girls, maiden warriors that will not fall to the sirens call of the mermaids.

All hope rests on these maidens. Hope they will succeed. Hope the fishermen can return to the seas. Hope for freedom once again.

I read this book in one evening, completely captured by the characters and action.

A young girl, defying the edicts of her people, ventures to the beach and rescues a young female mermaid. The two become secret friends until a betrayal brings Meela back to earth. These creatures killed her brother, killed so many brave young men. They are a parasite that must be destroyed.

Meela is wise for her years and becomes a fierce warrior. When they maidens set sail to the the mermaids nest, I was confident they would succeed. Until the first encounter.

These mermaids are smart, working together and using the seas resources to battle the humans, and they are relentless.

Some of the descriptions of their change from alluring to lethal really chilled me and the battles were bloody and cold-hearted on both sides, the seas red with blood There’s no room for mercy or humanity against them.

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There’s emotional conflict too. Meela isn’t heartless and is torn between protecting her people and what she can do to change things.

As the girls battle the mermaids, they also battle each other. Being trapped on a ship together in the vast ocean, they are bound to clash and leaderships will be challenged.

 Girls become women become warriors in a bloody battle for survival.

The war is ongoing and I’m looking forward to more high seas action.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

A mermaid’s supernatural beauty serves one purpose: to lure a sailor to his death.

The Massacre is supposed to bring peace to Eriana Kwai. Every year, the island sends its warriors to battle these hostile sea demons. Every year, the warriors fail to return. Desperate for survival, the island must decide on a new strategy. Now, the fate of Eriana Kwai lies in the hands of twenty battle-trained girls and their resistance to a mermaid’s allure.

Eighteen-year-old Meela has already lost her brother to the Massacre, and she has lived with a secret that’s haunted her since childhood. For any hope of survival, she must overcome the demons of her past and become a ruthless mermaid killer.

For the first time, Eriana Kwai’s Massacre warriors are female, and Meela must fight for her people’s freedom on the Pacific Ocean’s deadliest battleground.

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Evil Beach

by Anthony Renfro

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My Review

This is written as a story in a story.

The author opens with an old man sitting in his rocking chair sharing a story with his two grandsons. A story about two young boys and an evil beach.

Seth and Junior stumble upon a cave, and being boys, they dare each other to enter. Inside, it is dark and creepy, but as they continue further into the cave they see light and step through to an isolated strip of pristine beach.

beach cave photo: Cave cave.jpg

At first, they are thrilled to have their own secret beach but when they turn around, something written on the rocks invites and warns them. It’s almost like a dare, so of course the boys attempt to do what it says, building something in the sand.

What seemed like a lark became their worst nightmare and and soon they had to return to the cave and the beach, pursued by something out of their nightmares.

I’m very much into character driven stories and am amazed at how well the author developed his in so few words. The old man and grandsons didn’t even have names, yet I could see them sitting on that porch, the boys rapt as their grandfather spun his tale.

And Seth and Junior, the two boys in the tale, reacted just like you’d expect them too. They believe they are invincible and grow up fast when they discover they aren’t.

A well written short story that captured me from beginning, to middle, to end.

The author ‘pulled my leg’ with his twist at the end, tying the two tales together.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

A short story about two boys who discover a hidden beach and the evil deadly secrets that lie within its soft white grains of sand.

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Scary is as scary does!

Happy New year and thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

Counterphobia ~ A collection of phobias to keep you up at night.

Posted: December 30, 2014 in horror, reviews, Short stories and collections, Supernatural, suspense
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Everybody has a phobia, right?

In Counterphbobia you’ll be introduced to some creepy ones.

Seven tales, seven phobias, seven reasons to sleep with the lights on!

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My Review

I’ve had the pleasure of reading some of William’s stories and that drew me to read his collection, Counterphobia.

There are seven stories, each with it’s own phobia. I’m choosing to do a short review of each story with an overall rating for the complete book. So here we go.

Welcome Home (Nostophobia)

I like it when I go into a book thinking I’m getting one thing, and I get something totally different. This happened when I began reading Welcome Home. I thought it was going to be a haunted house story.

