One Thousand & One Lies by Yumoyori Wilson
(Reapers of Beauty #1)
Publication date: September 8th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
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Synopsis:
Lies.
Words of deception that assist in manipulating a person, group, lover, or foe. With each lie that leaves our lips, a plot morphs into a quick exchange, and the end result? Death.
Some call us Reapers of Beauty. Others think we assist the Angel of Death. Assassins? Murders? The list of what we term ourselves are endless. To us, this life is nothing but a job. One we have no control over what we do or whom we kill. That was how I’d lived my life for 25 years, and I presumed it would always be that way…until last night.
It was an easy assignment. A task I was confident in executing. Yet his stunning eyes pulled me in. His addictive aroma made me sigh in bliss. Those silky strands of hair felt so nice to touch, and those lips held a level of satisfaction that made my body hum for more.
A forbidden attraction that has led me astray. Or should I change that to attractions?
A thousand lies. That is all it takes to become a Reaper, like me. For the sake of protecting this mysterious group of men from my master who wants them dead, it’s time for me to play the game and turn the tables for the sake of freedom.
Will I survive? Maybe not, but I guess I’ll die trying.
Let the game begin…One Thousand and One.
AUTHOR NOTE: Please Be Advised:
1001 LIES- Reapers of Beauty is an 18+ Series that contains dark themes which include sexual assault, child abuse, and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors.
Yumoyori Wilson is from Toronto, Ontario. She’s a Full-time author who loves to write many different genres. On her down time, she bothers her Mom and likes to drink bubbletea while reading and playing video games.
I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.
Today I’m sharing a brand new release!
The Day That A Ran Away
by B.C.R. Fegan
Illustrated by Lenny Wen
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
My Review
I’m sure tons of teachers have heard the excuse, “the dog at my homework.” But Jet insists he did his, but the letters ran away, leaving a blank page.
The zany, colorful illustrations wouldn’t let me go. I kept leaning in to see what was hidden on each page. Don’t rush from page to page. Take time to look at everything. There were some hidden messages and fun learning tools used in the pictures. And the story was a crazy adventure. The letters were actual characters and ran willy nilly everywhere. Jet was in hot pursuit. The more he pursued them, the faster they ran away.
I’m going to gush a bit now. This imaginatively written and delightfully illustrated book was a blast to read. It made my heart happy and kept a grin on my face. I felt all bubbly after reading it and enthusiastically recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy from TaleBlade Press. Thanks so much and thank you to Author B.C.R. Fegan for this delightful book. My review is voluntarily given.
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Synopsis
While Mrs May is checking her students’ homework, she notices that Jet hasn’t managed to write down the letters of the alphabet. Instead of providing a familiar excuse, Jet offers Mrs May an elaborate story about how every letter happened to leave his page while he was walking to school that morning.
The Day That A Ran Away clearly and cleverly moves through the alphabet from A to Z. Each page has a number of items to find and the simple rhyme on each page will help readers remember the letter sequence. The story also touches gently on the concept of homework and the importance of making an effort.
Did you know… each page has hidden items to find?
Did you know… each letter has its own secrets?
Look closely at the pictures and letters… so many secrets to learn.
The Day That A Ran Away will be available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and ePub through all major online retailers
I think you can tell a good children’s book by the desire of a child to hear it read to them again… and again! Or perhaps to see a child sitting by themselves engrossed in the story – turning each page and even reading aloud what they remember of the text. A good children’s book often goes beyond the narrative of the story itself and provides instead a platform from which the child’s own imagination takes flight.
It is from this place that the stories you find here have been crafted. Written not, by the adult carefully layering imaginative themes upon any number of agenda’s, but instead written by the child within. These are tales where anything can happen and where adventures lurk around every corner. Each story begins with the desire to delight young children; to tantalise their imaginations; and to kindle their curiosity.
