Posts Tagged ‘fantasy’

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Ruby and the Beast
by Ditter Kellen
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
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After the sudden death of her father, Ruby Atwood is forced to drop out of

college to care for her younger brother. Deep in debt and on the

verge of desolation, Ruby resorts to some shady dealings on the

streets of New Orleans, in order to put food on the table for her

small family. Until one night in a dark alley, she discovers a

hideous beast she could never have imagined in her darkest

nightmares.

Cloaked in darkness, the Beast prowls the back alleys of New Orleans, lonely,

savage and bereft of hope, his demon clawing at him. With the man

responsible for his curse now dead, the Beast seeks out the only

other person who can satisfy the demon within—the man’s daughter,

Ruby Atwood.

Trapped, with nowhere to run, Ruby quickly realizes she must use her wits to

stay alive or face certain death at the hands of a monster. But the

more she tries to escape, the more she is drawn to the Beast. Desire

and fear clash, creating an unforgettable story of hope, trust and a

love found only in fairy tales…

**Releases April 4th, 2017!!**

Ditter Kellen has been in love with romance for over twenty years. To say

she’s addicted to reading is an understatement. Her eBook reader is

an extension of her and holds many of her fantasies and secrets. It’s

filled with dragons, shifters, vampires, ghosts and many more

jaw-dropping characters who keep her entertained on a daily basis.

Ditter’s love of paranormal and outrageous imagination have conspired together

to bring her where she is today…sitting in front of her computer

allowing them free rein. Writing is her passion, what she was born to

do. I hope you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she loves

spinning them.

Ditter resides in Florida with her husband and many unique farm animals. She

adores French fries and her phone is permanently attached to her ear.

Ditter Kellen is giving away a Kindle Fire at the end of each month until

the release date!

To enter at her Facebook page click 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 go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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Welcome to My Monday Minis Reviews where I share short reviews of books I’ve read. For today I’ll be sharing two books. One is an anthology, Scream, which releases tomorrow. And the other, Becoming Dragon is a new series from Eve Langlais.

Scream releases on February 14th. It’s a steal at only 99 pennies. Go HERE to claim your copy!

Scream

A Collection of Dark Tales

by Multiple Authors

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Genre: Dark Tales / Thriller / Serial Killers

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My Review

I’m drawn to stories about serial killers. I’ve been told by many it’s a morbid fascinate. LOL You’ll get nine short stories about them in this anthology, each author bringing their own dark spin to their tales.

I won’t play favorites and name any certain ones, but some of these hit hard and a couple were pretty good. One left me confused. I read it twice and felt like the end might have been left off or I just completely didn’t get it.

It was great to read some familiar authors and discover new ones. I found a few that I’ll be checking out now.

There’s lots of terrible monsters in these pages. They may look human, but there’s no humanity in the way they delight in their kills. You’ll also come across a bit of the paranormal or supernatural, which I find adds to the suspense and scares.

A great collection that’s sure to satisfy that dark craving inside you. I read them late at night and got even more thrills.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Biohazard by Kathy Love
Jenny knew when she took a job working for a crime cleaning company, she would experience some weird situations. But she never thought one of her co-workers, David, would fall in love with her, and man, does he have a strange way of showing it. Hearts drawn in blood spatter and notes out of body tissue? That takes weird to a whole new level. Add to that, with a serial killer on the loose, she finds herself spending a lot of time at work—and with David. Soon, she can’t help wondering if he could be the one killing these people. Just so they can spend more time together.

Undying Love by Kristine Mason
Till death do us part does not apply…

Morgan Smithwell’s first love is killed in a car accident, leaving her devastated and heartbroken. When she claims his ghost has visited her, Morgan’s parents and psychiatrist believe she’s had a psychotic break. But Morgan knows the truth. Death cannot come between her and the boy she loves. Now, to keep their love alive, Morgan must find her lover a new body. Again and again…

No Eulogy for a Stranger by Caleb Pirtle III
Easy Eddy Dollar is not quite sure where he is when he awakes on a park bench with a bullet wound in his stomach. And just who are all these people entering his life? With only twenty-four hours to find out, Easy Eddy Dollar knows he’s a stranger among strangers, and nobody has a prayer to recite at the grave of a stranger.