The story is haunting, but there are no actual ghosts. What’s there is something shadowing John Lester. It’s like when you see something out of the corner of your eye, and when you turn to look, nothing is there. But this isn’t visual so much as it’s memories. They haunt John’s sleep, staying just out of reach of recall.

While this didn’t really scare me, it did surprise me and that’s always a good thing.

A good story for a rainy day.

No One Lives Forever (Thanatophobia)

Jacob thinks he’s being stalked.

He first sees the white haired man in black when he goes to step on the elevator at work. The elevator is already crowded with thirteen people so he waits for the next one.

The next day, while walking to work, he sees the same man again, walking towards him.

Something about the man gives him the chills but he gathers himself and approaches him. The stranger seems to know Jacob but reveals no agenda. Just says, “I’ll be seeing you.”

The next day Jacob catches the news on TV and sees where twelve people died when an elevator crashed. Weren’t there thirteen people on the elevator? Wasn’t the man in black on that elevator?

The next day, the man in black is waiting for him outside his apartment. Jacob has to wonder, who is he, is he alive, what does he want from him?

You’ll be surprised at what he wants from Jacob and who he is.

Great twist.

Chuckles The Clown (Coulrophobia)

Ever since I read Stephen King’s IT, I’ve had a thing about clowns. This only makes that feeling stronger.

Thirteen year old Simon thinks he’s too old for the carnival. His mother, tired of his whining, suggests he go to the arcade and play some games. As Simon walks away she issues a warning, “Watch out for clowns.”

Walking toward the arcade, Simon thinks he catches a glimpse of one, the clown barely discernible as it slips through the crowd, and remembers his mothers warning.

He sees it again, more clearly. It looks like a normal clown, until it smiles, revealing a mouth full of knives, and it’s eyes, yellow and glowing.

Simon’s father sees it too. Good thing he followed Simon to the arcade to watch over him. They arrive safely at home to discover a small clown figure waiting for them. Innocent looking if they hadn’t seen the clown at the carnival.

Is it a warning? Did the carnival clown leave it for them? Will he be coming back?

So creepy.

Porcelain (Pediophobia)

I read and reviewed this earlier this year so I’m adding parts of my review.

I love horror, whether reading it or watching it. There are lots of movies about dolls. Let’s see. There’s all those Puppet Masters movies. How about Chuckie? Now, that’s one messed up doll. I would never have bought that for my kid. And now we have Annabelle. Have you seen The Conjuring? That doll was scary evil and wasn’t even the main plot in the movie.

I can go back much further. Ventriloquists. Their dolls come to life. Seen a few different takes on that idea.

So yes, the whole doll taking on a life of its own has been done before. It’s the author’s ability to take that and hone it to their own tale that reveals their talent and creativity. William didn’t disappoint me.

A weary traveler stops at a bed & breakfast for the night. It’s a rather lovely place with lots of collectibles on display.

The older woman who owns the place explains that each item has a history, it’s own story.

When the woman is pulled away from the conversation by a phone call and the guest kills time looking over the many objects, one in particular catches his eye.

A porcelain doll, quite lovely. His daughter would love it.

When the guest checks out in the morning, the doll travels with him to his condo. There it will wait until he visits his daughter.

But the doll won’t wait for long. It has quite a history and is ready to make a new one.

 I thought I saw the end coming. I was so wrong about that. Once the author revealed the dolls history, it went every which way but the way I thought it would.

The suspense was nail biting. If this were a movie, I’d be peeking through my fingers.

Scary good stuff.

The Shape (Sciophobia)

Kyle Morgan has a severe case of insomnia. He hasn’t had more that two hours of sleep over the past three days. He desperately needs to sleep.

After another night of lying in the dark, wishing for sleep, he gets up to go to the bathroom. Staring at his haggard appearance in the mirror, he sees a faint shape, a shadow, behind him. Nothing’s there when he turns around.

He becomes haunted by the shadow. Could it be hallucinations from lack of sleep? They say you can go insane.

What if it’s real? What does it want?

Lying in the dark, tired, your mind can play tricks on you. Your fears can become magnified. What if those fears are justified?

The Lake (Limnophobia)

It’s a beautiful day and Charlie is spending it at the park, watching the families grilling out and the kids swimming in the lake. The only thing that isn’t pleasing about this setting is the strange smell of bleach hovering around the lake.