Through each story’s natural progression, there are certainly lessons that parents can easily highlight to their children. However the main focus of each and every one of these books is for the reader and child alike to simply sit back, get drawn into the adventure, and enjoy a good tale.
Learn more about this new Young Adult Historical Fantasy, read an excerpt, and enter the giveaway below…
Game of Secrets By Kim Foster
YA Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 368 Pages
July 3rd 2018 by Sky Pony Press
Felicity Cole sells flowers in the streets of Victorian London to feed herself and her young brother. But she has a close-guarded secret—her brother is a Tainted, born with special abilities that society fears and a shadowy organization called the Hunstsmen scours the country to eliminate. When Felicity becomes the target of one of these individuals, she discovers something horrible: she’s Tainted, too.
Rescued by a mysterious gentleman on the eve of execution, she’s whisked away to a school funded by Queen Victoria, established to train selected Tainted into assassins in service of the crown.
Struggling to harness her incredible strength, speed, and agility, and despised by her classmates, all she wants is to use her new position to find a cure so she can be normal and reunited with her brother.
But with the Golden Jubilee fast approaching and the discovery that there’s a traitor in their midst, she has no choice but to embrace the one thing she’s been fighting all along.
Movement around me slows. The mist from the horses’ nostrils hangs suspended in the air. Carriage wheels on cobbles and the bells from St. Paul’s Cathedral sound stifled—dampened and low.
I see everything at once. Time bends, curving around me.
Locals and customers cower in the market, screams frozen on their faces. They crouch behind carts. A surge goes to my muscles and somehow I know—I just know—I can do impossible things. I am not thinking. I am pure rage. A deep burning takes hold of my bones.
I reach Kit’s murderer in a heartbeat. Impossibly fast. Before he can fire his pistol again, I punch forward, catching him square in the throat. His eyes pop wide. I chop the hand that holds the gun and it skitters away on the ground. He staggers. I punch him again, smashing his nose, and blood spurts everywhere. I kick at his knees, sending him to the ground. I don’t know what I’m doing, or how I’m doing it, only that it’s coming from somewhere deep inside.
Everything around me is slow, like it’s moving through water. Sliding like molasses. But I am a spark. Fire. Lightning.
I hear the report of a gun—a dull, low rumble, not the sharp crack it should be—and I have time to spin. The bullet tears from the footman’s weapon in a plume of smoke. But I don’t feel the sharp agony of the shot. Instead, I see the bullet as it comes toward me. It moves through the air trailing a spiraling smoke wisp behind it like a comet. I slide out of the way, ducking easily underneath it.
With a slow, deep thud it slams harmlessly into a vegetable cart behind me, smashing into the cabbages and sending a fountain of dusty hay into the air.
And now the footman is mine.
About the Author
Kim Foster is the author of the Agency of Burglary & Theft series for adults and GAME OF SECRETS, her YA debut. She has a typical background for someone who writes thrillers about thieves and spies and criminals: she has a degree in medicine and is a practicing family doctor. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t make much sense to her friends and family, either.)
She’s addicted to yoga, loves to travel, and has a clinical weakness for dark chocolate with sea salt. Online, you can find her at www.kimfoster.com. She lives with her husband and their two young sons in Victoria, British Columbia.
I am so excited that QUINSEY WOLFE’S GLASS VAULT by Candace Robinson is available now and that I get to share the news!
If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Candace Robinson, be sure to check out all the details below.
This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Candace Robinson and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
People in the town of Deer Park, Texas are vanishing. There is a strange museum, known as Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault, that appears overnight. Perrie Madeline’s best friend and ex-boyfriend are among the missing. Perrie and her friend August go on a pursuit for them in the mysterious museum. Could the elusive Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault have anything to do with the disappearances?
Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault is the start of a thrilling duology full of magic, danger, and romance.
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Excerpt
Maisie takes Oak Street, which I have always found ironic. The street is lined on both sides with tall trees, each one reaching toward the other as if longing for their touch. For a town called Deer Park, I have seen more trees on a street corner than actual deer. Not. One. Single. Deer.
