I’ve read several of Wendy’s books and she’s always given me mysteries not easily solved and thrills to keep me awake.
And so it goes with….
Blue Moon
by Wendy Corsi Staub
Genre: Thrillers, Suspense Published by: William Morrow, Mass Market Publication Date: July 26th 2016 Number of Pages: 448 ISBN: 0062349759 (ISBN13: 9780062349750) Series: Mundy’s Landing #2
My Review
Chaos descends on Mundy’s Landing.
Annabelle starts to wonder if buying one of the notorious Murder houses was such a good idea. Sure, it was cheap, but with a socially challenged son and all of the lookie loos gathering outside, it’s not such a good deal.
One hundred years ago, three young girls, the Sleeping beauties, were murdered. Their bodies dressed in white nightgowns, arms crossed, and left in three different houses. They didn’t live in them. In fact, their identities were never discovered. And their deaths remain unsolved.
Now, the town overflows as people from all over crowd the streets during Mundypalooza, the 100th anniversary of the murders, hoping to solve the crime and win the large reward.
When Annabelle spies a stranger lurking in her back yard, she’s hesitant to report it as she fears the police will brush it off as just another snoop. Perhaps they’re right. But what if they’re not?
Told from several different perspectives, this was a chilling mystery and not easily solved. I had no idea who the killer was, past or present, until the author revealed it.
How Wendy told the story was a good choice, giving us insights from the killer of a hundred years ago through his diary entries, thoughts from the present copycat killer, and the desperate sleuthing of Annabelle.
Sure keeps you guessing as you flip through the pages. I watch a lot of crime shows and Criminal Minds came to mind while I read this. I used it to visualize scenes and that made it especially creepy.
Good stuff for mystery, suspense, and thriller readers. Wendy never fails to get your heart pumping and your body jumping at those strange noises outside.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub returns to Mundy’s Landing—a small town where bygone bloodshed has become big business.
Hair neatly braided, hands serenely clasped, eyes closed, the young woman appeared to be sound asleep. But the peaceful tableau was a madman’s handiwork. Beneath the covers, her white nightgown was spattered with blood. At daybreak, a horrified family would discover her corpse tucked into their guest room. The cunning killer would strike again . . . and again . . . before vanishing into the mists of time.
A century ago, the Sleeping Beauty Murders terrified picturesque Mundy’s Landing. The victims, like the killer, were never identified. Now, on the hundredth anniversary, the Historical Society’s annual “Mundypalooza” offers a hefty reward for solving the notorious case.
Annabelle Bingham, living in one of the three Murder Houses, can’t escape the feeling that her family is being watched—and not just by news crews and amateur sleuths. She’s right. Having unearthed the startling truth behind the horrific crimes, a copycat killer is about to reenact them—beneath the mansard roof of Annabelle’s dream home . . .
Purchase Links:
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Author Wendy Corsi Staub
USA Today and New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than seventy novels and has twice been nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband and their two children.
I can’t wait to share this fabulous series with you today.
R.E. Sheahan’s Storm Of Arranon books are a blend of YA Fantasy and Science Fiction. The worlds are fantastical and filled with wonderous creatures and genuine characters.
Come on in. Check them out.
Enjoy my reviews.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
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Allies And Enemies
Storm Of Arranon #3
by R.E. Sheahan
Genre: YA Fantasy / Science Fiction
My Review
It’s always difficult to review a next book in a series, but here goes!
What a rush. The suspense starts right from the get go. A key character is attacked and lies in a coma, slowly dying from a mysterious poison. The only one who can save him is their most dangerous enemy.
Both worlds are threatened by one beings arrogance and lust for power.
Trust is in low supply and appearances aren’t what they seem.
Friends will betray friends and some enemies will become allies.
Not everyone will survive the war to come.
A compelling story line and taut writing drive this action packed story to a fast and furious ending. I can’t count on two hands how many times I held my breath as I read on, worried about what would or wouldn’t happen next.
The blend of fantasy and science fiction lends much to this story of two worlds, fantastical creatures, mysterious forces, and danger around every corner.
Love, loyalty, and honor keep these character’s going when it looks like all hope is lost. Many of my favorite ones are back in this third chapter and some new ones appear to love or loathe. All have a strong presence and feel genuine, flaws and baggage included.
I should tell you that you can read this third story without having read the first two. The author easily fills in most of previous events fluidly and in the right places to keep you from becoming confused and the story flowing smoothly. That being said, I’d recommend you read the others first. Why miss all the fun!
And the ending. It was so good, but I warn you, while it’s not a cliffhanger, the author drops in a “what the ? just happened” that will have you anxiously wanting the next book. A little birdie told me it’s in the works and shouldn’t be too far away.
5 Stars
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Synopsis
A vicious attack on life and love. A race to deny death. Trust blurs and alliances break. The chase begins.
A powerful evil threatens the natural balance of Arranon, endangering all that lives. No less important to Captain Erynn Yager, a life treasured above her own hovers in a coma, close to death.
In a race to uncover a cure and stop the mounting peril, Erynn risks everything—becoming the hunted. She challenges authority and allies herself with a being others believe a mortal enemy. In pursuit of the true evil, Erynn finds the line blurred between those they trust and those set against them.
Answers remain beyond reach.