While watching a child walk through the tall grass by the shore, he sees something strange and gets a sense of danger. The boy makes it through the grass and wades into the lake. Just when Charlie thinks things are okay, something grabs the boy and pulls him under.

Quickly rushing to save the boy, Charlie doesn’t give up on the tug of war and rescues the boy. As the crowd fusses over the child, the smell of bleach returns and something grabs Charlie and pulls him under.

The smell of bleach, something reaching out to pull you into the water. I know what you’re thinking, but this is something else, something dark, cold, maybe ancient.

Disquieting and chilling.

The Sinkhole (Agateophobia)

It’s June in Florida. That saying about being so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk is true. I actually tried it and it worked, though I didn’t eat the egg.

The man catches a ride to the store with his friend Mark, who repairs sinkholes. Mark invites him to come along when he gets a call to inspect a new sinkhole.

When the men arrive they discover the mother of all sinkholes. A huge hole has appeared in the people yard, fifteen feet wide, at least a hundred feet deep, and filled with black water that reeks of sulfur.

As the man gazes into the hole, mesmerized by the inky blackness, he hears a whisper, a voice but not a voice, words but not words. Feeling ill, he snaps himself out of it and gets Mark to drop him off at home.

Later, waking in the dark, the man feels a need to return to the sinkhole, to hear the whispers, the words, to peer into the black water, and find out what lurks there.

He should have stayed in bed.

So there you have it. Seven phobias that will keep you up at night. While not all of these would get a 5 star rating from me, enough of them did to give this collection an over all rating of:

5 Stars

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Synopsis

COUNTERPHOBIA: The pursuit of situations and instances in direct relation to an individual’s fear for the purpose of overcoming this fear, or to find pleasure or excitement in it. Symptoms of counterphobia while subjecting oneself to these fears can include trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, and even panic attacks. You were warned.

WELCOME HOME tells the tale of John Lester, a man who inherits his old family home – and with it a dark secret.

CHUCKLES THE CLOWN delves into Jake’s fear of clowns and gives him even more reason to be afraid of them.

NO ONE LIVES FOREVER follows Jacob as he narrowly avoids a fatal accident though finds out there’s more to it than he thought.

Face your fears as you read through these stories and more in this menagerie of works that includes a little something for all kinds of horror fans.

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Author William Hage

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, William became obsessed with all things horror at a young age. He indulged himself greatly in horror films of all sorts as well as horror literature. Over the years he became heavily inspired and influenced by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, and Edgar Allen Poe.

William has recently self-published two stories on Amazon. Welcome Home: A Short Story & Porcelain: A Novelette. He also has 3 stories published in the magazine Sanitarium.

When he isn’t writing, William has a deep love for technology and bides his time researching the latest things and has spent years working with computers.

William also appeared in a few bands writing songs and playing guitar, having recorded two albums with his former band ESM.

Author Links

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Website ~ Twitter

Facebook

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Do these sound scary enough for you? Read them, I dare ya!

And thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Mateguas Island ~ A Novel of Terror and Syspense by Linda Watkins

Posted: December 29, 2014 in Blog Tour, Excerpt, horror, Supernatural, suspense
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I love a good ghost story or supernatural suspense.

And what would be the best place for it all to do down but an isolated island.

Looking for something to keep you jumping at shadows and things that go bump in the night?

You should check out Mateguas Island.

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Supernatural Fiction, Ghosts, Suspense, Horror
Date Published: April 2014
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Synopsis
On a remote island, a troubled family is trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. But, unbeknownst to them, the property they have inherited is shrouded in ancient magic – magic that could seek to consume and destroy them.
An arcane locked box, a strange and foreboding trail into the woods, a seductive young woman and tales of a malevolent spirit are just some of the perils Karen Andersen must face in order to find a way to save her family.
A spine-tingling tale filled with passion, lies and betrayal, this début novel will have you sleeping with the lights on!

Check out this glimpse inside!

A flash of lightning lit up the sky illuminating the L-shaped room where Sophie and Terri slept. The light was so bright, it startled Sophie awake and she sat up rubbing her eyes. When she could finally focus she was surprised to see their room was suffused by a golden glow that lingered long after the lightning faded. As she gazed about the room in wonder, she saw her twin standing by the window that looked out to the backyard.