Suddenly, Maisie slams on the brakes and my chest strikes hard against the seat belt. Then I smash back into the seat just as hard. The only thing I can think is, are my organs still intact? Seriously, they feel like they’re bleeding profusely.
“What the hell?” August and I say at the exact same time. Maisie is staring across the street to the left.
“Look!” she exclaims.
Now I see what Maisie is pointing at. Across from us stands an enormous stone building, unbelievably tall, and its walls are lined with huge rocks all along the base. Among the rocks, it appears there are absolutely no windows of any kind. The entrance has an archway that frames one of the tallest wooden doors I have ever seen. It’s creepily unusual.
“Impossible,” I breathe.
“This has never been here before.” August appears flabbergasted.
He’s right. He’s beyond right. There’s no way this place was just magically built overnight. Even if it were possible, it’s obviously old. It has to be over a hundred years old.
“Maybe we never really noticed it before.” Maisie unbuckles herself and opens the car door, completely taken by the sight of this building.
I throw my hands up hysterically and wave my hands around like a lunatic. “Never noticed it before? This giant stone mansion?”
“Perrie has a point, Maisie.” August stares up at the building in shock.
Hesitantly, I step out of the car and August follows. We walk around to stand beside Maisie,
completely speechless as we continue our staring marathon at the place. It’s really an unusual structure to be sitting in the middle of our town. One would think something like this would have drawn major attention from the locals.
“We should investigate!” Maisie is moving before either of us can protest.
“Just a quick look,” I say, falling into step beside her, fingers itching with curiosity.
We walk to the door at a leisurely pace, as if we have all night to see what’s going on. As we inch closer to the arched doorway, where overgrown grass meets a block of cement, two things pop into my line of sight. First, there’s a plaque on the door that reads:
Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault
It’s written in an elegant, yet outdated script.
Maisie tilts her head to the side, skeptical of the plaque. “Not sure what a glass vault is.”
I point at a sign to the right of the door. Moving closer to see what it says, I read it aloud:
The illustrious Quinsey Wolfe presents a wonder of the world, a true sight to behold in his infamous glass museum. A forewarning to onlookers and wonderers, beware of your imagination and curiosity. This is not for the faint of heart.
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Author
About Candace Robinson:
My name is Candace Robinson. I’m just your average hemiplegic migraine sufferer. My days are spent writing, book reviewing and traveling through books for my blog, Literary Dust. I live just outside of Houston, Texas, where it feels like the hottest place on Earth with the crazy weather. No, seriously, one day it’s 30 degrees and the next it’s 70 degrees! I live with my husband and awesome daughter!
You can also follow me on my review blog Literary Dust
Anthony Renfro has just released a new batch of short horror stories all in one book!
Check out Nightlight Tales #2.
This is FREE right now on Amazon.
Click on the cover to grab your copy!
Description
The Headless Fountain Man: A simple photo. A quick snap shot. One woman’s perfect picture is about to become her scariest nightmare.
Fear of the Scarecrow: This short story is about a desperate man hungry for revenge. Sometimes revenge comes with a price.
It Sleeps at Dawn: A short story about a Vampire who stalks the Appalachian Mountains. A traditional Vampire who uses fangs instead of guns. He hunts. He kills. He sleeps at Dawn.
The Dead of Winter: This short story is about an apocalyptic nightmare in a crisp frozen landscape filled with winter and living corpses.Two men try to find safety in this dead world. Hoping to ride out the night. Hoping to find warmth and shelter. Hoping not to become food for the zombies.
Gluten-Free: Death by Gluten? One man commits suicide in a most unusual way.
The Lot: A Christmas Tree lot isn’t all it seems to be. It hides evil deadly secrets.
The Dragon: A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology, but what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things. In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life.
Webs: A pyramid in the deep dry desert. What secrets lie within its walls? One explorer is about to find his greatest desire and his worst nightmare inside this ancient artifact.
