Posts Tagged ‘series’

My Reviews and Two Giveaways ~ As The World Dies, Untold Tales by Rhiannon Frater ~ Lots of Zombieness

Posted: October 22, 2013 in Adult Fiction, apocalypse, Blog Tour, giveaways, horror, reviews, Zombies
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I love it when the author writes these short back stories. You get to see behind the scenes and find out about secondary characters that stuck with you.

In my case I am meeting these characters for the first time. I began reading the As The World Dies Series after I read these.

I have to hand it to Rhiannon Frater. She got me addicted to her world and I didn’t just want to read more, I had to! These stories are like Lays potato chips. You can’t read just one.

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As the World Dies: Untold Tales by Rhiannon Frater
Genres: Adult, Horror, Zombies
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Synopsis Volume 1:

THE FIRST DAYS: AS THE WORLD DIES introduced Jenni and Katie and their harrowing journey to the makeshift fort in the Texas Hill Country. But theirs is not the only tale to be told. In the first volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
Deep in the Texas Hill Country, a man and his little dog takes refuge in a bed and breakfast located in the hills above a doomed town where an infested rescue center might unleash the hungry undead…
On a deserted highway slicing through the desolation of West Texas, a woman struggles to survive as she faces the horrifying aftermath of the rise of the zombies…
And finally, discover what happens on the first day to Katie’s beloved wife, Lydia, as the world dies…

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My Review

For those of you who haven’t read the As The World Dies Trilogy or even volume one, The First Days, never fear. These three tales only tell us a small part of what is occurring  in The First Days and mainly focuses on a few characters, spotlighting them and giving them their due.

The Broken Heart (Lydia’s Story)

Lydia, Katie’s wife, is already dead in the beginning of the series, but even in death she steals the hearts of fans. This is her story.

It’s a perfect dawn and Lydia is enjoying her morning tea, letting Katie sleep in. Screams from across the lake interrupt the quiet, giving her the willies. But as they don’t continue she puts it from her mind. She doesn’t know it yet, but this will be the last normal morning they share.

This is in the beginning, before the world dies and zombies are everywhere.

The companionship and closeness of these two really made me smile. I knew the outcome wasn’t going to be rosy, but I enjoyed getting to know Katie and Lydia and was so wrapped up in their story I forgot for a while that this was going to end badly. Such is the excellent writing of Rhiannon Frater. My first taste of it and craving more.

Dangerous Highways (Monica’s Story)

This short story takes place between The First Days and Fighting To Survive.

Monica is alone now. She manages to escape El Paso thanks to her dead boyfriends pistol and trusty monster truck. She keeps an eye on the undead kids in the station wagon as she siphons gas to put in her tank.

She’s leaving the memory of his death behind her, like a dust plume behind the truck. Heading to her home town of Ashley Oaks, Texas and her cousin Juan.

She doesn’t know if the town is overrun or even still standing but that’s her plan. She knows how to kill the zombies thanks to all of the movies she’s watched. But that doesn’t make it any easier. It’s a whole other ball game when you come face to face with the unbelievable in real life.

And zombies aren’t the only thing she has to fear. As a woman traveling alone, Monica knows full well the dangers of encountering strangers.

I really like Monica. She’s rough and tough, takes care of business, and makes hard decisions with no hesitation. I could only hope to be half as tough as her.

The Vacation of the Undead (Eric’s Story)

This a quite a bit longer than the first two tales.

Eric is staying at a bed and breakfast with his supermodel girlfriend, Brandy, and his best friend, Pepe, a Jack Russell Terrier.

Eric is wondering if he’s really in love with Brandy, or in love with the idea of her. She’s excellent eye candy on his arm, but she’s not really a nice person. Her true colors come out when the apocalypse begins.

Eric may come across as a bit of a nerd, but he’s smart and has a big heart. He’s also a dog lover and Pepe will steal your heart. Whenever a pet is introduced into a story, it becomes more real to me. It’s strange that we become so upset if harm comes to an animal, and take it in stride sometimes when it’s a human. I guess it’s their innocence and trust that does it.

I would like stories with animals in them to start with a disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the writing of this story. I’m not spoiling it when I say Pepe’s tail is still wagging, as he appears in The First Days and Fighting To Survive.

Rhiannon’s characters are brought to life and fleshed out in these three untold tales and reading these in no way spoiled it for me as I haven’t read the series YET.

I got to know them, like or dislike them, fear for them and cheer for them. Now that I’ve experienced the author’s writing, been sucked into her world, I have to know more. Have to know everything.