“Ter, what ya doin’?” she asked.

Terri turned her head, a bright smile on her face. “Soph, come see. It’s beautiful. It’s like a fairy world.”

Sophie got out of bed and joined her sister at the window. Her eyes widened in amazement when she saw what was happening outside. Scores of fireflies were dancing around one of the bushes in the yard, their light sparkling and shimmering in the wind and rain.

“It looks like Christmas,” said Sophie, her voice filled with awe.

“Yeah, Soph. See how they dance. And listen – I think they’re singing.”

Sophie pressed her face to the glass, straining to hear. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Close your eyes and really listen.”

Sophie did as her sister instructed. In a moment she nodded her head eagerly. “I hear it. I hear it. It’s like magic. It’s so pretty.”

The girls grinned in delight as they listened to the sweet melodic song of the fireflies.

“What language is it?” Sophie whispered. “I don’t understand it but I love it.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like it before.”

They stood quietly listening and watching the spectacle taking place before them oblivious to the storm that was raging. But in an instant, their joy was cut short by a loud crack of thunder that shook the house. The room plunged into darkness as the golden glow was extinguished and the fireflies disappeared.

“Look,” whispered Sophie pointing her finger to the yard.

Terri gripped her sister’s hand tightly as she watched a shadowy figure streak across the lawn toward the woods. A flash of lightning lit up the sky, temporarily blinding the girls and when their sight returned, the figure was gone.

They stood transfixed, waiting to see what would happen next. Then a soft mournful sob, barely audible at first, pierced the silence. Stunned, Terri and Sophie hugged each other in fear as the sobs became more desperate. The wind began to howl and mournful cries echoed in the night. Tears streamed down Sophie’s cheeks as she recognized the voice that was now calling out her name.

“It sounds like Mommy, Ter! Is it Mommy? Please, is it Mommy?”

Terri leaned forward, her body rigid as she strained to recognize the voice calling to them. The sound was so familiar but not real, not like her mother. Yet, it was her. “Soph, it is Mommy. She sounds in so much pain. I think she’s hurt. We have to help her.”

Terri gripped her sister’s hand tightly. The cries were becoming more plaintive now as if the caller was losing hope.

“We have to wake Daddy. He’ll know what to do.”

Terri shook her head. “We can’t get Daddy, Soph. What if it’s his fault? What if he hurt her again? You heard them fighting. No, it’s up to us, Soph. We have to help her.”

The girls stood staring at each other for what seemed a lifetime, then Sophie nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go. We have to find Mommy. We have to save her.”

Terri took her sister’s hand and squeezed it. Together they tiptoed out of their room and down the stairs. They stopped briefly at the hall closet and put their slickers on over their nightclothes to try to stay dry and grabbed a flashlight. Then hand in hand, they opened the door and, without hesitation, went silently out into the storm.

 

Buy Links

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About Author Linda Watkins
Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Linda Watkins moved to Michigan when she was four years old. After graduation from college (Carnegie-Mellon University ’70), Ms. Watkins relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area where she lived most of her adult life. A Senior Clinical Financial Analyst at Stanford University School of Medicine, Linda was always writing. At work, she created ‘long forms’ and business plans; at home, she wrote whimsical stories, poems and songs for the delight of her friends and family. In 2006, retired, she moved to Chebeague Island, Maine where she wrote her first novel, MATEGUAS ISLAND.Today, she resides in Western Michigan with her three rescue dogs (Splatter, Spudley and Jasper) and has just completed the sequel to MATEGUAS which she anticipates will be published by Christmas 2014.
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

AWOL ~ A Character Lost ~ New Release by Anthony Renfro and some freebies!

Posted: December 10, 2014 in Book Promos, Freebies!, horror, New Release, otherworldly, suspense
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Anthony Renfro has a new book!

AWOL

A Character Lost

I can’t wait to read it.

You can read it for free on Screwpulp.

I’ve read his Zombie Holiday Trilology and loved it.

I’m now working through his other stories.

My reviews will be coming soon.

And Anthony has some more freebies to share with you.

Come on in.

Check out AWOL.