Gas Station of the Dead: This short story is about a former tanker truck driver who decides to use his skills to deliver gas to those in need during the Zombie Apocalypse.
A Zombie Christmas: This short story is about three men who risk life and limb in a Zombie Apocalypse in order to bring happiness to surviving kids on Christmas Morning.
A Zombie Christmas 2: A boy lost. A family desperate. It’s Christmas in a Zombie Apocalypse and Mike Beem is once again aiming for another Holiday miracle. His goal this year isn’t toys for the kids in the neighborhood. His goal this time is trying to save one small life so another family doesn’t have to suffer the way he suffered.
Flesh for the Zombies: When Mike Beem’s community is savagely attacked, he must exact revenge on those who wronged him. He must put aside all the good he has ever accomplished in order to become someone else. A man without a moral compass. A man without right or wrong. A man who is a cold blooded killer. Will he get his justice or will he die trying? The answers lie within the pages of this short story.
Zombie Beach: Mike Beem has given it all up and run off to live by the beach. Life down on the coast isn’t all that it should be. Days of lying in the sun are replaced with brutal survival. Mike does his best to not only survive, but to rebuild a life among the ruins of these beach side towns.
Excerpt from The Headless Fountain Man
Kim was approaching the annual Canadian Comicon when she was startled by a headless statue sitting inside a large silver fountain. This statue had black Chuck Taylor’s on its feet, red socks on its bare ankles, blue jeans, and was wearing a tee-shirt that read “Water you looking at.” She took out her camera and instead of taking pictures of the various people in cos play costumes (Star Trek, Star Wars, and Frozen seemed to be the lead choices, Frozen, weird, I know, but hey it is a Comicon), she decided to take a picture of this statue, sitting there on its butt, dressed like it was heading for a skateboarding convention, with no head on top of its body. Its head had been replaced with a large white geyser of water that sailed into the air and splashed all over the headless figure and the ground around it.
Her finger froze before she took the shot, something about this statue felt all wrong, something about it didn’t seem right. She focused the lens, and thought she saw the statue raise an arm and wave at her. She paused, and pulled the camera away from her face, opening both eyes. She looked at the statue in the dusky light. It was still sitting there spewing water from its neck, arms and legs unmoving. She shook off the goose bumps, raised the camera to her eye, and snapped the shot. Then she snapped a couple more because you didn’t know which one would be the money shot, best to have backups.
Release Blitz for Beyond a Darkened Shore By Jessica Leake
Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 384 pages
April 10th 2018 by HarperTeen
The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.
The people of Mide have always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn but the entire world.
Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle, the two might have a chance to save their world.
With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.
Praise for the Book
“Beyond a Darkened Shore is thrilling and romantic. This is a must-read for lovers of fantasy, mythology, and folklore.” – Kody Keplinger, New York Times bestselling author of The DUFF and Run
“With undead armies, flesh-eating spirit horses, and a powerful heroine, fantasy, romance, and historical-fiction readers will have a great time.” – Booklist
“While Morrigan and Odin are terrifying, raven-haired Ciara is the star. Beautiful, strong, and independent, she is the perfect warrior princess. Epic historical fantasy filled with deadly creatures, simmering romance, and nonstop action.” – Kirkus Reviews
The waves viciously beat against the worn rock, sending sprays of white water into the air. It should have been deterrent enough, but the Northmen were relentless. Their longship had already landed. Men poured from its side like a wave of death. As I took in the square sail—white with a crimson skeletal dragon—my heart beat a furious rhythm in my chest. I’d fought countless Northmen in battles throughout our kingdom, but the sight of that sail still made every muscle in my body clench in warring fear and anger—and memory.
My clansmen’s blood staining the earth red—
—my sister’s hand in mine as we tried to escape—
—her eyes wide as the blood trailed down her throat, and me, screaming, screaming—
I shook my head, banishing the memories before they could weaken my mind further. Sleipnir snorted and pawed the ground in response. Like other horses, he could sense my emotions. But unlike other horses, my apprehension only made him bolder.