Erynn embraces her abilities, joining her will with the living consciousness of Arranon. Her authority and confidence rises, and she strikes out against a murderous cruelty—becoming the hunter.
The story takes place in the future. The daughter of a famous general, Erynn is in training to be an interceptor fighter pilot. A sudden betrayal reveals an alien species has infiltrated the government at its highest levels. They want to harvest the planets of Korin and Arranon for their resources, which means total annihilation. With betrayal everywhere Erynn and her friends are not sure who to trust anymore.
Forced to flee Korin and seek safety on Arranon, Erynn learns about the mystery of her origins and her ability of Prophesy. She begins to understand her connection to the planet. A secret forced upon her since childhood may hold the key to saving both planet if only she can unlock it in time.
What an adventure! It is fantasy and science fiction all rolled up in one.
I really enjoyed reading Storm of Arranon. All of the characters are well-developed and understandable and the world building is almost visual without being too complicated and overshadowing the plot.
Erynn’s connection to the animals on Arranon was fun to read. I kept trying to envision what a Capora looked like – maybe a cross between a yak and a horse? And the Maejen, maybe a giant species of timber wolf?
R.E. Sheahan does a superb job of world building. She shows you the planets, their inhabitants and their cities, revealing an earnest desire for you to easily understand and enter these worlds.
If you have seen Avatar and remember how the flora and fauna all glowed with iridescent,brilliant colors, that is how I picture the Anim Blath.
They are alive, sentient, and they speak to Erynn, sing to her. Like the living voice of Arranon.
There is a budding romance between Jaer and Erynn, but the author kept it in its place. It was not the focal point of the plot but did add to my interest.
Storm of Arranon has magic, action, good and evil, friendship and romance, with an out of this world flavor. I think young readers and adults will enjoy this story. So well written, I was surprised that this was R.E. Sheahan’s debut novel. This story can stand alone and the ending is very satisfying. I am happy to hear there will be more. A great beginning to a series.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Beneath Erynn’s petite build, curly red hair, and startling blue eyes, lies a deeply hidden secret.If the truth about her were revealed, her life would be in danger. Her dream to be a fighter pilot would tailspin, crash, and burst into flames.
Jaer’s wise brown eyes reflect his smoldering strength. An enigma, charismatic and moody, he is a physically powerful warrior who defends his world. A warrior afraid to love because of mistakes in his past.
When the presence of a marauding alien society is discovered on their planets, a struggle of life and death begins. Both Erynn and Jaer’s worlds face annihilation.
A mysterious force plunges Erynn into Jaer’s cold, dangerous, and beautiful world with its magical essence and living consciousness. Both the alien enemy and this strange inexplicable power purse Erynn.
I’m going to do my best to tell you about Fire and Ice, Book Two, without giving any spoilers. You’ve been warned:)
How about I give you a taste of the opening to this awesome sequel!
“A high piercing scream ripped through the icy air and echoed along the dark intersecting tunnels. The shrieking faded and died.”
Right away I’m entranced! Read on.
“Possession was a painful adjustment.
For the one being possessed.
Dhoran smiled. He felt the corners of the host’s lips jerk in a reluctant response.
Resistance is useless.
Dhoran stared down at his new body. Sensations dead for nearly two decades rushed through him. ….A light sweetness lingered in his mouth and he licked full lips, finding more of this spicy syrupiness. His tongue darted across even teeth blunted with flat surfaces for grinding. He frowned.
There will be no rip and tear to this bite.
Dhoran raised his hands and glared down at the shape and size of them….he missed the thick claws and taut muscles that had rippled under the glossy red-gold scales of his body.”
The evil Dhoran is back and up to some new tricks.
I was introduced to the world of Arranon in Storm of Arranon, Book One. I made many friends and was fascinated by the world R.E. Sheahan built.
The first book won my heart and imagine how happy I was to find Fire and Ice was even better. The author’s writing is tighter, more showing then telling. This is excellent as I would love to be able to see Erynn’s world of Arranon. You almost can.
I love the world beneath the surface of Arranon, the soul of the planet. Yes, the planet is alive, and the connection to Erynn is strong. The exotic visual descriptions of flora and fauna had my imagination spinning.
One of my favorite creatures are the wolves. I have a thing for the beautiful creatures and I could just see them so clearly.
My favorite characters, Erynn and Jaer, along with some others, are back. And there’s a new one that will keep you guessing. I’d like to know more of this one’s story.
If you haven’t read the first book, the good news is you will still love this one. The author gives you enough background to fill you in.
There’s more danger, action, and suspense too. Erynn’s determination to protect Arranon has made her mature and step up her game, keeping you so wrapped up in Fire and Ice. Dhoran’s lust for power, to rule the world, is formidable. The many characters enrich the story and bring it all to life.
The battles are intense, but not too graphic, and the romance is light, with no sexual scenes. I would recommend this to everyone.
A wonderous continuance in the addictive story of Arranon and it’s fate.
5 Stars
~~~
Synopsis
Newly commissioned Interceptor fighter pilot, Erynn Yager, knows sacrifice. Her battle against a brutal alien enemy intent on destroying her two worlds set her on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, all while struggling to gain control of her secret abilities. With the alien threat crushed, Erynn believes the worst is behind her. She settles in to experience first love and a changed life on a hidden military base deep inside a glacier covered mountain on Arranon.
Her peaceful existence can’t last.