And grab some free books!

AWOL.

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Blurb

Imagine that you are a character in a story.

You have a home.

You have a life.

You have it all.

Then suddenly you wake up alone and afraid in a cold, dark place. Somehow you find your courage and your voice. When you ask for help, words light up on a wall in the darkness. You read them and realize you are in the creative center of your author’s mind. Instead of rescuing you, the author asks you for help.

This book is about the journey of that character, as he moves from story to story desperately trying to find his home.

Free Examples:

http://books.noisetrade.com/atothewr/awol-a-character-lost

http://dummy.pressbooks.com/

http://www.wattpad.com/story/27332743-awol-a-character-lost-the-first-two-chapters

Find the novel AWOL here:

Smashwords: 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/498137

Amazon:

Paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/150533277X

EBook:

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QJ8DE14

UK: http://buff.ly/1FUrawb

Australia: http://buff.ly/1FUrElX

Canada: http://buff.ly/1vRX4q8

*****

For Free and in MOBI, EPUB, and PDF Files

Screwpulp:

https://www.screwpulp.com/?browse&*=info&id=180

About Screwpulp

Screwpulp has created a new ebook marketplace that gives authors a better way to reach an audience and earn more revenue. We are at the forefront of a publishing renaissance. Not since the screw press has there been so much change in the industry. Change in the way we write, change in the way we read, change in the way we acquire books; what hasn’t changed is the way that many publishers feel that they are the sole guardians at the gate. Thousands of great books are only in existence thanks to authors who had the courage to keep pushing, after tens, hundreds, of rejection letters. What good is writing the next great novel if nobody gets to read it? We created Screwpulp to get books into the hands of readers and let their voices be heard. Everybody has a voice, the author wants to be heard, and if the reader likes it they’ll want to tell their friends.

How Screwpulp works

At Screwpulp, we publish everybody. By giving away the initial copies of the book for free, in exchange for a mention on social media and a star rating, we quickly get your book into the hands of readers. This builds a fan base for the author quickly and this exchange creates buzz around your work. As demand for the book goes up so does the price in one dollar increments. Now new readers have a rating system to show the quality of the work before anyone buys it. Authors keep all of the rights to their works and retain 75 percent of the profit. The only thing we ask of the author is to keep their book on Screwpulp for a minimum of ninety days. We are partnering with different organizations to help authors with cover design, editing and formatting. We will unveil more tools over time.

About our name

Screwpulp? How did you get the name? We get asked this question a lot, so let us explain. The screw press was the first printing method that allowed for books to be made with moveable type in mass. Now that we’re in the digital age, the move away from paper, or pulp, is becoming the new normal. A merging of these two ideas led us to the name we have today, Screwpulp.

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And more awesome news!

Anthony Renfro is going to have all of his books available as free downloads!

I’ve read his Zombie Holiday Trilogy and I’m reviewing each story to coincide with each holiday.

You can find the link to my A Zombie Thanksgiving review further into this post.

And I’ll be reviewing A Zombie Christmas on the 18th so be sure to stop back by! There will be another short story surprise review also.

So check out the dates, mark your calendar or save this post, and get your books FREE!

Click on the covers to see the books on Amazon and get your free copies on the specified dates.

Here is the schedule.

December 7 – 8

Killer Treads

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December 9 – 10

A Haunted House Tale

A short story about five students on Halloween night who discover the secrets and terrors of the town's most infamous haunted house.

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December 11 – 12

Daylight Vampires and Sunrise Werewolves

A Western short story about a town called Saltwater Junction besieged by creatures of the night who now do their stalking in the bright light of day.

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December 13 – 14

Terror Ride

A short story about the evil that consumes two guys who decide to steal a car and take a joyride late one night.

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December 15 – 16

Evil Beach

A short story about two boys who discover a hidden beach and the evil deadly secrets that lie within its soft white grains of sand.

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Here’s the schedule for when his Zombie Holiday Stories will be free.

A Zombie Thanksgiving: December 9 – 13

You can read my review HERE.

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A Zombie Christmas: December 17 – 18

Catch my review on December 18th also.