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5 STARS

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Synopsis Volume 2:
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THE FIRST DAYS: AS THE WORLD DIES introduced Jenni and Katie and their harrowing journey to the makeshift fort in the Texas Hill Country. FIGHTING TO SURVIVE: AS THE WORLD DIES continued their story as the two women joined the members of the makeshift fort in Ashley Oaks in the fight for survival against not only zombies, but the evil designs of bandits.
But theirs is not the only tale to be told.
In the second volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
In a nearby town Ken and Lenore have started their regular routine at Ken’s Beauty Salon. A terrible accident brings the undead plague to their front door and soon the best friends are scrambling to escape their overrun town…
Katarina is just finishing her shift at a roadside café when a badly injured man stumbles through the front door. She quickly realizes that to survive she must learn to kill…
And finally, a trapped family must face the fearsome truth that sometimes zombies are not the worst monster they have to fear as the world dies…
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My Review
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The characters in these three untold tales are all in Siege, the third book in the As The World Dies Series. These are their stories.
Revelation (Katarina’s Story)
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Katarina has been in this series from the beginning. This is her story about her first day.
Her story isn’t pretty. The only reason she was even conceived was to grow up and take care of her parents. Her father’s dead now and she’s earning money waitressing at a truck stop in Ashley Oaks, Texas to take care of her sick mother. She doesn’t mind the job though. She’s earning her own money and it gets out of the house.
Dealing with that jerk, Randall, and his wandering hands becomes nothing when the bloodied man stumbles into the cafe, changing her life forever.
Even though Katarina let her mother dominate her, she never appeared weak to me. I felt she was just waiting for something, for an opportunity to come her way, and then she’d discover herself and really shine.
She did discover something. She can kill when she has to, and she’s good at it.
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A Terrible Moment (The Unknown Story)
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All of the stories in The Untold Tales have dark moments. This is darker than most and introduces you to peripheral characters. Not all of them make it and are their own worst enemies.
Debbie is a jealous bitter woman, beaten down by it all. She’s certain her husband is having an affair with his secretary and her jealousy consumes her.
It festers as they are all trapped in the warehouse together. She’s so focused on her thoughts of revenge, she doesn’t even care about her children.
This was an uncomfortable story. I can’t imagined being so self involved as to neglect my children, putting them in danger, and not caring. I was mortified at what she did.
Debbie would be the first one to throw out of the boat if adrift in the sea.
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Friendship in the Time of Zombies (Ken and Lenore’s Story)
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Lenore has no way of knowing that today will changer her life forever. She drags herself out of bed and wanders into the kitchen. Her grandmother has cooked breakfast and, as usual, she’s cooked enough to feed an army. Grabbing a quick bite, she heads off to work at Ken’s Diva Beauty Shop.
Ken may be her boss, but they are best friends and thick as thieves.
I just loved these two. Lenore is a moody one but Ken is bubbly, like champagne.
A small Texas town might not seem like the best place to flaunt his gayness, but Ken could charm the devil and I loved how he needed Lenore as much as she needed him. He was the comic relief for me and I could clearly see him cringing and panicking.
Lenore was something else. She not only had to figure out how to get them both out of there alive, she also had to keep bolstering Ken up, pushing him to man up.
I couldn’t get enough of these two and look forward to encountering them again.
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5 STARS
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Synopsis Volume 3:
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In the third volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.
Returning to Texas after celebrating his divorce in Vegas, Rune, a biker cursed with the ability to see ghosts, discovers that the world is being taken over by the hungry undead. Soon he realizes he will have to depend on all his abilities to survive not only the ravenous zombies, but the dangerous men lurking on the back roads of Texas.
Senator Paige Brightman abandoned the Madison Mall and its inhabitants to the hungry hordes, but her journey did not end there. Her attempt to reach the president’s safe haven called Central has far reaching ramifications for her and the people she abandoned.
The final in the three stories reveals the aftermath of the great battle in SIEGE as one woman faces the ultimate decision whether to live or die in a world of the undead.
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My Review
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All of the characters in these Untold Tales appear in Siege, the third and final book in the series.
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The Backroads of Zombie Hell (Rune’s Story)
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Now Rune won me over right from the beginning. He brings a spiritual aspect to the story. What happens to the souls of the dead once they become zombies?
He’s a loner until a ghost tells him it’s time to get moving. There’s somewhere he needs to be.
This is where a lot of the characters bump into each other from other Untold Tales.
Rune may look and act like your typical biker. He’s got a mean streak and you don’t want to mess with him.  But he’s also intuitive, guided by spirits, and a really decent guy. It would be good to have him on your side.
The opening scene was deep. The ghost waking him from his drunken stupor is none other than his daughter. I was almost in tears at this sad, gentle moment. I could see how it would be easy to hide away in the hills, isolating oneself from people and drowning your sorrows in booze. Rune lost everyone. But when somethings needs doing, he’s your man.
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The Wickedest Woman in Texas (Paige’s Story)
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It seems there’s always someone who has their own agenda. Someone you just want to b#!ch slap.
In walks Senator Paige Brightman, wicked witch of the apocalypse.
Some people have blinders on and can’t seem to grasp that the world is different, their lives are forever changed, and they try to go about business as usual.
Paige is one of those people. She still thinks her position matters, that what she thinks matters.
Paige needs to get with the program. Her life isn’t any more important than another’s, and her flippant view of collateral damage just may leave her all alone.
I enjoyed having someone to despise, some one to offer up to the zombies. The author does an excellent job of making me feel just that.
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Are the Dead Walking The Earth (Emma’s Story)
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Emma never made it into the As The World Dies series. You’ll only read her story here.
Emma’s story goes beyond the end of the series and shows the aftermath. She shows this to you while telling the story to her two young children.
I think this one hit me the hardest. Rhiannon expertly showed me some disturbing, heart wrenching scenes. I almost wish I could have shut my eyes at times, they were so vivid.
I agree, Emma’s story needed to be told. This may be labeled a zombie apocalypse series, but it’s really a story about people. Everyday people dealing without the end of their worlds, and the beginning of hell on Earth.
I was reduced to tears in the end. It hurt when I cried. I can only imagine how Emma felt.
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5 STARS
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At first I was worried it might not be a good idea to read these untold tales before I read the full novels.
I’m glad I did. Now, when I read the series, which I’m starting now, I’ll recognize these characters, know their back stories, and connect with them instantly.
Reading these first did not spoil anything for me. If anything, it made me want to read this series even more.
If you’re as big a fan of The Walking Dead television series, as I am, you’ll love these Untold Tales.
Thanks to the show ,I immersed myself in this collection. I felt, saw, heard, and, not recommended, smelled everything. It was like each scene played out in my mind. I even had faces for some of the characters.
The author’s choice of titles for each chapter were fun. It gave me an inkling of what I was in for and some of them brought forth an impish grin.
What I enjoyed most about these tales was how each novella had a connection to the others in it. Characters from one tale brush up against each other in other tales, showing different views of the same scenes. I’ve never run into that before and every time a character from one story appeared in another, I was glad to see them.
As I can’t wait to see each new episode of The Walking Dead, I also can’t wait to read more of the As The World Dies Series. I just wish it didn’t have to end!
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As each collection got 5 STARS from me, it would be great if I could give the complete collection 15 STARS. As it doesn’t work that way, I give them an overall rating of 5 STARS. Take a bow Rhiannon. Your Untold Tales rock!
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Purchase Links
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Rhiannon Frater
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Rhiannon
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Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) , as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog),and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dying her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.
You can find her online at:
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