Dhoran, the evil sovereign of Arranon’s underworld has risen from the dead to possess an unwilling human. Dhoran’s powers grow while he plots a war that may plunge Arranon onto a path of destruction neither realm will survive. Arranon is pulled into chaos as violence spreads across the planet.
Drawn first in visions, Erynn enters a diverse world beneath Arranon’s surface, a realm teeming with danger, mystery, and beauty. The battle thrusts her into an uncharted kingdom, intensifying her connection to the heart and soul of the living Arranon.
Before I wrote, I read. Voraciously. When I wasn’t able to read, I listened to audio books on tape or CD. Still do.
Hi. My name is Robynn E Sheahan and I live and write from the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
I started to dabble in writing while working as a Paramedic/Firefighter in Northern California. Trust me, it’s not like it appears on TV. There was plenty of time for books.
Ideas from dreams follow me into warm sunny days or the quiet of falling snow. What ifs feed a vivid imagination. Even miss-typed phrases may lead to an aha moment. Brain storming sessions standing in windy, dark parking lots with fellow writers release thoughts that pry at the corners of my mind, grasping for purchase. Sometimes the ideas pursue me, with persistence.
About three years ago the dabbling became serious when worlds and characters screamed for, no, demanded attention. So I wrote my first manuscript. Critiques and rewrites filled the next two years.
I now had STORM OF ARRANON, the first book in the series.
Right off the bat, I enjoyed the tempo of author Mary Feliz’s writing. No wasted words or dragging scenes. Just a fast paced story both well written, and thought out. ~Lisa K’s Book Reviews
The author did a great job with the characters and setting you can easily imagine you are a part of the story. ~Sleuth Cafe
Ms. Feliz’s writing style is engaging and made for a most enjoyable read. ~Back Porchervations
With fresh new characters and a strong story, you won’t be able to put this one down. ~Shelley’s Book Case
Be sure and get yourself comfortable as you read this hard to put down book. ~Texas Book-aholic
The plot was interesting and developed at an even pace, with a few unexpected twists leading up to the story’s resolution. All in all, a nice light read. ~Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes
I thought this book had some really interesting characters and it was different from other cozies I have read… ~Storeybook Reviews
Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in the small town of Orchard Valley, in the hills above Silicon Valley. This captivating and fast-paced whodunit tale has enough quirky characters, witty humor, drama, intriguing twists and turns, and conspiracy theories that will keep you guessing. ~Jersey Girl Book Reviews
I thought this was a well written book with a good plot. It kept me turning pages and guessing up until the end. ~Melina’s Book Blog
New Series Cozy Mystery Lyrical Underground (July 19, 2016) E-book – 320 pages ASIN: B01B0KK5P8
My Review
Maggie has a lot on her plate right from the beginning. Her and her husband and two sons have just arrived at their new home and it’s turned out to be much more of a project to get ready to live in than they thought. While doing a run through to see what needs to be done, they find a dead man in their basement. What a way to say hello to your new neighbors. Their front lawn is soon filled with emergency vehicles and flashing lights.
I’m huge on making lists and enjoy checking it and crossing off the items I’ve accomplished. I need those lists to keep from spinning in circles. Now to remember to take them with me. LOL To say Maggie makes lists is a huge understatement. Her business, Simplicity Itself Organizing Services, is making lists for clients and organizing everything for them. Who would have thought, with so much going wrong right from the first day in their new home, that she might need help herself.
I better not forget to mention the vandalism. It seems someone has targeted Maggie’s new home and is trying to either drive her family out, or burn the place down. The vandalism spreads to her son’s school and it seems to be connected. All trails lead back to home. As vandalism turns to violence, fear and danger escalate. More than hopes of a new life are at stake.
I enjoyed the tips for organizing that Maggie offers at the beginning of each chapter. Not sure I’d ever be that organized, but I’ll be using some and there are others I already do. Good to know I’m not the only one who thinks and thinks again.
There are lots of characters to meet, and while you don’t get to see some of them that often, they are easily recognizable. The author really does a great job of fleshing them out with just a few words here and there about their attitudes and the way they carry themselves. That was wonderful, because I’m huge on character driven stories.
It took me a bit to start adding some people to my own suspect list. One was fairly obvious pretty quickly, but I had a feeling that one was too obvious. I had lots of fun getting to the end and especially enjoyed reading about how the family adjusted and settled in to a new way of life while coping with one thing after another that obstructs their efforts.
Almost forgot to mention, many of the character’s have pets and I found it fun to see what kind each one had. My home is a mix of cats, dogs, and a parrot, and is quite lively and loud.
I’m a quick reader and read this in about two hours. I’d suggest you set aside some time when you start it. You’ll find it quite hard to stop when you do.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
For professional organizer Maggie McDonald, moving her family into a new home should be the perfect organizational challenge. But murder was definitely not on the to-do list . . .
Maggie McDonald has a penchant for order that isn’t confined to her clients’ closets, kitchens, and sock drawers. As she lays out her plan to transfer her family to the hundred-year-old house her husband, Max, has inherited in the hills above Silicon Valley, she has every expectation for their new life to fall neatly into place. But as the family bounces up the driveway of their new home, she’s shocked to discover the house’s dilapidated condition. When her husband finds the caretaker face-down in their new basement, it’s the detectives who end up moving in. What a mess! While the investigation unravels and the family camps out in a barn, a killer remains at large—exactly the sort of loose end Maggie can’t help but clean up . . .