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A Zombie New Year: December 12 and December 20 – 21

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A Zombie Holiday Trilogy: December 19th

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Author Anthony Renfro

Anthony Renfro

Anthony Renfro lives in Apex, North Carolina. He is a reader, writer, runner, husband, father, and stay at home dad – one of the toughest jobs anyone could ever do. He was born in Bristol, Tennessee, and is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro.

You can find him at many spots on the web, but if you really need to find his center in the social media storm it would be at his blog, apoetryjourney.wordpress.com.

Now reach out, just beyond the light, right into that big black space, and let him take your hand on a journey into cold dark places. You will be scared, and you may even be terrified, but in the end you might just find you liked the ride.

Find him on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

It’s Here! The Release Day Launch for NOCTE ~ Get wowed and enter the giveaway

Posted: November 3, 2014 in Book Promos, giveaways, New Adult, Release day, Romance, suspense
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Nocte RDL Banner

 

We are beyond excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Courtney Cole’s NOCTE! NOCTE is a New Adult dark romantic psychological suspense novel. Hang on tight because this book will blow you away…

You heard it here folks!

Come on in. Feast your eyes.

Read the excerpt. Check out the smokin hot teasers.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

 

Nocte

Barnes & Noble ** Kobo ** Amazon ** iBooks

 

Nocte Forward letter

Enjoy this excerpt:

Glancing up, I suck my breath in when I find dark eyes connected to mine, eyes so dark they’re almost black, and the energy in them is enough to freeze me in place.

A boy is attached to the dark gaze.

A man.

He’s probably no more than twenty or twenty-one, but everything about him screams man. There’s no boy in him. That part of him is very clearly gone. I see it in his eyes, in the way he holds himself, in the perceptive way he takes in his surroundings, then stares at me with singular focus, like we’re somehow connected by a tether. He’s got a million contradictions in his eyes….aloofness, warmth, mystery, charm, and something else I can’t define.

He’s muscular, tall, and wearing a tattered black sweatshirt that says Irony is lost on you in orange letters. His dark jeans are belted with black leather, and a silver band encircles his middle finger.

Dark hair tumbles into his face and a hand with long fingers impatiently brushes it back, all the while his eyes are still connected with mine. His jaw is strong and masculine, with the barest hint of stubble.

His gaze is still connected to mine, like a livewire, or a lightning bolt. I can feel the charge of it racing along my skin, like a million tiny fingers, flushing my cheeks. My lungs flutter and I swallow hard.

And then, he smiles at me.

At me.

Because I don’t know him and he doesn’t know better.

 

Book Trailer:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsso1-ZxMGQ]

 

NOCTE Synopsis:

SAVE ME AND I’LL SAVE YOU….

My name is Calla Price. I’m eighteen years old, and I’m one half of a whole.
My other half– my twin brother, my Finn– is crazy.

I love him. More than life, more than anything. And even though I’m terrified he’ll suck me down with him, no one can save him but me.

I’m doing all I can to stay afloat in a sea of insanity, but I’m drowning more and more each day. So I reach out for a lifeline.

Dare DuBray.

He’s my savior and my anti-Christ. His arms are where I feel safe, where I’m afraid, where I belong, where I’m lost. He will heal me, break me, love me and hate me.
He has the power to destroy me.

Maybe that’s ok. Because I can’t seem to save Finn and love Dare without everyone getting hurt.

Why? Because of a secret.

A secret I’m so busy trying to figure out, that I never see it coming.

You won’t either.

 

Nocte teaser

 

HeadshotABOUT COURTNEY COLE:

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.

 

 

 

Website |Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp|Pinterest

 

 

Nocte Blurb Teaser

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Release Day Launch Giveaway

NOCTE swag pack, including a signed copy of NOCTE and a clue to book 2

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Did they go too far? Supergirls ~ Guest Post, Review, and Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2014 in Blog Tour, giveaways, horror, reviews, suspense
Tags: , ,
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Supergirls Tour Banner copy

I have so much to share with ya’ll today!

Mav Skye is here to tell us about the sisters in her suspense novella, Supergirls.

I’ve got the blurb and an excerpt for ya,

along with my review.

And, there’s a giveaway, so don’t forget to enter.

Enjoy!

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Supergirls KindleCover

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Before we get to my review, Mav has written a special guest post for us. I asked her to share with us  something about her characters, sisters May and Jenn.