Fergus wheeled his horse over to me and spat on the ground. “Let us pray the blood of the raiders will flow this day.”
I glanced at the men assembled beside me and frowned. A Northman longship of the size of the one on our shore could hold at least sixty men, far more than our own crew. “The battle can go no farther than this cliff—not this time.”
“I will cover you as best I can,” Fergus said. “You search for their leader.”
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword. My arm muscles tensed, and my heart pounded. Anticipation of the battle was always the hardest: the prickling adrenaline, the torrent of memories, the cold dread. I endured it all because my sisters and mother were huddled in fear in their room. We were the only things preventing them from being killed.
I snapped my attention back to the battle. The Northmen had begun the treacherous climb to our stronghold. With any luck, we would pick them off as they emerged at the top of the cliff. The Northman raiding strategy was always to ambush. Instead of recognizing such actions as dishonorable, they seemed happy to live to fight again. They wouldn’t expect us to be waiting for them, and if we could defeat their leader quickly enough, they might retreat. There was no dishonor in retreat in their eyes either, not when their strategy to ambush meant they were usually slinking into a castle and catching its warriors unawares.
Holding the high ground was our advantage. We had to make it count.
With a shout, the first man made it to the top. He showed a momentary flash of surprise that we were lying in wait for him, but he recovered quickly. Battle-axe raised and shield in front of his chest, he charged. More of the enemy followed, their armor and long beards making them indistinguishable from one another. My clansmen made rivers of their blood.
About the Author
Jessica Leake is the author of the adult novels Arcana and The Order of the Eternal Sun, both with Skyhorse. She worked for years as a psychotherapist, but even though she loved her clients, she couldn’t stop writing. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, four young children, lots of chickens, and two dogs who keep everyone in line. Beyond a Darkened Shore is her YA debut. Visit her at www.jessicaleake.com.
Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.
Today I’m sharing The Summer Of New Beginnings, Bette Lee Crosby’s first book in her new Magnolia Grove series, available March 27th.
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The Summer Of New Beginnings
Magnolia Grove #1
by Bette Lee Crosby
Genre: Contemporary / Romance
My Review
Having read a bunch of Bette’s books I couldn’t wait to read this first book in her new series.
There’s no one thing I can point to as why I loved this book. It’s many things. The genuine characters. The anticipation of what’s to come. Feeling all of those feels. Sorrow, heartbreak, frustration, hope, happiness and love. And how easily the story flows. I read this in one sitting. No way could I put it down until I was done.
Meghan is the main character. After her father dies, she gives up her dreams to keep his legacy alive. Along the way you’re introduced to her family. Shown how they struggle to move on and adapt. And Bette throws in a sprinkle of something magical. It comes with four legs and goes by Sox.
I could gush on and on about this book. I adored it. Will be reading it again. And am happily amazed that Bette got me to read outside my normal genre and showed me how good that could be.
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Synopsis
One family learns that love is the greatest miracle of all.
Aspiring journalist Meghan Briggs has always been the responsible one in the family. So when her father passes away unexpectedly, leaving behind his at-risk business, she steps up to save his legacy—even if that means putting her own dreams on hold.
Tracy couldn’t be more different from her sister. She’s always been the rebellious type, without much direction in life. But in the wake of her latest romantic disaster, she finds herself moving back home as a single mother.
As Tracy experiences the difficulties of new motherhood, Meghan faces her own struggle: trying not to fall for the stray puppy she rescued. This is no time for attachments—not to the adorable “Sox,” whose owner is bound to turn up any day, and certainly not to the handsome new vet in town. But as the summer unfolds, she discovers that, like Sox, she may need rescuing, too.
As both sisters navigate unexpected challenges and exciting new relationships, they’ll find that putting the past to rest can make way for beautiful new beginnings.
Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.
Today’s book just released today and you’ll want to check it out!
