fuonlyknew

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Juche organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Adria Carmichael will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 Juche

by Adria Carmichael

Genre: YA / Dystopian

Synopsis

Just when Areum – daughter of a privileged family in the totalitarian state of Choson (North Korea) – thought she was free from her personal prison, her world collapses around her as her family is taken away in the middle of the night to a hell-like camp in the mountains where people who have strayed from the righteous path are brutally re-educated through blood, sweat, tears, and starvation.

There she has to fight for survival together with the family she hates and is forced to re-evaluate every aspect of her life until then: her deep resentment toward her twin sister; her view of her father in the face of mounting evidence that he is a traitor with the blood of millions of fellow countrymen on his hands; and even her love and affection for the Great General – the eternal savior and protector of Choson, whom she had always considered her true father.

Note from the author:

Have you ever wondered what the world looks like when seen through an indoctrinated mind?

This is a topic that has intrigued me for as long as I can remember, so when I came up with the idea to write a book many years ago, I decided to create it from the viewpoint of a victim of indoctrination… which in the end became Areum (the protagonist of the story).

What I try to explore in this story is how deep the indoctrination of a 14-year old girl can run and how much “reality” it can be exposed to before breaking… if it will break at all. As a comparison, the defectors from North Korea who arrive in South Korea are isolated for three months in a de-programming facility called Hanawon before they are allowed to join society where they go through this process in a more controlled (and less brutal) way than Areum.

I hope you will enjoy this slightly different take on the dystopian genre!

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Enjoy this peek inside:

A loud screech in the sky interrupts me. I look up. A large black crow is circling high above us. Then another crow joins in. The screeching intensifies. Another one joins in, and then another. Before I know it, the whole sky has turned black with a swirling mass of crows, flying in a tornado-like circle right above us. I feel their beady eyes looking down at me.

The mass of crows now forms a funnel, spiraling downward toward us. I scream and put my hands up in defense. But the crows don’t target me. The black moving mass instead completely consumes the living corpse of my dad.

“NOOO!” I scream as I helplessly witness the crows dismembering him piece by piece right before my eyes. They pull his eyeballs out from their sockets. They tear the skin from his arms and legs. I cry and scream. I want to run to him, to help him… but I still can’t move.

Then it’s all over, and the crows disperse and ascend back into the sky, bringing their ear-piercing screech and the pieces of my father’s body with them. What was left of him is now again lying lifelessly on the ground. His face is still turned to me, but he had no more dead eyes to look at me with.

Another screech makes me look up to the sky again. The crows are circling ominously. Faster and faster. The screeching intensifies, cutting painfully into my ears, as they once more swirl down towards me like a tornado. I put my hands up in defense and scream as the first crow brushes against my hair. Another one grabs my arm with its claws. I try to break free, but my feet are still glued to the ground.

I now have crows all over my body, and as the one on my arm penetrates my skin with its beak, I…

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About Author Adria Carmichael

Adria Carmichael is a writer of dystopian fiction with a twist. When she is not devouring dystopian and post-apocalyptic content in any format – books, movies, TV-series and PlayStation games – she is crafting the epic and highly-addictive Juche saga, her 2020 debut novel series that takes place in the brutal, totalitarian nation of Choson. When the limit of doom and gloom is reached, a 10K run on a sunny day or binging a silly sitcom on a rainy day is her go-to way to unwind.

Author links: Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / BookBub

Amazon Buy links:

Juche 1 – The Demon of Yodok

Juche 2 – The Weeping Masses

Juche 3 – The Storm of Storms

Juche 4 – Freedom or Death

Juche 1-4 Box Set

The author has put this box set on sale for only $0.99 for the entire four book set effective immediately, for the remainder of the tour.

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am so excited that I get to spread the love for the SUNSET RISING SERIES by S.M.
McEachern!

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If you haven’t yet heard about these wonderful books, be sure to check out all the
details below.

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This blitz also includes a giveaway for 2 eBook sets of the complete series from S.M.
& Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

About the Books:

Title: SUNSET RISING, WORLDS COLLIDE, NEW WORLD ORDER (Sunset Rising
Series)

Author: S.M. McEachern 

Pub. Date: Final book was published in 2015

Publisher: Clownfish Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 284

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Find them: 

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Book 1 FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

Book 2: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

Book 3: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

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From Book 1:

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“This book has it all—love story, good vs evil, drama, and suspense. Definitely a book you can’t put down!” – Midwest Book Review

“I’ve seen it compared to The Hunger Games and I’d have to agree. I can already see the movie version
becoming a hit!” Amazon Reviewer

2015 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for best YA Dystopian

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Deep inside a mountain in what used to be North America dwells the last of humanity. Welcome to the Biodome, where steel, rock and armed guards separate the privileged from the slaves.