The Woman of My Dreams by Joe Broadmeadow
The cut of a truth long hidden is quick, deep, and painful. Yet, life has a way of never missing a beat, even when breaking your heart. Is there such a thing as loving too much?

The Hunter by Drew Jordan
Not every woman is fortunate enough to be married to a serial killer like I am. Why is that lucky? Because he will protect me from everyone and anyone…and never ever hurt me.

Follow The Hunter from Alaska to Canada to reclaim his wife, Laney. Or to make her his final victim. The Hunter is a short story related to the dark and sexy CRASH trilogy, which includes Crash, Hide, and Expose.

The House That Weeps by Elle J Rossi
Andrew Stevens has one shot left to do something good with his life. But will the horrors inside the house that weeps be his savior or his ultimate demise?

The Silent Widow by Kimberly McGath
Eight-track tapes and bell-bottoms were all the rage in the late 1970’s. Citizens had become familiar with serial killers such as Zodiac, but nothing prepared them for this sweetheart killer. Valentine’s Day will be red with blood in this rural town. Author Kimberly McGath will keep you guessing in The Silent Widow, with many twists and turns that will make you Scream. But will you be able to?

Chimes at Midnight by Paul Dale Anderson
Never play blind man’s bluff with a blind man. Never play games with an old man entering his second childhood. And never ever play for keeps or bet your life because the odds are not in your favor.

A Sultry Abyss by Sue Coletta
Crime Writer Sydney Slaughter has spent her life researching serial killers. What she never expected was to find herself at the center of a brutal murder spree. When visions hit too close to reality, Syd goes to a hypnotist to tap into her subconscious. What she envisions shakes her very core. Can she use her skills to expose the killer? Or will fate turn the table, reveal things she never wanted to know?

AMAZON

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Becoming Dragon

Dragon Point #1

by Eve Langlais

Narrated by Chandra Skye

Published by Tantor Audio.

Published January 25, 2017

Format: Unabridged Audiobook

Length: 7 hours and 22 minutes

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Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy / Romance / Shifters

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My Review

Not having read Eve’s books before, but meaning to, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s a brand new spin off series from her Bitten Point books. I was thrilled with this book. I was quickly immersed in the story and never felt the need for a break.

Aimi is strong, knows what she wants and goes for it, that being Brandon. I have a feeling he doesn’t stand a chance. It was fun to meet Aimi. She’s my kind of gal. And the antics of her odd family gave me plenty of chuckles.

Brandon grew on my quickly. He’s got a lot to handle, trying to adjust to his new self. He escaped from a facility that experimented on him and he’ll forever be changed by it. He doesn’t know what to make of the sexy and determined Aimi, who states he’s hers.

The chemistry between these two characters was electric. I was anxious to see who would give in to who and had such fun with their back and forth banter.

There’s plenty of snarky dialogue, which is always a win with me. Lots of intrigue, people needing rescuing, and some steamy encounters to warm you up on a cold night.

I’ve been wanting to try Eve’s Bitten Point series, and after having such fun with this book,  now I have to.

5 Stars

About the narrator.

Chandra Skye does a fabulous job. She even manages to pull off the male characters convincingly. I’ll be keeping an eye out for her.

I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Audible Books. My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

A new series spun off the end of Bitten Point…

Brandon’s story…

Dragon Point isn’t a place, but rather a society, a secret one. And humans aren’t invited.

I’m a monster. That’s what Brandon thinks when he flees the medical institute that changed him. Living a normal life isn’t in the cards for him because, while he can hide his scaly skin, his wings are hard to miss. So he runs and lives in the shadows where monsters belong. What he didn’t expect to find were others just like him, and they call themselves dragons. Or so Aimi with the violet eyes tells him when she pins him to the ground.

Seriously, though, dragons?