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Beyond Night
by Eric S. Brown and Steven L. Shrewsbury
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Horror
My Review
Bigfoot, a Roman legion, Picts, wizards and bloody carnage. I knew I had to read this book. I’ve enjoyed Eric’s Bigfoot War Series and this is my first time reading something by Steven. I was curious how this author team would handle the disappearance of a Roman legion consisting of 5000 battle seasoned men.
They did an outstanding job, giving a fascinating historical account of the Roman invasion into Pict lands, spicing it up with some magic in the form of wizards, a weaver and a long dead Pict queen.
And let’s not forget Bigfoot. They are huge, mad with a lust for carnage and damn near unstoppable. When the slew of creatures attack the Roman’s its absolute chaos and this horror fan loved it.
There was a hitch in my reading pleasure though. It was hard going at the beginning. The sentences were oddly written. I’m guessing its written as the character’s would speak in their time. And commas often felt like they were in the wrong place, breaking the flow of the story for me. Once I got the hang of it, I was able to concentrate more on the story. My copy is an ARC so I have no idea if the published book has these same occurrences.
There’s so many agendas in play. Each side believes theirs is the right one and use any means necessary to win. Subterfuge, strategy, magic and blunt force all come into play as all move toward an epic battle.
Egad, this was one dark, vicious read, filled with heavy atmosphere. The writing was powerful and I easily visualized many scenes, my imagination fueled by movies like The 13th Warrior and The Centurian.
If you’re a fan of Bigfoot, Lovecraftian and historical horror, you’ll want to read this one.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
A tale of action, adventure, heroism, horror and sorcery…
BEYOND NIGHT pulls back the veil of nearly two thousand years of jaded history. Come trod in the bloody footprints left by monsters, soldiers and wizards and behold what lies hidden BEYOND NIGHT itself.
It’s Bigfoot War mixed with Lovecraftian horror on the edge of the Roman Empire.
How could Rome lose a Legion? What could’ve happened to blot out the existence of over five thousand men not only form history but the Earth itself?
As the Legion moves north to engage the forces of Pictdom, a dark horror emerges from the bowels of the Earth. Thought to be random attacks by hulking monsters, Decurion August soon learns a dire truth, that these bloody events are directed by opposing the wizards of the Picts. While one side assembles all tribes in a confederated army to battle the Legion, the other pulls these Greyman beasts from the depths of the Earth.
August fights not only these creatures and workers of magicks, but internal passions in the Legion itself.
Can he discover a way to survive the enormous bloodletting about to take place that will only serve to satisfy the wizards of Pictdom?
“Bloody battles, Roman legions, Pictish armies, supernatural entities and the mist covered hills of my homeland… how could I fail to be charmed? Fans of David Gemmell will lap up this earthy, brutal fantasy.” – William Meikle
“Vivid Lovecraftian horror set on the northern fringe of the Roman Empire. A powerful book with very real soldiers—and definitely not for the squeamish.” – David Drake, Hammer’s Slammers
Eric S Brown is the author of numerous book series including the Bigfoot War series, the Kaiju Apocalypse series (with Jason Cordova), the Crypto-Squad series (with Jason Brannon), the Homeworld series (with Tony Faville and Jason Cordova), the Jack Bunny Bam series, and the A Pack of Wolves series. Some of his stand alone books include War of the Worlds plus Blood Guts and Zombies, World War of the Dead, Last Stand in a Dead Land, Sasquatch Lake, Kaiju Armageddon, Megalodon, Megalodon Apocalypse, Kraken, Alien Battalion, The Last Fleet, and From the Snow They Came to name only a few. His short fiction has been published hundreds of times in the small press in beyond including markets like the Onward Drakeand Black Tide Rising anthologies from Baen Books, the Grantville Gazette, the SNAFU Military horror anthology series, and Walmart World magazine. He has done the novelizations for such films as Boggy Creek: The Legend is True (Studio 3 Entertainment) and The Bloody Rage of Bigfoot (Great Lake films). The first book of his Bigfoot War series was adapted into a feature film by Origin releasing in 2014. Werewolf Massacre at Hell’s Gate was the second of his books to be adapted into film in 2015. Major Japanese publisher, Takeshobo, recently bought the reprint rights to his Kaiju Apocalypse series (with Jason Cordova) and it is slated for 2018 release in Japan. Ring of Fire Press will be releasing a collected edition of his Monster Society stories (set in the New York Times Best-selling world of Eric Flint’s 1632) later this year. In addition to his fiction, Eric also writes an award-winning comic book news column entitled “Comics in a Flash.” Eric lives in North Carolina with his wife and two children where he continues to write tales of the hungry dead, blazing guns, and the things that lurk in the woods.