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About The Author
Mary Feliz has lived in five states and two countries but calls Silicon Valley home. Traveling to other areas of the United States, she’s frequently reminded that what seems normal in the high-tech heartland can seem decidedly odd to the rest of the country. A big fan of irony, serendipity, diversity, and quirky intelligence tempered with gentle humor, Mary strives to bring these elements into her writing, although her characters tend to take these elements to a whole new level. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and National Association of Professional Organizers. Mary is a Smith College graduate with a degree in Sociology. She lives in Northern California with her husband, near the homes of their two adult offspring. Visit Mary online at MaryFeliz.com, or follow her on Twitter @MaryFelizAuthor.
I enjoy short stories and collections, especially creepy ones. And I take into account that they are just nibbles, not complete stories.
Some of these were great. They gave me the shivers and I truly thought the characters got what they deserved. And a couple had me a bit confused. Perhaps because the dead were too.
The dead speak from their graves in Golden Stone Cemetery. They have some ghastly tales to tell. Just how wicked were they to be buried and forgotten?. Would they repent if they could? Do they lust for revenge? Are their souls worth saving?
The answers lie in these pages. It takes talent to spin good tales using so little words, and this author passed my test. While the stories are short, they leave a lasting impression.
This is one that I couldn’t stop reading until I read the last word. Several of the stories had me thinking long afterwards. That’s why I’ll be reading more from this author.
To quote R.L. Stine: “Beware, you’re in for a scare!”
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Each story in this series teaches a lesson the person behind the stone should have learned before committing crime, hurting someone else, or generally failing at life.
We’re about to enter Golden Stone Cemetery, where these unfortunate people are buried so deep you can barely find their markers. Their crimes are so heinous and their deeds so cruel that family members buried them here because they want to forget they ever existed.
Enter at your own risk.
Genre: Horror; Paranormal Suspense Published by: Fideli Publishing Inc. Publication Date: April 7th 2016 Number of Pages: 98 ISBN: 1604149124 (ISBN13: 9781604149128) Series: Hidden Truths and Lies is the 4th book in Fran Lewis’s FACES BEHIND THE STONES series of stand alone novellas. Purchase Links:
More Reviews:
“The stories in this collection by Fran Lewis are gripping in suspense and demonstrate a vivid imagination. I picked them up planning to read for a few minutes and couldn’t stop until I had finished the last story. Fran understands well and expresses the dark side that many people have. Motivated by greed or self-interest, some in these stories who seem like people we encounter every day are willing to undertake terrifying actions. It makes for an excellent read.” — Allan Topol, author of !e Italian Divide and The Washington Lawyer
“Hidden Truths and Lies is a compilation of stories told from beyond the grave each one filled with terror as the character faces his or her own fate. The final two stories are pure science fiction and will hopefully allow readers to see the magnitude of this talented writer.” — Susan Ross, Board Of Education, NYC
Read an excerpt:
Introduction
Each story in this series teaches a lesson the person behind the stone should have learned before committing crime, hurting someone else, or generally failing at life. We’re about to enter Golden Stone Cemetery, where these unfortunate people are buried so deep you can barely find their markers. Their crimes are so heinous and their deeds so cruel that family members buried them here because they want to forget they ever existed.
Welcome to Golden Stone Cemetery, where the voices of these unfortunates can be heard loud and clear. Learning what they did and what their fates became will make you shudder. When you find out just how cruel they were in life, you’ll be glad they’re gone. You’ll be relieved that their families made sure the spirits of each of these nefarious characters will never rise again.
Who lies behind these unmarked stones? Let their stories unfold…
Fran Lewis: Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters Degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge. In addition, she is the author of three children’s books and a fourth that has just been published on Alzheimer’s disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. The title of my new Alzheimer’s book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain? Fran is the author of 13 titles.
I’ve enjoyed other books in Daryl’s Cookbook Nook Mystery series and am happy to be visiting her characters and Crystal Cove again. I’ve also read a book from her Cheese Shop Mystery series written as Avery Ames. Another fun series.
Check out my review.
Enjoy the short guest post and delicious recipe Daryl is sharing with us.
I’ve read one other book in the Cookbook Nook series, Fudging The Books, and really enjoyed it. Good to be back with these characters again along with meeting some new ones.
One of those characters is Sylvia Gump, local business owner and town bully. You know the type, puts on airs, looks down her nose at you, her needs come first. Well, it should come as no surprise that, when fireman report to a brush fire, the dead body they discover is Sylvia’s. And, since Jenna’s father has been in several very public arguments with her, he’s in line as suspect #1.
So many suspects. It seems like when Jenna clears someone from her list, something else pops up and they’re back on it. Not an easy one to solve, which keeps Jenna hopping and those pages turning.
And there’s a humdinger of a surprise too. I kind of suspected it a time or two, but then I got caught up in the mystery again, and forgot about it, so I was eventually caught unaware.
Last time I visited Crystal Cove it was Pirate Week. This time it’s the Wild West Extravaganza. Living on the Gulf Coast, we have lots of fairs and summer events and it always feels like my home town when somethings cooking at Crystal Cove.