He doesn’t want to believe, but the evidence is mounting. Not helping his resolve is the fact that the woman with the silver hair doesn’t fear the monster and wants to claim him.
However, before he can think of his own happiness, he has to rescue his little sister. Uncle Theo kidnapped her, and Brandon will do anything to get her back, even if he must embrace the monster within to become the dragon.

AMAZON

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

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

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Welcome back to my Saturday Screams.

Got a good one to share with you today, so let’s get to it!

Vincent, Survivor

Vincent Series #1

by O.L. Eggert

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Genre: Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

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My Review

This is a gritty read to sink your teeth into.

The story goes….Vincent Li isn’t the nicest guy. He’s had to do some bad things to survive in Oakwood. Not the best of neighborhoods. He’s thrilled when his brother Dante shows up. Been doing a stint in prison.

They’re on their way to go see Grandma and not looking forward to it. Bette is affectionately known as Grandma to many in the neighborhood and helped the brothers survive the streets when they were left on their own. She may look frail, but her tongue lashings are sharp as a whip.

Shortly after arriving and taking the heat from Grandma, they discover she actually has a real granddaughter, Elise. There’s no time to get into the fact that Grandma always said she didn’t have family because things go sideways.

Minotaurs appear on the streets. And other strange beings start emerging everywhere. Gates have been opened and creatures from another world are pouring through them, hell bent on taking over the planet for their own.

This is one of those books where the pace and action starts fast and never slows down until the finish. It’s filled with strange creatures and some genuine characters.

I’d have to say Vincent, Dante, and Grandma are my favorites. Vincent and Dante have a tight bond, not just because they’re brothers, but also because they’ve had to go through and do some bad things to survive. They’re rough around the edges, but fierce when things turn to crap.

And Grandma is a tough cookie. She may be in her sixties, but she’s full of spit and vinegar. Her tough love helped to keep Dante and Vincent from being statistics on a police blotter.

One other to add to the list is Flea. A pint sized enigma. He’s from another world and seems a bit clueless at times, but he comes in handy when things get ugly.

There are plenty of other characters, some minor and some major, that flesh out and add to the plot. Too many for me to mention here. And more than one storyline, which I’m hoping I’ll learn more about in upcoming books. This is the first book in the series, and I’m sure we’ll meet many of the characters again in the other books. At least those that survive this one.

With ghouls and killer sentient Minotaurs, along with some other mythical beings rampaging through this story, I’d tag this as an urban fantasy with a pinch of science fiction added in. Lots of action and danger and some well developed characters keep the plot moving fast and the suspense building. And, while this is a series, and the story doesn’t end here, there’s not a huge cliffhanger. You get answers along the way, and an opening for more.

4 Stars

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Some favorite quotes:

“Have you ever known life to be fair? I’d say it’s a downright bitch.”

**

“Nothing binds us together tighter, nothing makes us fight harder, than a healthy dose of hope.”

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Synopsis

Vincent Li always assumed he’d die in Oakwood. If the local gangs didn’t get him, then cigarettes and alcohol eventually would.

Now, he’s pretty sure minotaurs will kill him instead, and if not them, the ghouls dragging people into the dark will.

In the wake of an unexplained spike in homicides, a masked figure opens portals to another world—a world filled with dangerous magic and mythological monsters. Creatures that shouldn’t exist suddenly do, and they don’t mix well with humans. Vincent is trapped in Oakwood as the city is torn apart, but he’s no stranger to violence and will do whatever it takes to survive.

Amazon

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Author O.L. Eggert

O. L. Eggert

O.L. (Oliver Leland) Eggert has always been a reader of fantasy and sci-fi. His love of the genre spread to everything else in his life, so he ultimately became a big game/book/movie geek. He also enjoys the occasional anime.

He currently resides in the Silicon Valley with his soon-to-be wife and two dogs: Arya and Dexter. Can you guess which characters the dogs are named after?

To learn more about his current writing projects, follow him at:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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

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Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from:

 Guarded

The Silverton Chronicles #1

by Carmen Fox

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Genre: Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

From page 56 in the paperback.

He grinned. “Am I the best friend, or what?”

I chuckled. “You are. Remind me to get you a mug that confirms that.”

“Another one? Yeah, alright.”