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Two giveaways!

International Giveaway

I have the complete Untold Tales Series, #1 thru 3 (ebooks) to give away.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question:

“What’s your preferred weapon of choice for killing zombies?”

And

Grand prize giveaway
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Prizes: A bookmark, Untold Tales Volume 1-3 in paperback, and an audiobook of Volume 3
Open to US/Can
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Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.
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Xpresso Book Tours
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways, click on the mean greenie below.

Careful though. He’s been known to bite!

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Giveaway and Spotlight on Underground,The Secrets Series: Book Two by T. R. Graves

Posted: October 17, 2013 in Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, giveaways
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It’s a pleasure to spotlight another book by T.R. Graves.

Underground is the second book in The Secrets Series.

I would call this a contemporary romance with some suspense and thrills mixed in.

Keep reading to learn more about this exciting series.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Underground Book Description:

Betrayal and loss have changed Emily Riddle in ways she never thought possible. With a death wish guiding her every move, she’s willing to compromise her morals, ethics, and instincts to bring to justice the men who’ve broken her heart… even if that means living a life underground, being someone she’s not, and pretending to respect the very men she’s positioning herself to take down.

As soon as she teams up with the district attorney, Tope Bryson, and agrees to be a member of his covert operation, she returns to the commune and convinces the patriarchal leaders she is the most qualified person to take on roles traditionally assigned to men. Desperate and without options, Owen, the commune’s leader and Emily’s father, agrees to a temporary change.

Emily takes full advantage of the opportunity and quickly proves to him, much to her brothers’ dismay, that he can’t live without having her in those critical roles and that she may be the best candidate for his next in command.

She and Tope quickly realize that the men of the commune consider a woman who threatens the good ol’ boy system that’s been in place for decades public enemy number one. Determined to protect Emily from her brothers, Tope plants an undercover officer and charismatic law student, Noah Babineaux, in the commune. Neither Tope nor Emily is prepared for the attention Noah pays her.

With a nothing-else-matters attitude, Emily focuses on her underground mission and pushes down her hate, anger, grief, and… blossoming feelings until they threaten to explode from the inside and tear her apart. It’s a race against the clock to get the evidence necessary—and ultimately, the retaliation Emily craves—before a life of submissive brutality, or sibling jealousy, kills her.

 

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    Author’s take on the leading lady:   Emily Ador Riddle

Emily is described as tall and naturally beautiful. Her puppy dog eyes are so sad that everyone who meets her feels the sorrow that’s such a part of her that it might well be a second skin. Unfortunately, the things Emily’s seen prevent her from being the happy-go-lucky girl she would be if she weren’t a slave to the men of the commune and she hadn’t been made to witness atrocities that have changed her life forever. Like any good hero, Emily uses the injustices she’s witnessed and the ones she suspects are occurring to strengthen her resolve. She insists on a better life… not just for herself but also for the other women of the commune, and she takes matters into her own hands to get what she wants.

Emily’s life is so miserable, her world is so horrific, and her losses are so great that readers will not be able to keep themselves from pulling for her and hoping and praying that the men of the commune get their due. Even more than revenge, the readers will want to see Emily get her well-deserved happily ever.

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About the Author

 T.R. Graves

The author of Warrior, Secret, and Still Standing series—currently available—and Moral Dilemma and Underwater series—to be released in 2013/2014.

She lives in Texas with her husband, their nineteen-year-old daughter, and nine-year-old son. Besides being blessed with a supportive family, she counts her career as an administrator and registered nurse in not-for-profit hospitals among her most fulfilling accomplishments.

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Author Social Media Links:

Blog – http://thewarriorseries.blogspot.com/

Facebook Fan Page – https://www.facebook.com/TRGraves.Author

Twitter

Goodreads

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Other books in this series.