Lots to entertain in this next book in the series. I’ll be following to see what happens next in this delightful community.
And there’s some yummy recipes to try too. I always enjoy checking them out.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Things heat up for bookstore owner Jenna Hart in the latest Cookbook Nook mystery from the Agatha Award-winning author of Fudging the Books.
As the Wild West Extravaganza rides into Crystal Cove, California, Cookbook Nook store owner Jenna Hart is ready to indulge her appetite for grilled and barbecued treats and maybe even try the Texas skip. But when the body of one of her father’s neighbors is found the next morning smoldering in a bonfire, the rodeo revelry is extinguished.
Sylvia Gump had acquired plenty of enemies with her practice of illegally encroaching on her neighbors’ properties—including Jenna’s dad, who was off fishing by himself and has no alibi for the murder. Now it’s up to Cary Hart’s dutiful daughter to clear his name before the real killer turns up the heat and rakes someone else over the coals…
INCLUDES RECIPES
And here’s one of those yummy recipes!
Okay, here’s a little health lesson for today. Don’t moan! This will be quick and painless. Promise. LOL
There are good foods and super foods; good fats and bad fats. I’ve been reading up on this. Why? It turns out my body is producing cholesterol. I’m eating right and I’m fairly thin. I exercise, and I don’t smoke. But darn it, I have to take medicine to keep my cholesterol low.
Do you know your HDL and LDL and triglycerides numbers? You should. Ask your doctor.
Anyway, let’s get to some technical stuff:
To lower cholesterol eat:
Oats, red wine, salmon, nuts, green tea, beans (or legumes, especially kidney beans and black beans), dark chocolate, garlic, olive oil. (Yes, you read that right. Red wine and dark chocolate!) Blueberries are good for you, too!
What are some good fats?
Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) help reduce visceral fat, the type of fat that promotes cardiovascular health. An avocado fits into this category. Yay for me! I love avocados.
And now that the lecture is done, fix this yummy recipe, grab some low-salt tortilla chips, pick up a good book, and dive in!
PS You all know I love cookbooks. I write about them in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. I found this recipe in Food & Wine Best of the Best 2012: the Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year–inspired by a version from Truly Mexican by Santibañez, Goode & Wiseman. I tweaked it and tell you how I did so at the end.
AVOCADO AND BLUE CHEESE GUACAMOLE
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
1 avocado, large
2 tablespoons chopped white onion
2 jalapeño chiles, diced fine
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice
3 ounces Point Reyes Blue cheese, crumbled
Mash avocado. Chop the onion and mince the chiles. Add to the avocado. Add the salt, the lemon juice, and half of the crumbled blue cheese. [This is one of the richest blue cheeses I’ve ever tasted. Yum!] Whip together.
Set in a serving bowl. Top with more blue cheese.
*The recipe from Truly Mexican included ¼ cup chopped smoked almonds. They used lime juice instead of Meyer lemon juice. And they added cilantro. They used a total of 3 tablespoons of the cheese. I doubled that.
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About This Author
DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestsellingCookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestsellingCheese Shop Mystery seriesfeaturing a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio.Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. In addition, she has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself. She absolutely adores Lake Tahoe, where GIRL ON THE RUN is set, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky.
Welcome to my stop on the tour for Special Levels Of Earthly Hell.
Special thanks to Author Merry Freer for answering my question.
Enjoy her guest post and my review.
And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
Now. let see what Merry has to say!
“Why did you choose this event to write about and have you ever experienced a paranormal experience?”
The events in “Special Levels of Earthly Hell” are inspired by actual events that occurred to members of both my nuclear family and my extended family. There is something cathartic about writing about experiences that are either frightening, unexplainable, or horrific. The protagonist in the story is my son. I feel that through reliving these unbelievable events it helped him to bring up buried feelings and deal with them.
We were never a family who gave much thought to paranormal activity until my son was married and began to experience the demonic possession of his wife in a very personal manner. It was all the more disturbing to him because he is not a religious person and he had a great deal of difficulty reconciling his experience with his belief.
I have never had a personal paranormal experience, but I was certainly affected by the unworldly events seemed to precede the horror documented in this book. People were killed. Children were murdered. Like I said…..cathartic.
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Special Levels Of Earthly Hell
by Merry Freer
Genre: Supernatural Horror
My Review
What a sad, creepy story. It reads like a family saga, going from sister to sister, country to country, following them as their lives intersect and slowly crumble.
What made this especially chilling to read was realizing that, while fictionalized, this story was inspire by actual events.
Something is tearing these families apart, right down to their foundations. Possession is often scoffed at, but not by me. Nothing chills me more than to think of something taking over my body, controlling me, trying to kill me.
I could understand the hesitation and disbelief. But I wondered why they didn’t get the hell out. It turns out the outcome wouldn’t have changed. What happened was far removed from their focus.
Knowing something terrible will happen doesn’t make it any less scary when it finally does. The author does a good job of putting you in the character’s shoes. And when the entity shows itself, you’ll be glad you’re just reading about it, not there facing it.
The ending was rather abrupt for my taste and left me with a few unanswered questions. But it did have one of those ‘finally’ moments where the characters finally did what they should have done a long time ago
Disturbing and realistic. Not one for the faint of heart. And one I recommend for mature readers.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Drew Collins experiences the world in black and white. As an educated man of science, he rejects belief in the paranormal and the existence of demons. Until an evil energy he calls “The Beast” repeatedly enters his bedroom at night and takes possession of his wife’s body.