Award winning author Steven L. Shrewsbury lives and works in Central Illinois. He writes hardcore sword & sorcery and horror novels. Twenty of his novels have been published, including Born of Swords, Within, Overkill, Philistine, Hell Billy, Thrall, Blood & Cell, Stronger Than Death, Hawg, Tormentor and Godforsaken. His horror/western series includes Bad Magick, Last Man Screaming and the forthcoming Mojo Hand. He has collaborated with Brian Keene on the two works King of the Bastards and Throne of the Bastards and Peter Welmerink on the Viking saga Bedlam Unleashed. A big fan of books, history, guns, the occult, religion and sports, he tries to seek out brightness in the world, wherever it may hide.
I love Anthony’s stories and have read and shared a bunch of them. He’s got a new release you should check out.
Like your horror in smaller bites? The Dragon will do the trick. And it comes with a couple of bonus stories too!
The Dragon
With Bonus Stories
by Anthony Renfro
Synopsis
What happens when they ask The Dragon to summon a demon? A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology, but what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things. In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life.
Bonus Short Story: Webs
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A pyramid in the deep dry desert. What secrets lie within its walls? One explorer is about to find his greatest desire and his worst nightmare inside this ancient artifact.
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Bonus Short Story: The Headless Fountain Man
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A simple photo. A quick snap shot. One woman’s perfect picture is about to become her scariest nightmare.
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Enjoy this excerpt from The Dragon
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Pat followed, looking around at the huge house, no, not looking, gawking would be the appropriate word. The place was huge with a dining room filled with a table that could sit twenty, a library full of books (some rare, some new), and further down the massive hallway with the vaulted ceilings stood four more rooms, all of them hidden behind closed doors. They opened each closed door, and found bedrooms with full baths behind them. They moved on, stopping at the end of the hall when they reached the staircase.
“Would you look at that?” Doug replied, as he stepped onto the bottom part of it. He ran his hand over the ivory railing, and eye balled the expensive carpet that covered each step.
“I bet this place has at least ten rooms in it.”
“Probably more if you consider the attic and basement,” Doug replied, shining his light up the curved staircase. He couldn’t see beyond the curve, but he knew there was another massive amount of space lurking upstairs.
Pat started to move. “Come on, let’s see what’s at the end?”
Doug followed, and at the end of the hall they found a kitchen big enough for a hotel. It was covered with cabinets and hanging cookware, all kinds of cookware, from cast iron to copper bottom. They took a few moments to raid the pantry and fridge, both of which had lots of supplies in them. It was the packaged food and cold beer that both boys took advantage of. They were under 21, but just above the age of 18 so the alcohol was the real treat. After pounding back a few beers, Doug got up to go find a bathroom and on his way back to the kitchen he stumbled upon The Dragon.
“Look what I found,” Doug replied.
“Is that one of those Dragon things that work only with your voice?” Pat asked, standing up, stumbling over to where his friend was standing.
“I wonder if the house is hooked up to it?” Doug asked, looking at his friend.
“Plug it in, find out.”