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Prizes:

  • Nook HD Tablet Giveaway with  Grave Bound (Secrets, #1), Underground (Secrets, #2), Left (Still Standing, #1), Warriors of the Cross (Warrior, #1), Guardians of the Cross (Warrior, #2), Enemies of the Cross (Warrior, #3), AND Enemies Nook Hidden Object Game App (US)
  • and
  • (5) eBooks of Grave Bound and  Underground – Smashwords Coupon (INT)

Click on the rafflecopter image below to enter.

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To follow the tour and see reviews, guest posts, and excerpts, click here or the tour button below.

AToMRTours New

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways, click on the mean greenie below.

Careful though. He’s been known to bite!

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From Terah Edun’s Courtlight Series ~ Sworn To Conflict ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway.

Posted: October 16, 2013 in Cover Reveal, Fantasy, giveaways, Romance, YA
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Cover Reveal: Sworn To Conflict by Terah Edun + #Giveaway (International)

On Sale on Amazon, iTunes & Barnes & Noble December 6, 2013

                       

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Book Description:

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.

 

Connect with Terah: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Series Order Links:

Sworn To Raise (Book One)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C9VC7AY/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016661742
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sworn-to-raise/id642043648?ls=1

Sworn To Transfer (Book Two)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8PIH0W
www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940148397472

 

International Giveaway!

Terah is giving away 1 signed copy of Sworn To Transfer, 1 eARC of Sworn To Conflict, and 1 ebook of Sworn To Raise or Sworn To Transfer.

There are 3 total winners!

CLICK HERE to enter!

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Good Luck!

 

Winner~ Jump Zone: Cleo Falls by Wylie Snow

Posted: October 4, 2013 in giveaways, Winners!
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This is my favorite part!

It’s time to announce the winner of Jump Zone: Cleo Falls by Wylie Snow.

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The winner is:

Ann V.

Congratulations!

Winner has been notified.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

I do love reading them and hope you continue to visit fuonlyknew!

Thanks so much to Wylie Snow for her wonderful book and to Expresso Book Tours for letting me host the giveaway.

*****For all of my giveaways go here*****

I’d love to keep telling ya’ll about some really great books.

Subscribe by email and lets talk!

BBT Giveaway ~ The Chronicles of Orlando ~ City of the Un-dead and The Un-dead Circus by M.M. Shelley

Posted: October 1, 2013 in Blog Tour, Freebies!, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
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The Chronicles of Orlando Banner 450 x 169

Can you feel it? Fall is here and that means Halloween is coming!

What better way to get in the mood than with some zombies.

I have four stories for you. A fun, YA series about one of my favorite undead, zombies!

Check out The Chronicles of Orlando.