I’m going to be reviewing Guarded and the second book, Bound, next week. I hope you stop back by. This series is such fun.

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Read on if you want to know more.

Synopsis

When everyone’s existence depends on the lies they tell, trust doesn’t come easy.

Ivy’s neighbors have a secret. They aren’t human. But Ivy has a secret, too. She knows. As long as everyone keeps quiet, she’s happy working as a P.I. by day and chillaxing with her BFF Florian, a vampire, by night. When a routine pickup drops her in the middle of a murder, her two worlds collide. While Florian knows how to throw a punch, deep down he’s a softie. His idea of scary? Running out of hair product. It’s time Ivy faced facts. Even with a vampire on stand-by, one gal can only kick so many asses.

For help, she must put her faith in others. A human, who might just be the one. A demon, who will, for a price, open the doors to her heritage. And a werewolf, who wants to protect her from herself.

Torn between these men, Ivy must tread carefully, because one wants her heart, one wants her body, and one wants her dead.

AMAZON

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Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

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

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Welcome to my Saturday Screams.

Got some good ones to share today. A little bit of horror and some fun fantasy.

Let’s get to it!

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Killer Young Adult Fiction

Shocking Tales Of Horror And The Post-Apocalypse

by Jackson Dean Chase

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Genre: YA Horror / Post-Apocalypse

My Review

I’m quite fond of collections and love horror and I’m so glad I read these.

Mr. Chase gives you thrills and chills with short stories, poems and books.  That saying, “You’ve been warned,” definitely applies here as the author pulls no punches in his descriptions.

From the supernatural to the paranormal to otherworldly, entities of terror roam these pages. The horror and suspense will have you looking over your shoulder at that noise behind you and glancing fearfully at that phantom something you glimpse out of the corner of your eye.

Be sure you have a torch handy in case the lights go out.

I’d recommend reading this at night so you get the full affects!

4 Stars

Synopsis

Killer Young Adult Fiction is the perfect midnight read. Demons, Ghosts, Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies and more are waiting inside…

This deluxe collector’s edition contains the complete 6-book Young Adult Horror series, plus two bonus books: “Hard Times in Dronetown,” and the all-new post-apocalypse shocker, “Alien Rain.”

That’s over 400 scary pages by YA’s best and brightest new talent!

Amazon

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Creepy Christmas

by Toby Bennett

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Genre: Horror and Macabre Collection

My Review

You get five tales of horror and strange in this collection. And a bonus story about a sunbathing vampire.

These brief nibbles dabble in some dark horror. No characters are safe and there’s more than one kind of monster to fear.

I don’t like to play favorites so I won’t name any, but I sure would like a couple of these to be enlarged upon.

I got a sense of the author’s humor in these pages too, especially with the sunbathing vampire.

If you like quickies, these would be some fun stocking stuffers.

3 Stars

Synopsis

A ghoulish collection of zany and macabre tales that you can use to while away the long hours until it’s time to take the tree down again.

Thrill to “The Chimney Trap” – A boy sets out to catch Santa but what is really in that cage on the roof?

Howl at the sound of “Santa’s Paws” an interlude with werewolves based entirely on a weak pun.

Stuff yourself with the macabre contents of “Someone always feeds the children” – blind cannibals and a squirming Christmas dinner.

Feel the mounting fear of the man who truly discovered Santa in his monolithic tomb, “That is not dead that makes us eternal buy”!

Or just get away from it all in the sun with the “Recreational Vampire”

Something for everyone – as long as everyone likes five types of stories in: Toby Bennett’s Creepy Christmas.

Amazon

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Creepy Christmas

by Jaimie Admans

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Genre: YA Children’s / YA Fantasy

My Review

All Kaity wants for Christmas is her parents to get back togehter. But there’s a problem, or several.

Mom’s new boyfriend for one. He gives Kaity the creeps.

And what’s with the snowmen. They mysteriously showed up one night. There’s something not right about them. And was Kaity mistaken, or was the one in her garden now closer to their house?

Anti-Claus is in town and trange scary things start to happen.it’s up to Kaity to get to the bottom of things and save Christmas.