Born and raised a slave in the Pit, Sunny O’Donnell has always accepted that she’ll spend her life working to keep the Dome running and, if she lives long enough, willingly meet her end in the annual Cull when she reaches the age of thirty-five. This was the price her ancestors paid for their place inside the Biodome, the only safe haven from the global nuclear war of 2024. But when Sunny’s mother is killed in the Cull, the hopeless reality of her future becomes painfully clear.

Bereft and disillusioned, she heads down a reckless path that sets off a deadly riot in the Pit and leaves her accused of treason. Her only way of escaping public execution is to make a truce with her prison mate, who happens to be the heir to the dictatorship and hated enemy of the Pit. Now caught between two worlds on the brink of war, Sunny must weigh her own survival against risking everything to save the Pit.

S.M. McEachern delivers the action and adventure of The Hunger Games, the intrigue of The City of Ember, and the romantic notes of Les Misérables in her debut novel set in a future that is disturbingly plausible.

G Rating: no foul language, no explicit sex, some mild violence.

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What Readers are Saying:

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“One of THE BEST dystopian books I’ve ever read!! If/when this becomes a movie … I will be the first in line!” – Midwest Book Review

“Romance, intrigue, and action all come together beautifully here to create an experience that will leave anyone asking for more.” – Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for best YA Dystopian

“… a romance straight out of a Shakespearean play, with the action of Katniss and Peeta.” – Amazon Reviewer

“I might even love this more than I loved Hunger Games (and that’s saying a lot!)” – Goodreads Reviewer

“I’ve seen it compared to The Hunger Games and I’d have to agree. I can already see the movie version becoming a hit!” – Amazon Reviewer

“I was a huge fan of the Hunger Games series and I actually loved Sunset Rising more! I am putting it on my top 10 list of most favorite books.” – Amazon/Goodreads Reviewer

“FABULOUS!!! I fricken loved this story! If you love Dystopian YA novels, READ THIS BOOK!” – Goodreads Reviewer

“This book truly blew my mind. It is pure GENIUS …  (it’s) as good, if not BETTER, than the Hunger Games.” – Amazon Reviewer

“If you like Veronica Roth, you’ll like this. I’m glad I tried a new author!” – Amazon Reviewer

“Let me start off by saying this novel stole hours of my sleep. I could not put it down.” – Goodreads Reviewer

Excerpt From Book 1, SUNSET RISING:

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I found the rope and gave it a good tug to make sure it was secure. “Here. Use this to rappel down. I’ll go first and guide you along as best I can.” I scrambled over the side and began my descent.

“Wait!” Jack’s face appeared above me, terrified. “Aren’t you going to use the rope too?”

“I don’t need it. I’ve been doing this since I was five. And besides, I don’t think that old rope is going to hold two of us.”

I climbed down about ten feet to give him room. I heard him double- checking the rope. “Come on.”

“I can’t even see!”

I rolled my eyes. At this rate we were going to get caught for sure.

Finally, he lowered himself over the side, tentatively feeling around with one foot. I descended another ten feet and looked up to see if he was following, but he hadn’t made any progress. “Jack, you’re taking too long. Trust the rope.”

“You mean this old rope, Sunny?” he snapped. I bit back a laugh.

I heard him take a deep breath and watched him lean out. He lowered one foot, then the other, and again. He continued to rappel in a slow and steady rhythm. I descended another ten feet, thinking I probably shouldn’t be this close. If he fell, he would take us both down.

We continued on, me staying ten feet below Jack and encouraging him to keep going. He was painfully slow, but I tried not to get frustrated. I remembered it was hard the first time I did it, too.

Finally, we arrived at the sixth level and I pulled myself onto the landing. “Almost there, Jack.”

When his feet dangled just above my head, I gave them a little tug to help him along.

“Stop!” Jack’s voice was edged with panic. “I’ll do it myself.”

I let go of him. I didn’t need him screaming and bringing the guards in here. He lowered himself far enough to reach over to the landing. I grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him in. He hugged the side of the wall, testing to make sure his feet were firmly on the ground.

“That was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Scariest? He had no idea. “Welcome to the Pit, Jack.”

About S.M. McEachern:

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S.M. McEachern (who also writes new adult as Susan
McEachern) comes from the rocky shores of Canada’s East Coast. She is a
graduate of Dalhousie University, with an honors degree in International
Development Studies with a focus on ocean development. Throughout her academic
studies and early career, Susan had the privilege to study and work with
Elizabeth Mann Borgese, daughter of nobel prize winner, Thomas Man). An author
in her own right and a political activist for world peace, Mrs. Mann Borgese
played a significant influence on Susan’s view of the political world stage.

Visit Susan’s website at smmceachern.com for free short stories and updates on
new releases.