Download the first book for FREE.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

~~~~~~

 

The Un-Dead Circus

The Chronicles of Orlando

Book Four

M.M. Shelley

 

A circus has arrived and it brought the Un-dead with it.

Since Orlando moved to Los Angeles he had been attacked by zombies, zombie bulls, ghost and now a band of immortals want him dead.
Betrayed by someone close and running low on resources Orlando has only one option– to join the enemy he had been fighting as he faces his biggest challenges– facing the mysteries of the Un-Dead Circus and keeping his friends alive.

Smashwords  Amazon

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City of the Un-Dead

The Chronicles of Orlando

Book Three

M.M. Shelley

What would you risk for immortality?

The Day of the Dead is celebrated once a year, a day when those who have died are remembered. This year the dead are returning and they are returning as an army to seek vengeance against Orlando.

Smashwords  Amazon

 

 fun zombies photo: Zombies have fun! ffdsafsafafdsaf.jpg

 

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Dead Relatives

The Chronicles of Orlando

Book Two

M.M. Shelley

After discovering what was hidden in Mexico and having to sneak back across the border Orlando returns to Los Angeles, but is unable to return to his home.

Instead of hunting Zombies he is now hunted.

Betrayed by those he thought he could trust, Orlando must keep the truth of what he knows to himself.

That is until dead relatives return with dire warnings.

 

Amazon

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The Zombie Story

The Chronicles of Orlando

Book One

M.M. Shelley

Unfolding on the streets of Los Angeles is a new breed of monster…
Orlando, fresh from the mid west, arrives at his new high school on his Harley Davidson.
All he wants is to make it through the day, and begin his training as a Zombie Hunter.

But someone has different plans for him.

Currently free for your Kindle

About M.M. Shelley

Image of M. M. Shelley

M.M. Shelley is a storyteller, word smith and dreamer. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the magic which is often overlooked in every day life. M.M. Shelley is a native of southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much inspiration.

Visit M.M. Shelley:

www.mmshelley.com

http://mmshelley.blogspot.com

Twitter   Facebook

Goodreads

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Enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

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Giveaway Blitz for Skye Callahan’s Upcoming Release of Fractured Legacy

Posted: September 25, 2013 in Blitz, Excerpt, giveaways, New Release, urban fantasy
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Fractured Legacy promises to be a funny but deadly story.

Imagine teaming up with your sister to handle a paranormal investigation.

If these two girls are anything like me and my sisters, this is gonna be good!

I have a sneak peek inside this upcoming release and a chance for you to win a copy!

Read on!

FracturedLegacy

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Fractured Legacy by Skye Callahan (Darkness Bound #1)
Publication date: October 22nd, 2013
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Synopsis:
Kaylyn Anderson’s fascination with abandoned places and dark creatures kindled her work as a paranormal investigator. But when dreams begin to distort reality, she questions what is real and pulls away from everyone she trusts. The opportunity to investigate the Teague Hotel–a long-abandoned landmark that has always piqued her curiosity–provides a chance to redeem herself. Unraveling the hotel’s secrets won’t be easy, but Kaylyn soon finds herself the target of a dark entity that has been trapped in the building for decades.
If Kaylyn stands any hope of defeating the spirit, she’ll have to accept that her fears are real and convince fellow investigators that she hasn’t lost her mind.

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FracturedLegacy banner

A sneak peek!

Kaylyn pulled the covers over her head as if they could block out the ruckus threatening her sleep. After another series of knocks on the front door, she was left in silence again. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

She held her breath.

Sure enough, a floorboard creaked, then her sister’s voice rang out. “Come on Kay. You can’t avoid me when I have a key. We’re going to be late.”

“Go away, Cole. I’m sick.”

“Bull shit. If anything you’re hung over.”

“I haven’t had a drink in weeks.” Although at the moment, she thought, I’d kill for one…or several. “We’ve worked for Carlisle for more than three years, he won’t—”

“We have a meeting. Mr. Edwards. Historical Society. Wooden box engraved with occult symbols. Ring a bell?”

Oh yeah. Kaylyn groaned as she flipped the covers off her head. Her younger sister stood over the side table, leaning against the inside of the doorway. A crisp pink collar peeked out from the top of her dark grey pea coat, paired with matching grey slacks.

Always overdressed, Kaylyn thought, especially for a job that often had them crawling in dank and dusty places. She pulled herself up, balancing precariously on the edge of the bed before forcing her body to move toward the closet.

“If you don’t hurry up, the cappuccinos will get cold.”

“You know I prefer it that way.” Kaylyn said as she pulled some moderately business-casual clothes out of the clean clothes pile and headed into the bathroom.

“Weirdo,” Cole called after her.

Kaylyn was thankful for the brief moment of silence as she pulled on a pair of black jeans and a blue long-sleeved V-neck. She smoothed out the wrinkles in the shirt then focused on her matted hair, sweeping it up into a low ponytail.

“Come on, sis, we’re supposed to be there at 9:30,” Cole yelled, smacking the bathroom door.

Three days until the weekend, she promised her reflection. Then nothing is stopping me from sleeping as long as I want.

Nothing except the dreams.

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Author Skye Callahan

Fractured Legacy AuthorPhoto

Skye Callahan was born and raised in Ohio and has seen enough unbelievable stuff to feed a lifetime of paranormal stories. When not writing or working at the dayjob she hangs out with her ethnomusicologist husband and pet ferrets, reads, and takes long walks through the cemetery.

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I have one ebook copy of Fractured Legacy to give away.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question,

“What supernatural or paranormal being scares you the most?”

Giveaway ends October 4th.

And you can enter the Goodreads Giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback proof HERE.

Ends October 22nd.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

Giveaway Blitz for Jump Zone : Cleo Falls by Wylie Snow

Posted: September 9, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Interview
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Jump in and enjoy the water!

I have a fun post for you today.

Learn all about JUMP ZONE : Cleo Falls and the author Wylie Snow.

I have an interview and excerpt to share with you.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaways!