Take it away Mav!

The Sisters behind Supergirls

by Mav Skye

 

I once jumped off our second story balcony. No one was chasing me and I wasn’t pushed. I did it because I thought if I stretched out my arms and took that leap of faith, I’d start flying like Supergirl. I wasn’t sure where the cape would come from; maybe it would spring out of my shoulders like wings. I was only five years old, low on hope, and desperate to try anything.

When I hit the grass, I didn’t break any bones, but my dreams shattered. I wasn’t Supergirl, and I never would be. I couldn’t rescue the world. Hell, I couldn’t even rescue myself. I had been through more than a rough spell of abuse at the hands of people who should loved me. I think this knowledge, all of it, hurt my heart more than the ground had hurt my head. I’m pretty sure I had a concussion that day. I remember laying there looking up at the clouds, feeling sad, insignificant. I wanted to believe that hurt I had endured was for some purpose…just like in my favorite comic books and movies.

Where do Supergirls Jenn and May come from? My childhood dream of becoming Supergirl and making sure justice prevailed for those souls that hurt as much as mine did.

There are watershed moments in life; choices we make that send us down a particular path. The difference between the sisters’ life and my own is I had therapists to work with me and show me that there are always choices. I learned there are consequences to every choice I make, good or bad. I live my life. Life doesn’t live me. Jenn and May never had a break, they never had someone to care for them or show them a way out. My life improved, but the sisters spiral down, down, down.

The girls differ quite a bit from each other from their looks and personalities to their own definitions of justice.

May’s looks are based on my sister. She’s tall, gorgeous, and elegant. And yes, her long blond hair really does look like a cape when the wind sweeps it from her shoulders. There’s something ethereal about my sister. I adore her. However, May’s personality is nowhere close to my sister’s. It is pure fiction.

Jenn is short, brunette, and hot. May’s looks will catch your eye, but Jenn’s will hold it. She has sharp cheekbones, and serious eyes. She’s a determined woman with a plan. God help the fool who crosses her. She’s more likely grimacing than smiling, frowning than grinning, but her heart is pure gold.

Jenn is def the more dominant sister. She has control issues stemming from childhood sexual abuse. Her mother whored her out for drugs. She remembers every lick of it. Jenn is compelled to right the wrongs inflicted upon her and May, to fix their damaged lives, no matter what the cost. Her love and devotion for May drives her to risk everything to save her sister from their shitty lives.

Unfortunately, this stress eventually gets to her, snapping her sanity. She chooses to be blind to it. Bit by bit, she lets go. The “letting go” phrase in Supergirls has multiple connotations. The obvious meaning is going cuckoo for coco puffs, but I hope readers catch the deeper significance: there is nothing in the world like releasing your past, all your worries, all your stress. You may as well be tap-dancing on top of the world… the problem comes when you let go of yourself. It’s a delicate balance. Here is where Jenn and May differ again: Jenn holds onto the past, May lets it go. Jenn tries to maintain a grip on reality, and as a result loses it. May doesn’t care. She accepts things for what they are. And when she falls, she accepts that, too.

May is much more laid back. Jenn thinks she is fragile, but May is indomitable. Her spirit is wild and carefree. Her mind has chosen to forget the abuse. Mental illness gives her a unique perspective. It is her illness that empowers her. It makes her strong, brave. Her weakness is her strength. It’s one of the reasons we love her so much.

When younger, one of their mother’s long time boyfriends, Freddie Dean, had an exceptional fascination with May. Freddie did more than steal May’s innocence, he stole her mind away, but her spirit remains untouched. She may not remember the abusive atrocities she endured, but May’s sense of justice is strong.

May wants to serve justice on those who deserve it, Kill Bill style. However, later in the story when she accidentally murders one of Fat Bastard’s victims, it breaks her. She can’t face that she has become the murderous monster.

Supergirls is about love and heartache and desperation. I hope to touch my readers with this tale, maybe even rekindle a few childhood fantasies. Most of all, I want my readers to think about who they love, what is most precious to them, and perhaps hold that person a bit tighter after reading Supergirls.

The second book, Night Without Stars, is due out early 2015.