Don’t let the ambiguous cover fool you. This is a delightful and a bit creepy Christmas tale of hope, friendship, and family. There are some heart-warming characters along with some creepy ones.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much depth there actually was to this story.

Grab a cuppa something hot, snuggle in, and enjoy this charming tale.

 4  Stars

Synopsis

Strange things are occurring in the neighbourhood. A mysterious snowfall, one Santa too many, and eyes of coal that watch you wherever you go.

Ten-year-old Kaity is busy trying to get rid of her mum’s creepy new boyfriend and reunite her divorced parents, but her curiosity gets the better of her when she meets the new mall Santa and his enchanting daughter Blizzard. Can Kaity help them save Christmas from being destroyed by Anti-Claus – a pretend Santa who is a permanent member of the naughty list?

It’s Christmas in the village of Chelferry, but this year the snowmen can move, the fairy won’t stay on top of the Christmas tree, and if you listen closely to the musical Christmas cards, you can hear the faint sound of screaming over the Jingle Bells…

Creepy Christmas is a 50,000 word (approx 200 pages) novel suitable for ages 8 and upwards.

This is free right now. Click on the link below to grab a copy.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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

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Happy Book Birthday to

Poisonous Whispers!

 
Poisonous Whispers
A Fantasy Romance Novel
By Jana Begovich
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: December 5, 2016
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Keywords: Fantasy, Romance, Saga, Reincarnation, Destiny, Betrayal, Past lives, Passion
 
“Don’t you ever forget about me…,” he whispers during their secret encounters. Like a curse, these simple words now haunt Leandra, a reputable psychiatrist, who finds herself in emotional chaos after the sudden breakup of her illicit affair. Unable to heal on her own and tormented by dreams in which supernatural forces create havoc with her fate, she desperately turns to David, a colleague psychiatrist, asking him to take her through past-life regression therapy. She hopes that this unorthodox and somewhat suspect technique will explain her profound connection to the lover who has abandoned her so abruptly.
The sessions take Leandra through 17th and 19th century Ireland, Italy and England, where love, loss and betrayal are the leitmotifs in an ambiance of co-mingled fantasy and reality. In her hypnotic state, Leandra recounts a saga of intoxicating love, dizzying passion, flaming lust and profound heartbreak. Despite the painful answers she finds under hypnosis, Leandra still cannot let go of the hope to reunite with her lover. Ultimately, the shattering revelations from her past-life incarnations, along with the turmoil over her ruined marriage, become the stepping stones of her introspective path to healing, self-discovery and an appreciation of true love.

With its seamlessly interwoven sub-plots, “Poisonous Whispers” lures the reader from one continent to another, from past to present. The affair at the center of the story is an anatomy of the heart in which the heroine’s sorrow-laced journey reflects the universal themes of love and loss.
 

PURCHASE LINKS

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EXCERPT:
 
A tiny streak of pale light is cascading softly down the cell window and making a shy sliver in the veil of darkness. I open my eyes, disoriented. I do not move; I do not even dare blink until I get my bearings. Then I remember and freeze in horror. I sit up, an aching all over my body and cold dread in my heart. Instinctively, I try to disentangle my matted hair with my fingers, but it is hopeless. All around me, I smell mold, decay and death. How can I survive another day in this hole? The sound of the door opening with a screech makes me jump in terror.
 
The gaoler walks in; a heavy set of keys dangling and jingling in his hand.
 
“Come. You are being moved in preparation for tonight’s execution. A verdict was reached.”
 
I speak not but follow him. We climb a steep staircase. Below us, I hear moans and yells and what sounds like the death throes of those hopelessly lost to the world and forgotten by justice, compassion and mercy. Again, I am feeling dissociated from the event of my calamity; I see my body walking, but my soul is not in it and indifference over what might happen floods me. Death is not the end. Death offers me salvation from pain, from the torment of living a human life.
 
We leave the jailhouse and enter the house across the street to the village inn. The inn owner, James Bourke, looks at me with hatred and disdain. He also always hated my husband because his wife had hoped my husband would marry her. She was in love with him, and when he married me she tried to kill herself. James married her later, but has always known that she never stopped loving my husband.
 