That’s right. I have two giveaways for this exciting new series!

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JUMP ZONE: CLEO FALLS

By Wylie Snow

JumpZone

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Jump Zone: Cleo Falls by Wylie Snow (Jump Zone #1 )
Publication date: September 9th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult
Synopsis
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All Cleo wants, all she’s ever wanted, is the acceptance of her tribe and the love of her family… and she almost dies trying to earn it. But the man who saved her, who found beauty in her flaws and loved her without condition, has cruelly betrayed her, and she’s dying all over again.
Was it all lies? His words, his promises, his kisses? Lost in unfamiliar territory, Cleo will fight the forces that conspire to destroy her homeland, even if she has to do it alone.
Libra longs for freedom—from prison, from pretense, and from his birthright… but he’s caught in a political game where only greed and power can win, and Cleo Rush is the pawn. How much is he willing to sacrifice for liberty? His morals, his principles, the woman he loves? No matter which path he chooses, people will die, their blood on his hands. And it could be hers.
To save themselves and their world, Cleo and Libra must overcome the double tragedy that binds their families in hatred. Together, they might live. Apart, Cleo will fall.
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Get to know more about  Wylie Snow and Jump Zone in this fun interview!
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1)     What’s the scoop on the romance? Why can’t the hero and heroine get on with their sweet loving?

You’d think, since he saved her life, that Cleo would instantly fall into Libra’s arms in a heap of grateful, quivering lady-love. The physical chemistry is undeniable, but she doesn’t trust the urbanite as far as she could spit.

Cleo is a ‘triber’ from the Taiga forest and Libra hails from the city of Gomeda. They have some serious misconceptions to overcome and it doesn’t help that they’re both lying through their teeth about, well,… everything.

2)     What the heck is a Taiga?

Also known as a boreal forest, the Taiga (pronounced ty-guh) is the world’s largest land biome and comprises 29% of the world’s forest. It circles the globe, with the largest bits located in Russia and Canada. The winters are long, cold and harsh. In Jump Zone, the Taiga is divided into regional tribes named for common animals like wolverine, beaver, bear, wolf, moose, etc…

Survivalists by nature, the tribers are protective of their lands, and their resources. Especially their energy source. Shhh… spoilers!

3)     What makes Jump Zone’s hero sexy?

Libra is the Robin Hood of Gomeda. Born into a wealthy, powerful family, he eschews his high-born status and fights for the marginalized citizens living in the slums of Gomeda. His idealism gets him a sentence of hard labor in the penal colony but it also gives him the hardened edge he needs to survive the coming turmoil.

4)     Fave line?

“For the record, I’ve never killed another human being. Not even a Banger.” Cleo Rush says this when defending her reputation against Libra’s assumptions that she’s some kind of savage. Second fave is, “You’ve never had bacon? You poor, deprived soul.”  Because… obviously!

5)     Where did you get the idea for your story? 

I had an idea for a post-apocalyptic Romeo and Juliet type of story but the world didn’t begin building in my head until a family vacation took us on a drive through Northern Ontario. The untamed beauty of the landscape literally took my breath away. Miles and miles of uninhabited land, a stunning palette of greens and dark blues, harsh rocky outcrops. I thought, “What if I had to survive out here…”

6)     Is this a stand-alone or part of a series?

Cleo Falls is book one of the Jump Zone trilogy. Libra Rising is scheduled to release in December 2013, followed by the series conclusion in the spring of 2014.

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Enjoy this peek inside Jump Zone!

Taiga Forest

I’d always presumed the moments before death would be fuzzy and warm.

They’re not. Death is painful. And cold.

Death is terrifying.

For me, there are no sepia vignettes of my childhood, no sign of my mother’s smiling face to usher me into a blissful afterlife, open armed. There’s nothing to distract me from the fright that slams me every time my mouth fills, every time my head slips under.

No matter how hard I kick or thrash, the current is merciless, dragging me downriver, closer to the edge, closer to the—

I can’t even think the word.

I claw for the surface, flailing desperately for something to grab onto. But there’s nothing. Not a rock, not a log, not even a stray root. Even if by some miracle I don’t drown, there is nothing to save me from the fall.

Seventy feet, straight down.

And the rocks at the bottom… I’ll be smashed.

My chest burns so bad, I want to scream from it. Can’t, don’t dare. I bite down on the inside of my lips to seal them from another mouthful of icy water and taste the copper of my blood. I will my legs to get me to the surface for another breath, but I’m tumbling through the blackness, not sure which way is up.

The rapids twist and toss me, pull me fast and hard as if they’re doing me a favor in getting me to the edge quickly. It’ll be over soon. Yet every agonizing second feels never-ending.

The more my muscles ache from cold, the heavier my limbs become, the slower time goes. Death is a cruel bitch.

My lungs are on fire. And no matter that my eyeballs feel like they’ve been dunked in acid, panic won’t let me close them.

There’s a legend amongst my people of a Ghost Warrior, a survivalist from Old Canada who lost his life in the Polar Wars. They say he guides folks home in their time of need, gives them a second chance. Where is this phantom rescuer for me? Am I not worthy?

I already know the answer…

The pressure in my chest begins to crack me open. I acknowledge my fate, look it in the eye, welcome it. The thought frees me. The simple act of mental acquiescence releases my fear, replaces it with regret. And anger. I’ll never get a chance to make amends to my tribe, to Jaegar or my father, never feel the love I’ve tried so hard, so damned hard, to earn.

Anger fuels my strength, gives me a final burst of energy. My anaesthetized legs push off of something solid. My head breaches the surface.

I scream in Death’s face.

Then water fills me, douses my fire. I am numb, unable to feel my extremities, unable to feel anything. Like a piece of flotsam, the current tosses me over the precipice toward the jagged rocks below. My world goes dark.

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Purchase Links
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AUTHOR BIO
Almost every author says they wanted to write from a very early age. Not me. I wanted to be a detective like Nancy Drew, or a wildlife expert like Jim Fowler or an archaeologist like Indiana Jones. Or have my own island resort and make fantasies come true!
I didn’t do too badly with any of those… I married a detective, worked in a zoo, explored ship wrecks instead of old ruins, and spent 18 glorious years living on a sunny island.
As for those fantasies… I also write erotic romance as Wylie Kinson. Happy reading!