Thanks so much for sharing Mav!

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MY REVIEW

Every now and then I’m surprised by the beginning of a book. I wasn’t just surprised by this one, I was shocked. I was unsure if I should continue reading it.

But this isn’t the first time I almost didn’t read a book because of its beginning, so I continued on. I’m glad I did, because the beginning says a lot about the characters and their world. A world I’m not familiar with and hope to never have to live in.

I come from a family with three older sisters, me being the youngest, so I felt a strong connection to May and Jenn. I felt sorry for and disgusted by these sisters. They were a product of circumstances and I could empathize with them. Why they did what they did. But that doesn’t excuse everything. Not the extremes they went to.

Then the author had to throw in a loop-hole and I felt sorry for them again.

Jenn is oldest.  Strong. She looked after her baby sister, May.  Tried to keep her safe and on her meds, so she didn’t go off the deep end. The place May called Letting Go.

They cook up a plan to rob Frederick Bells, a rich pervert and sadist. It’s rumored he has millions stashed in his mansion.

What May does to get inside and that Jenn even lets her, says a lot about how desperate these girls are. They just want to live a normal life, but I’m thinking it might not be in the cards.

Too much can go wrong, and does, with disturbing consequences. I had to hand it to these two. They didn’t give up, no matter how bad it got, and it got really, really bad. They kept pushing on, striving for that pot of gold.

The things they encounter are reminiscent of the movie Saw, and were cringe worthy. Kudos to the author for putting me there, in the bloody thick of it. I didn’t relax until the final word. And the ending is something else all together. Whoa!

The title says a suspense novel, but I call it horror and a macabre trip into a madhouse.

I’d not recommend this to younger readers because of the situations. For those of you who like something different, something disturbing yet real, I’d suggest you read this. It’s not your ordinary horror.

4 Stars

~~~

Blurb

Sisters Jenn and May have finally found their golden ticket out of the slums. Pervy sugar daddy, Frederick Bells, promises to be an easy score with a big payoff—millions are hidden within his mansion.

The plan is simple: tie up the pig, steal his cash, and skip town. But fate has a different plan, including a villain with a wicked imagination. The sisters resort to playing their childhood game SUPERGIRLS to battle their fears in Bell’s den of horrors.

Will the SUPERGIRLS find their prize or will their heads join the pile behind the black cellar door?

~~~

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Excerpt

A narrow door with a brass knob catches my eye. It blends into the wall. “The closet,” I whisper.

We both walk to it, look at each other. I open the door. It is dark. A lone pull string hangs from a bulb. It tick-tocks back and forth like a grandfather clock tongue. I watch it a second, willing it to stop ticking, but it moves anyway in its own ghostly rhythm. I hesitate. Do I really want to see? Not just inside the closet, but see our lives clearly: May and mine, always looking for the next 7-11 job to get screwed at, flip a trick to pay rent, grab a buck burger for dinner, never having a real boyfriend, the weight of paying for May’s meds. What is the price for a dream, for peace? Our mother’s price (her face appears in my mind, navy blue eyes and a pale pretty mouth, a scar the shape of a kiss on her cheek) was running away. The price, I know, is always hefty and… complete.

What would my price be?

The string tick-tocks on.

“Maybe we should just leave,” whispers May.

Her statement reflects my thoughts, but in her voicing it out loud, I feel angry. Running away. It’s what we’ve always done, what our mother did. We aren’t going back to that life. No way.

Tonight everything is going to change.

“Not without the money,” I say, and grab the string.

~~~

Author Mav Skye

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When Mav Skye isn’t turning innocent characters into axe murderers, refinishing old furniture, chasing around her spring ducklings, or reading the latest horror novel, she’s editing at the almighty Pulp Metal Magazine.

She adores puppies, pirates, skulls, red hots, Tarantino movies and yes, Godzilla.

Especially Godzilla.

She is the author of Supergirls and The Undistilled Sky. Look for her wicked horror romance, Wanted:Single Rose, this fall and the second book in the Supergirls series, Night without Stars, early 2015.

 Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Supergirls is available in print or ebook at: Payhip : https://payhip.com/b/ijUy (50% discount at Payhip if you “share” the book) & Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LWHA438, Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LWHA438?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

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