The gaoler takes me upstairs to one of the guest rooms and locks the door behind me. The room is wide and clean even though sparsely furnished. The bed is large and looks inviting and I realize how exhausted I am. On the bed is a white, thin chemise and I immediately understand this is what I will wear tonight when I am pushed off the bridge into the water that is cool even on the hottest of summer days. Will I have the strength or the will to swim and save myself? What surprises and almost delights me under such grave circumstances is a bathtub in the corner of the room. There is steam rising from it and I immediately undress and slip into it, relieved to be able to wash off the dirt, the grime, and above all the horrible stench on my body. I rub myself raw trying to clean my skin. Washing my hair is more difficult because at home I have servants who help me with bathing, dressing and undressing. I have been spoilt by marrying a man of wealth and power. Where is my husband now? I crave his protection. If he saved me now, would I give up Kieran, would I give up love in order to live? I surmise I would.
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
 

 

As far back as she can remember, Jana has been fascinated by storytelling and intoxicated with the written word. As a young child, she began spinning stories, talking to an imaginary friend and devouring fairy tales. As a teenager, she wrote maudlin love poetry; and as a young mother, a collection of fables. Her love of reading and writing drove her to study languages and literature, resulting in B.A. degrees in English and German Languages and Literature, an M.A. Degree in Literary Studies, as well as a B.Ed. Degree in English and Dramatic Arts. She works for the Government of Canada in the field of military language training and testing and her work, as a subject matter expert, has taken her all over the world. She was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina but has lived in Canada since 1991.

“Poisonous Whispers” is her debut novel. Currently, she is working on her second novel, as well as a collection of short stories.
She lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband.s so much in advance.
Jana

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GIVEAWAY!

A $10 Roane Publishing Gift Card!
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use a RoanePublishing.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing’s marketing department.

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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 click on the lucky Flamingos below!

Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from:

 Grudging

Birth Of Saints #1

by Michelle Hauck

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Genre: Fantasy

From Page 56 in the paperback.