What he witnesses at night in his own bedroom cannot be reconciled with science. And yet he sees it with his own eyes, feels its presence, ominous and evil, with his entire being.
Against every instinct, Drew reaches out for help. It is not just his marriage that’s at stake. The evil force has invaded his wife’s family, tearing them apart and culminating in bloodshed and murder. Drew must face a stark choice: sacrifice his belief that the world is a rational place and fight an entity he doesn’t understand and is reluctant to label, or abandon his wife and her family.
Author’s Note to the Reader: Sadly, the most frightening and brutal events in this book are factual. The story is loosely based on one family’s experience with multiple tragedies, some of them “ripped from the headlines.” It is also an excruciatingly factual account of one man’s experience with a loved one who is possessed by a demonic presence. However, it transcends genre and is as much a tale of romance, of cultural barriers, of abuse, and of family drama, as it is of demonic possession.The link between the introduction of an evil spirit and the heartbreaking misfortunes that are visited on the family is left for the reader to decide.
Enjoy the excerpt
It was 3:00am, though Drew didn’t notice the time. He was startled into a state of complete consciousness by a feeling of intense dread and fear. Had he been sleeping? Had the feeling returned because he let go – drifted off and let down his guard? Terror ripped through him when he sensed a malevolent force above him. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Even in the pitch darkness of the room, he could see that a dark silhouette straddled him, standing upright, and as he recognized the form, he knew, with a lightning fast certainty he didn’t yet understand, that it only appeared to be his Adriana, her body inhabited by the evil force, her spirit squeezed from her helpless body and now possessed by whatever energy had terrorized them. He brought his eyes to meet those of the adversary that stood above him, silently begging to find recognition, but its black, dead eyes rolled back in their sockets and he realized instantly, as though by telepathy, that it intended to attack him…to fall on him! The form became completely rigid, falling straight forward like a stone slab toward his prone body, with no regard to how it might land. He let out a scream of primal fear that came from the depths of his being. Some kind of demonic beast was hurtling toward him and, throwing up his arms and hands to protect himself from its fall, he instinctively pushed at the foreign creature and threw it from his body, his hands burning with the contact. The creature’s head took the force of the fall, cracking into the heavy nightstand beside the bed.
Sitting up in the bed, shaking, perspiration dripping from his pores, he reached for the lamp on the nightstand and reluctantly turned the switch, terrified of what he might find, knowing he had no choice.
On the floor beside the table lay Adriana, his wife, in a fetal position, holding the back of her head, crying and confused. Drew climbed from the bed, taking her in his arms.
“What happened to me?” she whimpered, still rubbing the growing bump on her head.
“You don’t remember anything?” Drew whispered, carrying her limp body back to the bed.
“I think I hurt my head,” she said.
“You climbed over me to turn on the light and you fell,” Drew lied.
~~~~~
Author Merry Freer
Merry Freer is an author of memoir and fact-based fiction. “Special Levels of Earthly Hell: The Story of One Family’s Chilling Struggle with Demonic Possession” was inspired by actual events that were experienced by her nuclear and extended families, tearing relationships apart and making national news headlines. This book comes on the heels of her first book, a memoir named “Doctor, Doctor.” While “Doctor, Doctor” is her debut novel, she has been a writer and editor for many years, including work with the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Hall of Champions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from San Diego State University and has been a featured speaker for classes dealing with medical ethics.
Her controversial memoir, “Doctor, Doctor,” topped the Best Seller List in True Crime/White Collar Crime for 10 months and received a “Best Books of 2014” award from “Suspense Magazine.”
Having read the Cassie Scot Series and loved them, I was thrilled to be able to read more of the author’s magical world and characters.
Kaitlin’s Tale obviously features Kaitlin, a friend of Cassie’s. Being a non magical resident in a predominantly magical community, she’s felt like a bit of a fifth wheel. When Kaitlin learns she’s pregnant after a momentary lapse in judgement, she follows the father, Jason, and travels from place to place. But, what started out as a grand adventure soon revealed itself to be the stuff of nightmares. Jason is a vampire. All semblance of his human self is gone now, and he wants something from the baby.
Finding a safe haven from the vampire soon proves to be another nightmare. The people of the Hunter’s Guild have no use for a non magical person. Kaitlin is allowed refuge because they also want something from her baby. And the man who could help her is not to be trusted. With no where to turn and time running out, Kaitlin has to make a choice.
I’ve become so fond of this magical community and, while all of the characters have been through some pretty harrowing experiences, Kaitlin’s Tale is darker, right from the beginning. I was immediately drawn into a malevolent, unnerving atmosphere. One that actually had me mentally squirming in my seat. I always wondered if Christine could write something darker, more ominous, and she did a bang up job with this one.
If you’re hesitant about this book because you haven’t read the Cassie Scot Series, don’t be. This can easily be read as a stand alone. And I bet you’ll want to read the other books after reading Kaitlin’s Tale.
Truly hoping there will be more companion novels from the Cassie Scot Series. I’ll be first in line to grab them.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Kaitlin Mayer is on the run from the father of her baby – a vampire who wants her to join him in deadly eternity. Terrified for her young son, she seeks sanctuary with the Hunters Guild. Yet they have their own plans for her son, and her hopes of safety are soon shattered.