Doug found a USB outlet, and slipped the plug into the square hole. He was happy to discover that the power hadn’t been turned off in the house. Both boys let the machine warm up, watching the blue light spin around the top, waiting for it to be ready to use. When the light died, the machine sat cold and lifeless, waiting for a response to wake it from slumber.
Everyone tells me it does. They say, “Spencer Elliott, don’t worry, you’ll find it one day. You just have to find the right man and when you do, it will surprise the heck out of you.”
I’m still waiting for that heck of a surprise to hit. It has proven to be elusive thus far. I’m pretty sure the entire world is lying about love and the joke is on me.
I know I want a man in my heart and in my life. Unfortunately, most men immediately push my OFF button and I lose interest quickly.
Feeling pressure to prove I’m trying to find my soulmate, I finally give in and agree to a date. Huge mistake. Afterward I find myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere, in desperate need of help.
That’s when I meet Stony by chance.
He’s a silent and unsmiling man who intrigues me with his ability to keep going after life has knocked him down. Suddenly the abstract notion of love becomes tangible and within my reach. Once I experience it, I wonder how I ever lived without it.
That’s when I stay with Stony by choice.
But when Stony’s hidden past and present-day reality collide, his silence is broken. And the truth about his life nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t compete with ghosts from the past.
I refuse to fight for a man’s love. He either loves me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.
My only hope is . . . he does.
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The Sound of Silence Series is a three book series.
Book One: Stone Silence, Spencer’s Story
Book Two: Jailbird, Mia’s Story
Book Three: Hothouse Flower, Shay’s Story
Each book has a happy ending and there are no cliffhangers. They are not standalones and should be read in order.
Hate waiting for the next book in a series?
You won’t have to wait long!
Yay!
Jailbird, Book Two will be released on December 1st, 2017
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Hothouse Flower, Book Three will be released on January 1st, 2018
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What readers are saying about STONE SILENCE:
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This story just wrapped me in its arms and held me tight. I adored the characters and never wanted the book to end. Dean weaves a heart-tugging romance like nobody else’s business. Her books are always a feast to my literary mind and always go on my To-Read-Again pile once I finish.
-Charissa Stastny, Author
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Once again Dean takes the raw pain and hurt many of us can relate to, and creates a perfectly romantic tale for readers to escape into, giving us hope, love, second chances and ultimately that believable happily ever after we all seek for as true romance lovers.
-Mylissa’s Reviews and Book Thoughts
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READ AN EXCERPT FROM STONE SILENCE:
“You like home improvement?” he asks.
“I love it. But let’s pick something we both like.”
“Let’s rock, paper, scissors it.”
“Excuse me?” I say, surprised at his suggestion. Again, the levity feels a little odd without an accompanying smile.
He holds out his hand. “Ready? If I win, it’s the baseball game, if you win, it’s home improvement.”
I’m still a little stunned and stare at him open-mouthed.
“You do know how to play rock, paper, scissors, right?”
Flustered, I say, “Yes, of course.”
“Okay then, let’s do this.”
I hold out my hand and he counts, “1, 2, 3
. . .”
He does paper and I do scissors. I win.
“Home improvement it is,” he says.
He flips to HGTV where an episode of House Hunters is playing. He settles into the recliner and seems content.
“You like this?” I ask. “I mean, really, we can watch whatever you’d like.”
“Used to be in the business. Now I just own several rentals.”
“What was your business?”
“Flipping houses. Selling them.”
Okay, that explains why he’s fine with watching HGTV. “You don’t mind watching this?”
“Don’t make me admit it.”
I laugh aloud at this funny man. His deadpan expression makes everything seem funnier than it really is. I can’t hide my smile as I stare at the TV. He’s an enigma and I want to solve the
mystery. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Might not answer.”
“Can I ask anyway?” I say.
“Ask away.”
“How much time do you save in your life by never speaking in full sentences?”
He looks over at me with narrowed eyes, but I don’t back down.
“Eons,” he retorts. Then he mumbles, “Smart aleck.”
I laugh, but he remains . . . well, Stony.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