He’s picked Sancha out as a colt when he’d first begun his apprenticeship with the peleton. Or perhaps Sancha had picked him. Whichever the case, only death would part them now.

~~~~~

Read on if you want to know more.

Synopsis

A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.

The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.

On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.

The Women of the Song.

But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.

A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.

AMAZON

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Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

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

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ghost-of-christmas-past-banner

The holidays are upon us and what could be better than a holiday story!

Michael has the perfect one to take you away for a little while.

I had such a great time reading The Ghost Of Christmas Past and I think you’ll be surprised when you read it.

There’s a lot to share today so I’ll get to it.

Michael has a special sale.

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

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

A Novella

by Michael Hebler

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My Review

The title probably has you thinking this a retelling. Wait, though. It may start that way, but very quickly the author steers you in another direction. The focus shifts from the person being visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past to the ghost itself.

In order to save lost souls, the ghost needs its light to guide them. When the light is lost, the ghost must now go on a journey of its own. Go into the past and discover who it once was and regain its light to save Christmas.

In many places written in prose similar to Charles Dickens, it reads like a classic. As the characters are introduced, past and present, their lives deepen the story, and it tempted to skip ahead to see their stories conclusions. I resisted though.

For me to enjoy a story, I require strong, genuine characters who’s welfare means something to me. They need to have flaws, and I don’t have to like all of them or approve of what they do. But, they need to be believable and the author needs to keep them true to their personalities.

Michael’s characters could walk off the pages. I tried to picture them in my head from his descriptions and they came to life. Once that happened, I couldn’t put the book down.

I’ve read Michael’s Chupacabra thrillers and very much enjoyed them so I was curious about reading a story in a different genre.

Strong writing and atmospheric detail made this a fulfilling read and I enjoyed the direction the author chose with his tale.

The Ghost Of Christmas Past gets my highest recommendation for all readers.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Based on Charles Dickens’ character of the same name, the first of three spirits from A Christmas Carol is the center of its own story when taken on a spiritual journey to find meaning for its existence.

The Ghost of Christmas Past has had its fire extinguished.  Lost souls cannot find their way to righteousness without the Spirit’s luminescence to guide them through their shadowed memories.  To rekindle its flame, the Ghost of Christmas Past must journey back to a life long forgotten.  Guided by the Christmas Angel, the Spirit braves witness to how it lived as a boy in life, and learns what will become of Christmas should it fail.

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EXTRA!  EXTRA!

Michael running a KDP promotion from Wednesday until the end of Cyber Monday. The e-book for The Ghost of Christmas Past will be $1.99 (from $4.99) the entire promotion.

Grab your copy HERE.

‘The Ghost of Christmas Past’ placed as a Finalist in the 2016 Beverly Hills Book Awards.

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Intended Audience

The Ghost of Christmas Past is unique.  The novella has appeal to readers of all ages, nationalities, and gender. Thanks to Mr. Charles Dickens, the main character name, Ghost of Christmas Past, is already as recognizable as Mickey Mouse, and the general population has shown remarkable interest in learning the backstories of supporting characters from popular works of fiction.  The most notable example would be the novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, the backstory of the witches from Oz. The Ghost of Christmas Past will appeal to fans of drama, mystery, fantasy, Literary Fiction, the supernatural, and Christianity.

Like A Christmas Carol, The Ghost of Christmas Past is not heavily religious but a story based around a Christian holiday.  In 2014, more than 52 million religious books sold in the U.S., representing an increase of over 10.5% from the previous year. (Nielsen.com: Focusing On Our Strengths: Insights into the Christian Book Market)

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Author Michael Hebler

Michael Hebler

Prior to becoming an award-winning author of his dark fiction Chupacabra Series, Michael was a full-time international film publicist who had worked on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, and the 2013 Academy Award-winning Best Foreign Language Film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty).

Born in the early 1970’s in Los Angeles County to a salesman and homemaker, Michael dreamed of following his passions for entertainment and storytelling by acting. It was while studying theatre arts at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, did he realize his penchant for stories were better suited on the page rather than the stage. But creating tales with suspense, laughter, and heart is not Michael’s only love. Hebler also enjoys volunteering in his local community, as well as aid in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.

To date, Michael’s publications include NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA, CURSE OF THE CHUPACABRA, and LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA (Books I, II, & III of the six-part Chupacabra Series) as well as his first publication, THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS, a holiday picture book for believers of any age. Michael’s fourth book in the Chupacabra Series, DAWN OF THE CHUPACABRA will be available in print and for ebook on October 13, 2015.
Michael currently resides in Southwest Florida.
Author Links:
Email:

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boy-meets-witch

Boy Meets Witch

G.A. Rael