When she runs into Matthew Blair, an old nemesis with an agenda of his own, she dares to hope for a new escape. But Matthew is a telepath, and Kaitlin’s past is full of dark secrets she never intended to reveal.
Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, which scars the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. In addition to being a writer, she’s a freelance editor, mom, and foster mom.
First off, I have to confess that the cover was the original reason I wanted to read this book. Tell me that twinkling tail isn’t luring you in.
The plot doesn’t seem that complex in the beginning. Three young friends set off to save their world from a creeping vine. Then, you enter the world of Cerulean with it’s flotilla forests, venture from the safety of the loft, into the midden, and down below the Fall, where creatures beyond imagining dwell, not all of them cuddly like our three young friends.
The story takes some dark turns down below, where the creeper vine slowly chokes the light and water from the arboreal world, threatening all that dwell there. I was a bit surprised how serious the danger was. It seemed like this would be a light, fun adventure, but there were some times when I actually dreaded what might be about to happen.
But it’s not all dark down below. The three adventurers come upon some wonderful creatures that help them on their quest. And you’ll get to see them!
The lush, colorful illustrations leap off the pages. You’ll feel like you are falling into the story and can actually see what’s occurring. Seeing Barra, Plicks, and Tory in living color is the next best thing to seeing them in a movie. Now, that would be something too.
You’ll be charmed by Barra, a fearless Listlespur bup. She reminds me somewhat of a tiger, even though they don’t live in trees and swing from vines, or come in a splendid shade of purple.
Plicks, a Kolalabat, reminds me of a cross between a bat and koala bear. Except he doesn’t seem to have their natural agility. He seems to be quite clumsy and gets all tangled up in himself. Kind of like the scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz.
And Tory is a Rugosic. Well, he reminds of a cross between a small boy and an ant or a beetle. He’s segmented, with a hard outer shell. He appeared to be the more serious, cautious one, most of the time. A good thing to be where they’re going.
Sunborn Rising is enchanting and seductive. I couldn’t get enough of this story and the magical creatures I became so fond of. If I’d read this when I was a young girl, I’m sure me and my friends would’ve been imaging our own adventures beyond the fall.
This is one of those books you’ll revisit many times. You’re copy getting dog-eared and worn with all of the readings. I loved it from the front cover to the rear flap. I’d recommend this book for all ages. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
“Sunborn Rising: Beneath the Fall is the best vivid fantasy YA book of the year.” –Entrada Publishing
On a distant world of forests floating on an ocean around a star,
a blight threatens to plunge all life into darkness.
But three friends seek the light.
Together, they will Fall and be lost.
And at the very Root of darkness, they will find themselves.
But will it be enough to help them find their way home?
The world of Cerulean.
Light and water flow from the ocean into the roots of the Great Trees, up through the boughs, and out over the lush canopy. But the once vibrant treescape has grown dim over generations of arboreal life, and the creatures of the forest have forgotten the light.
Barra, a young, willful Listlespur, finds her late father’s hidden journal, and reads about the old world and the mysterious plague her father believed destroyed it. He wrote that he warned the Elders. He urged them to take action. Those were his last words.
Together with her two best friends, Barra will explore every bark, wood, and leaf of the Great Forest to relight her world and complete her father’s story, even if she has to travel beneath the Fall.
I’m thrilled to be able to share a couple of the amazing illustrations from this exciting adventure. Enjoy!
Author Aaron Safronoff
Aaron Safronoff is author of the Discovery Award winning science fiction novel, Spire. Since his debut, he’s published a sequel, Fallen Spire, and a novella of literary fiction, Evening Breezes.
Safronoff’s diverse background includes the formal study of computer science, bio-chemistry, and culinary arts. However, most of his career has been in the videogame industry in quality, production, and design.
Today, Safronoff is the co-founder and Chief Storyteller of Neoglyphic Entertainment, and is busy writing his fifth novel, the second installment of the Sunborn Rising series.
1. Five winners will each receive a signed hardback copy of Sunborn Rising AND a free signed CD of the original musical soundtrack (open to USA only)
2. One winner will also win a 16’x20’ high quality (giclée) printed piece of the original art on canvas, signed by author Aaron Safronoff as well as Christopher Chamberlain the Art Director (valued at $100) – open to USA only
3. Ten winners will each get a gifted Kindle copy of Sunborn Rising with a $10 Amazon gift card AND a free digital download of the original musical soundtrack (open international)
Today, we’re celebrating the release of THE DEEPEST BLACK by USA Today Bestselling author Rainy Kaye. THE DEEPEST BLACK is 99 cents for a limited time! Check it out, then scroll all the way down to enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card!
Ember has a little problem…fairies want her dead.
Ember spends her Friday nights lurking in the bad parts of town, killing fairies. It’s either that, or become a victim to their flesh-eating hunger.
Then she meets Remy, a fae who, despite getting on her nerves, isn’t evil. He tells her that a shadow has been consuming his world, changing its inhabitants and letting destructive beasts into his city. He is searching for his brother who went missing during the catastrophe.
When a team of mercenaries come for Ember, she has little choice but to join Remy in his quest. Together, they decide to bait a trap. What they find reveals the destruction of the fae world means the end of the human world, too–and it’s Ember’s fault.