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Author Links:

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Two Giveaways!

My giveaway:

I have one ebook copy of Jump Zone: Cleo Falls to give away (International)!

To enter, please leave your email address along with a comment.

Something about the book or the interview would be wonderful!

This giveaway ends September 30th.

AND

For the rafflecopter giveaway:

Two Winners. A $25 Amazon Gift Card for each.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways go HERE.

Chupacabra Revealed! Upcoming Release of Curse of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler

Posted: August 27, 2013 in Cover Reveal, horror, New Release, thriller
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Exciting news for all Chupacabra fans!

Michael Hebler has more of his Chupacabra Series for us.

Set in the old west and brimming with atmosphere and horror, I can’t wait to tell you all about it in my review. But you’ll have to wait until September 10th for that!

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SECOND CHUPACABRA NOVEL IS A ‘CURSE’

Press Release

Newport Beach, CA

– On September 10, 2013 fiction writer Michael Hebler, releases book two of the Chupacabra Series, “Curse of the Chupacabra,” the continuing story which follows the survivors of the Dillmore Valley massacre as they journey northwest for a fresh start, despite the looming terror that awaits around every turn.

Curse of the Chupacabra cover

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Synopsis:

They never thought their luck would be their curse. In the months following the onslaught, the extraordinary survivors continue to know no peace, as they are haunted by signs that the relentless creature remains on their trail. However, this fight will be better matched, now that they’ve discovered an advantage that will help protect them from the monster’s bloodthirsty lust. But once faced with the decision to kill the beast, the choice will not come lightly since it is still unclear which loved one the chupacabra possesses.

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Curse of the Chupacabra” stretches beyond the claustrophobic world of volume one’s single town setting as the creature’s victims inadvertently lure the beast across the western states; not only becoming a road story soaked with blood and treachery, but a powerful chronicle of passage that exposes the consequences of not following the path of one’s own heart. “Curse of the Chupacabra” is a relentless feast of tragedy that examines the dangers awaiting those who might be kin to the most infamous abomination to walk this earth.

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Since the release of book one, “

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My 5 star Review

Night of the Chupacabra,” in October 2012, reports and news of sightings of everyone’s favorite cryptozoological creature, el chupacabra, have continued to saturate the media, and “Curse of the Chupacabra” not only advances a storyline, but continues to feed a compulsive curiosity of the Latin-American sensation that has won the world over. “Regardless of the success of the first book, I’ve always had multiple stories planned,” states Hebler. “I’ve never had so many favorite characters in one story. I really love them; their relationships and dramas, the mythology behind the creature, as well as the action and horror. And there’s still many more exciting surprises to come throughout the six book series.”

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Author Hebler’s third Chupacabra Series title,

“Legend of the Chupacabra”, is currently being prepared for a 2014 release while he is hard at work writing book four.

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Curse of the Chupacabra” is available in print and all eBook formats. More information can be found at Michael Hebler’s official author page, www.michaelhebler.com. SECOND CHUPACABRA NOVEL IS A ‘CURSE’

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Michael is currently pushing through to release an audiobook version of “Night of the Chupacabra” by October 18 (the one year anniversary date of the novel’s release), and he’ll be the one reading it.  Of course, in doing that, the audiobook for Curse wouldn’t be too far behind.  Maybe March?

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DETAILS

Curse of the Chupacabra cover

Author: Michael Hebler

Style: Series

Theme: Dark Thriller / Horror / Western

Length: 304 pages (print) / 70,000 words

Binding: Perfect bound & digital (.mobi, .epub, .pdf )

Retail: $16.95 (print) / $4.99 (e-book)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Hebler recently became an author alongside building a career in feature film publicity, but his passion to create stories with suspense, laughter, and heart is not his only love. Hebler also volunteers his time weekly for charities in his local area including Meals on Wheels, and abets for animal rights by aiding in the CSNR (capture/spay/neuter/release) program.

To date, Hebler’s publications include, ”

Night of the Chupacabra,” (Chupacabra Series #1), and his first publication, “The Night After Christmas,” a holiday picture book for believers of any age. Hebler also authored the micro story, “Hunt for the Chupacabra,” preceding the events of book one.

Hebler has remarkably little down time, but when he does, you might be able to find him rambling on his blog “My Little Obsessions.”

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CONTACT DETAILS

Name: Michael Hebler

Email: info@michaelhebler.com

Website: www.michaelhebler.com

Twitter: mhebler

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chupacabra-Novel-Series/189413924437649?fref=ts

Blog: http://michaelsobsessions.blogspot.com

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So Top Secret I can only……Dragonfly

Posted: August 26, 2013 in Cover Reveal, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Tags: , ,
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Author Charles Cornell has been working on a Top Secret assignment.

So closely guarded I can only “show you” this.

And even this isn’t the complete picture.

I swore an oath to show and tell no more!

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DragonFly is a sci-fi/fantasy story, with elements of steampunk, a new genre for Charles.

There will be many spinoffs, like short stories & novellas as well as a full length sequel.

I am one of the very lucky few who has got a copy of this new book, for my eyes only!

Since this is Top Secret, all I can say is Woo Hoo!

The story is about???with some fantastic????that reminds me of??? and???

Stay tuned for further developments!

Head over to Sherry’s post at Fundimental.

I’m curious to see what she has to reveal.

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More from Charles Cornell

Have you heard of Tiger Paw?

Let me show you!

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My 5 Star Review

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj1cu6qZdH8?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

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Giveaway and Guest Post by Angelina Rose ~ The Eyes of Love