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Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

Hosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours

Blurb:

Harper Adams is a witch on the run–from her past as a faith healer turned accidental arsonist, and from the power she’s kept locked away her whole life. She thinks she’s finally found a place she can settle down and call home in the picturesque town of Cold Creek, Vermont, but a mysterious white cat who may or may not be bent on taking the curvaceous witch’s soul has other plans. Harper’s compassion gets the best of her and earns her an unwanted reputation as the town miracle worker as well as the ire of sexy veterinarian and militant atheist, Darren St. Clair.

Cold Creek’s residents have a few supernatural secrets of their own, and Harper will have to face the destiny that led her to the last place a witch in hiding needs to be–that is, if Darren doesn’t have her chased out of town with a pitchfork-wielding mob before she gets the chance.

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↓Buy Links↓

 

Pre-order https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M2URFOK

 

Author Bio:

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Hi there!

I’m a practicing witch and author of paranormal romance, fantasy and magical realism. I’m also a firm believer that the things that go bump in the night deserve their happily ever afters, too!

When I’m not writing, you can find me watching campy horror films with my husband and our menagerie and hiking in the woods in beautiful New England!

Want updates when I publish a book? Join The Coven (PNR & Fantasy Newsletter.)

http://eepurl.com/ckWYMv

Visit her at:

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Boy Meets Witch

The White Cat Chronicles

Book 1

G.A. Rael

Boy Meets Witch (The White Cat Chronicles Book 1) by [Rael, G.A.]

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Date of Publication: 11/17/16

ASIN: B01M2URFOK

Number of pages: 186 / Word Count: 70,000

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Synopsis

“Are you an angel?” Harper asked, pleading internally for the answer to be no.

The tall, white-haired man gave a low chuckle. “Not quite. What I am isn’t nearly as important as who you are–and what I can do for you.”

Harper Adams is a witch on the run–from her past as a faith healer turned accidental arsonist, and from the power she’s kept locked away her whole life. She thinks she’s finally found a place she can settle down and call home in the picturesque town of Cold Creek, Vermont, but a mysterious white cat who may or may not be bent on taking the curvaceous witch’s soul has other plans.

Harper’s compassion soon gets the best of her and earns her an unwanted reputation as the town miracle worker as well as the ire of sexy veterinarian and militant atheist, Darren St. Clair. Cold Creek’s residents have a few supernatural secrets of their own, and Harper will have to face the destiny that led her to the last place a witch in hiding needs to be–that is, if Darren doesn’t have her chased out of town with a pitchfork-wielding mob before she gets the chance.

 

Grab Your Free Copy Nov 17-21 on Amazon

 

Enjoy the Excerpt

Without a word, the strange man stepped closer. His silken hair was too perfectly white to be a natural color, yet there wasn’t a trace of darkness at his roots. On closer inspection, Harper was horrified to realize that his eyes weren’t just the color of a cat’s but the shape, too. She tried to tell herself they were just theatrical contacts, but they shrunk so realistically as he stepped underneath the light that she began to doubt the only reasonable explanation.

“S-stay back,” she stammered, finding her voice once he was too close to dismiss as an illusion.

To her amazement, he halted in his steady approach.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said in a surprisingly gentle voice for someone so imposing. The contrast was so unsettling it made her shiver. His statuesque body and almost feminine facial features reminded her too much of the awful weeping angel statues in her church’s graveyard. Harper had always feared them as a child and now it seemed that one had come to life. The intruder was even beautiful in the same ethereal, almost grotesque way the statues were. “After all,” he continued in that melodic voice, “you did save my life.”

Harper stared at him in bewilderment. The words of a madman rarely made sense, she supposed. “I don’t even know you.”

“Maybe not, but I know you, Harper–or should I say, Alyssa? I’ve been watching over you for some time.”

She tried to swallow but the coffee had left her mouth dry. “How do you know that name?”

His stone lips curved into a slight smile. “I know everything about you. For instance, I know your father’s name is Byron Hurlow and he’s the preacher at the Rockport Trinity Tabernacle in Little Rock, Arkansas. I know you’ve been running for a little over two years now, and I know that you fear angels more than anything except maybe hurting the ones you love.” His cat eyes narrowed and his voice lowered to a knowing tone as he said, “I also know about the fire.”

Harper took a step back only to trip into a stack of boxes behind her. Before she could save herself, the man caught her and rested his hands on her shoulders, keeping a slight distance between them. She marveled at the bizarre display of propriety in the midst of such threatening behavior, but she didn’t complain. His skin was surprisingly warm.

“Be careful,” he murmured. “You always were a klutz.”

He said it so casually, as if they were old friends. “Who are you?” she asked shakily. “How could you possibly know about the –“

“The fire?” he offered. “Like I said, I’ve been watching you for a very long time.”

“Are you an angel?” Harper asked, pleading internally for the answer to be no.

The tall, white-haired man gave a low chuckle. “Not quite. What I am isn’t nearly as important as who you are–and what I can do for you.”

“You could start by putting on some clothes.”

About Author G.A. Rael

 

G.A. Rael is a practicing witch and author of paranormal romance and mysteries. She’s had a lifelong love affair with all things that go bump in the night, and it’s her firm belief that monsters deserve their happily-ever-afters, too. When she isn’t writing, you can find G.A. watching campy horror films with her husband and two cats in beautiful seaside New England.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

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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

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