~~~~~
My Review
The blurb gives you a pretty good idea what you’re in for as far as the plot in this book. So, I’m going to share with you how it made me feel.
To begin, you meet Ember while she’s doing what she does best, killing Fae. She’s tough and smart. I like that about her. But talk about being an extreme adrenaline junkie. These Fae are bad to the bone and they’ve got wind of Ember. Not so easy to sneak up on them now, and they even begin to set traps for her.
When Remy entered the picture I feared it would become all about romance. Nope. More action, some snappy back and forth dialogue, and plenty of sarcasm. Gotta love that!
This is my first book by Rainy Kaye. Been wanting to try her books, but you know how that goes. So many books, so little…. I finally got to read one and sure got my money’s worth. Plenty of action, strong writing with no frills, and characters that are believable and likable. I’m huge on character driven stories, and these came to life for me.
For all of you fantasy/urban fantasy lovers, grab this one! It’s a kick ass read from beginning to fiery finish!
4 Stars
~~~~~
Rainy Kaye writes paranormal novels from her lair somewhere in Phoenix, Arizona. She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA, and her Summoned series was acquired by Bastei Lübbe. In 2014, she reached the USA Today Bestseller list. Today, she’s taking care of her small zoo of furry animals and trying to remember where she left her coffee.
Welcome to my tour stop for Origin by Corrie Brundage, the first book in The Eaters trilogy. This is an adult science fiction and the tour runs June 6-July 11 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for more information.
Origin
The Eaters #1
by Corrie Brundage
Genre: Adult Science Fiction
My Review
In the not too distant future. Dr. Mina Brice and Dr. Jack MacConell are the happy couple. She’s dedicated to saving animals from extinction in a world where their habitat is practically gone. Her ability to link her mind to animals is a treasured gift. He’s dedicated to saving humans. A chance to work together seems like the ultimate dream, until a tsunami washes it all away.
Mina awakens 500 years later to a different world. Origin is a city run by alien beings. After the initial shock of discovering she’s actually a clone, Mina begins again. She’s reunited with Jack and she’s going to be working with animals again. The future looks bright. Until…
Until something starts attacking her team. And soon, these beings start entering the city, attacking at will.
After reading the description for this book, I knew I had to read it. Clones, aliens, and dangerous hybrids in a futuristic world. What could be more exciting.
Mina quickly won me over. She took it in stride when she discovered she was a clone, grabbed her new life by the reins and charged forward. It took guts to do that and I couldn’t have been happier when she found Jack again. They are wonderful together.
The aliens. I’m not sure what to make of them. They seem to be good. They clone us to save our race, our world. Everyone has a job, a purpose. No one goes hungry or homeless. It’s almost too good to be true. I’m sure Mina thought that when she discovered she’d be working with animals again.
And then the bad things come. The author gives you these terrible creatures. I loved it. I know. I must seem morbid. Can’t help it. I’ve always loved stories with scary creatures in them. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of monsters the aliens came up with. And I wasn’t disappointed.
So much happens in just 260 pages. The author did a superb job of showing me the world she built, connecting me with her characters, and scaring the pants off me.
I’d recommend this book to all who are looking for an adventure with some science fiction and horror mixed in. It’ll grab you from the get go and sweep you along to an amazing ending. I loved how it ended, and how the author left a little window open so she can continue with her world and characters.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
So not your usual post-apocalyptic, clone vs. hybrid romance-adventure…
Brilliant, brave, determined, and just a little bit…distracted. Meet Dr. Mina Brice, dedicated savior of species, and scientist with a secret. On a planet ravaged by climate change, her ability to mind-meld with earth’s imperiled beasts has made her a valued member of a team dedicated to saving as many as they can from extinction. Unfortunately, Mina’s inability to connect with her fellow humans has kept most of them at arms length. Except for Jack—handsome, dashing-with-a-touch of goofy, totally distracting Jack. Dr. Jack MacConnell was never supposed to be part of Mina’s gameplan. But when thrown together on a crazy-dangerous mission, both fate and a deadly tsunami seem determined to propel them down the same fraught—and occasionally delicious—path. Perhaps forever?
But forever turns out to be a fluid commodity when both awaken 500 years into the future in a city called Origin. Presided over by aliens known as The Travelers, it is a world at once familiar and totally strange. And for Mina and Jack, it will become a battleground…against a hybrid race of predators loosed on the human population, against those whose dark side is so very carefully hidden, and even, as fate throws a heartwrenching twist their way, against…each other?
Corrie Brundage kicks off The Eaters trilogy with an intoxicating tale of pulse-pounding action for fans of urban fantasy and science fiction to devour and savor.
Corrie Brundage is a former model, opera singer, and personal trainer who, out of sheer boredom and personal relief from planetary insanity, completed five novels in the space of twelve months. She pumps iron, is a political junkie, and is a dedicated animal advocate.
Prizing is provided by the publisher, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.
Fran Lewis: Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters Degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge. In addition, she is the author of three children’s books and a fourth that has just been published on Alzheimer’s disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. The title of my new Alzheimer’s book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain? Fran is the author of 13 titles.
writes the nationally bestselling 
featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As 
, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling 
featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. In addition, she has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself. She absolutely adores Lake Tahoe, where GIRL ON THE RUN is set, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky.