Sign up for S.M.’s Newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win eBooks of the SUNSET RISING series, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

We’re celebrating the release of the second book in the Divine Destiny Chronicles, Relentless Rebels! Today, we learn the Top 10 things to know if you are new to the Divine Destiny trilogy. Next, author Sharon René discusses the major themes of Hesitant Heroes and Relentless Rebels. On the final day, we explore the ancient city of Petra as a setting in Relentless Rebels. Plus, there’s a two book giveaway to enter below. Enjoy!

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Relentless Rebels

 

(Divine Destiny Chronicles #2)

 

By Sharon René

Young Adult, Christian, Dystopian

Paperback & ebook, 315 Pages

March 8, 2022 by Anaiah Press

After rescuing their kidnapped friends and stopping the government from assassinating Councilor Sierra Stone, Jordan and Team Seven thought the fight was over, but the real battle is just beginning. Sierra must now try to regain her role in the Global Collective Council while also convincing them that River Wallis, co-chair of the Council, tried to kill her. But her success could very well lead to a civil war.

The Council will do everything in their power to stop Sierra, including killing her allies. Barely surviving an attack on their mountain hideaway, Jordan and Team Seven’s lives are on the line. Again. But Team Seven won’t give up that easily, and they set out to rally support for their cause. Unfortunately for Team Seven, they’re caught in the middle as the world takes sides.

Amidst attacks, lies, betrayals, and devastating losses, Jordan’s faith is shaken, and she struggles with her hatred for River Wallis. She knows that judgment belongs to God, but when she finally comes face to face with River, Jordan must rely on her faltering faith to choose wisely—give in to her need for vengeance, or give it up for God to decide.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon

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Top 10 Things to Know if You are New to the Divine Destiny Trilogy

1. The Global Collective Council controls the planet. They are powerful and practically worshiped by their followers.

2. Hunter Wallis and his sister River Wallis are the leaders of the Global Collective Council.

3. Sierra Stone is a member of the Global Council. She is trying to make the government fair for all of the world’s citizens.

4. The main character, Jordan Scott, is from Old Memphis. She attends a boarding school called Global Collective University (GCU) with teens from all over the planet.

5. Jordan and her housemates are called Team Seven. Each member of the team has a special skill or talent such as ballet, martial arts, healing, and weightlifting.

6. The government kidnaps Christian students to use them in a plot to assassinate Councilor Sierra Stone. Team Seven must rescue the students and stop the assassination.

7. Team Seven travels to Old Venezuela and collaborates with a rebel leader, Hector Alvarado, to rescue the missing students and stop the assassination.

8. After accomplishing their mission Team Seven becomes wanted fugitives.

9. Team Seven escapes to the mountains of Old Venezuela and hides at Hector Alvarado’s rebel camp.

10. River Wallis, vice-chair of the Global Collective Council, vows to locate Team Seven and kill them.

Other Books in the Series

Hesitant Heroes

 

(Divine Destiny #1)

 

By Sharon René

Young Adult, Christian, Dystopian

Paperback & ebook, 336 Pages

September 7, 2021 by Anaiah Press

In a future where the planet is ruled by the powerful Global Collective Council, and religion is outlawed, Jordan Scott is chosen to attend Global Collective University because of her phenomenal computer skills. Shy and insecure, she has difficulty fitting in with the intelligent, worldly teens at GCU. She joins a secret Bible study and meets Matthew Thomas, a good-looking jock with a big heart. Jordan’s relationship with Matthew grows deeper, and she even manages to bond with her cranky roommate while growing closer to her fellow teammates.

When Christian students mysteriously start disappearing from campus, Jordan stumbles upon the shocking truth—these students are pawns in a government plot, and she’s next on their list. Suddenly, she’s forced into a leadership position as she and her teammates journey from the European Alps to the jungles of Venezuela in a race to save the missing students and stop a political assassination. Fighting fears that have haunted her for years, Jordan battles with the strongest political force on the planet. She believes God placed her at GCU for “such a time as this.” Jordan will have to rely on her faith and friends to save the missing students and foil the evil government.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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About the Author

Sharon René loves to write young adult and children’s fiction. Her young adult dystopian trilogy has been acquired by Anaiah Press and the first book, Hesitant Heroes, released September 7, 2021. Hesitant Heroes is an exciting blend of danger, drama and a little romance.

The next book, Relentless Rebels, released March 8, 2022. It continues Team Seven’s exciting adventures. Defying Destiny, the prequel, is the last book in the trilogy.

Her first book, A Mixed Bag of God’s Grace, was published in 2018 by TouchPoint Press. This is a book of short stories and devotions for elementary aged children.

Sharon René grew up in Louisiana and now lives in Tennessee with one very spoiled cat.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub

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Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive signed copies of Hesitant Heroes and Relentless Rebels by Sharon René (US only)

Ends March 13, 2022

ENTER HERE

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.