Posted: August 21, 2013 in Blog Tour, giveaways, Guest Post, reviews
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I have all kinds of goodies for my stop on the tour for The Eyes of Love by Angelina Rose!

I have a sneak peek inside and Angelina is a guest today, giving us some writing tips. I also have my review of The Eyes of Love.

And a giveaway!!

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THE EYES OF LOVE

By

Angelina Rose

BLURB:  

 

After a tragic loss five years ago, Sally Overby becomes an Attorney in Atlanta. She convinces herself that all she’ll ever need again is her young son, David, and her life as an attorney. Until one day, Colin Dean barges back into her life and promptly blows her safe world apart, driving her crazy as only a guy she’d had a “school girl crush” on can.

Sally is wary to love deeply. Only, with every loving look Colin gives her plus every sweet kiss, as the attraction between them sparks, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the one she should be with. And although Colin didn’t realize his life was going to change so quickly, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether. The one for Sally’s heart.

Will Colin be able to convince her that’s it safe to love him… and that forever isn’t really out of reach?

The Eyes of Love is a novella… so you can enjoy it in just one day!

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Please welcome Angelina Rose!

Writing tips

Two Important Writing Tips: Pull Readers In and Write What You Know

Of course, writing is a highly personal craft and everyone does it differently, but these two tips are probably the most common, so let’s spend a little time discussing the best way to implement them.

How many times have you picked up a book and started it, only to put it down within the first few minutes? You really don’t want the book in question to be yours do you? You know your story is good, but if it begins with something along the lines of, “Ellie sighed and got out of bed. She’d had a full night’s sleep but she was still so tired. As she got dressed she thought of everything she had to do that day. Cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping…” Guess what? Ellie isn’t the only one who’s tired. I’m practically asleep just from the first few sentences! Punch up the beginning by adding dialog or some form of action to pull the reader in. For example: “I know, I know,” Ellie muttered as she slapped the snooze button. “I’m getting there.” Her dog Jasper looked at her from the foot of the bed with concerned eyes and she sighed. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s not your fault 8 hours doesn’t seem to be enough anymore.” See the difference? It’s a little easier to connect with her as a character when you’re not exhausted from a laundry list of complaints.

Now that you’re off and running with your strong beginning, you should implement the second tip right? You should write what you know! Well…maybe. If you want to write your autobiography then you don’t need to tweak this tip at all. Other subjects can be learned with the proper amount of research, so that isn’t really a problem either. However, if you want to write a ten-book long fantasy series about a race of moth-people this tip presents a problem, right? It actually applies more than you think. As the creator of the world in your story, you are the only one who truly knows it. You just have to make sure the laws of your world remain consistent in all of the books in your series. For example, if one of the things you know is the moth-people can’t get wet, make sure to remember that and avoid swimming scenes in later books.

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A glimpse inside The Eyes of Love:

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“Hi there. I’m Gracie…” the waitress said as she put down a napkin and some silverware.

“Gracie. It’s me. Sally Overby,” she said grinning.

Gracie stopped in her tracks and squinted her eyes. “Sally? I can’t believe it! You’re stunning, honey!” she said reaching down and hugging her. “What are you doing in town?”

“Reunion. And to see Momma, of course.”

“I can’t get over how beautiful you are!”

“Thanks.”

“You were always a sweetheart of a person, but now your outside matches your inside.”

“That’s a nice way to look at it.”

“So, what have you been up to?”

“Let’s see… Became an attorney, got married, had a son, became a widow…”

“Oh, Sally, I’m so sorry! I remember that now. Your Momma told me a few years back. You’re still single?”

“Yep. But I have a date to the reunion tomorrow night, so I guess I’m officially back on the dating circuit now,” Sally said giggling.

“Date? Who with?”

“Colin Dean.”

Gracie started fanning herself. “Oh, girl, you scored on that one, huh?”

“I did. He’s a wonderful guy.”

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eyes love .Sketch.Angelina Rose

My Review

Sally was the ugly duckling in highschool, always bullied. One girl was more vicious than the others and made her life a living hell.

But highschool doesn’t last forever, and Sally went on to college, getting her degree, passing the bar, and becoming a lawyer.

On top of that, she fell in love, got married, and had a son.

Now, it’s been five years since she lost her husband to an accident and she’s a single mother, just like her own mother was.

When the invitation to her class reunion arrives, she figures, why not. This ugly duckling has become a swan and it’s time to preen.

I’m sure you’ve been to at least one class reunion. It’s always fun to reunite with old friends and see how everyone has changed. Especially that sweetheart you had a crush on.

I think that was the most enjoyable part of The Eyes of Love. Well, except for when Sally runs into her old nemesis.

The newly kindled romance is endearing and the face off between Sally and the wicked witch of highschool is  very satisfying. Those years of bullying toughened her up and I liked how Sallie handled herself.

She’s tough but soft, courageous yet vulnerable. Someone you’d want in your corner.

This is a fun, heart-warming tale that’ll have you cheering for the good guys, and booing the bad ones.

4 Stars

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Angelina Rose

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Angelina Rose has wanted to write ever since she could hold a pencil. The first daughter of immigrant parents, Angelina had her head buried in books, lost in a world of heroes, heroines and exotic places.

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Angelina’s author career.

“I awoke in the ICU… I had been unconscious for several days,” Angelina says.

In 2010, Angelina had a long stint in hospital following her involvement in a motor vehicle accident: the longest time off work (as a Registered Nurse), she’d ever had in her life!

It was then she took up pen and paper and started to write again, just as she had done when she was a child. She wrote four short fiction stories for young adults, entered them in several competitions, and managed to win three first prizes!

After happily dipping her toes into writing those short fiction stories for young adults, Angelina has now authored four books in a new “Mill Creek Crossing Romance” series… contemporary romance intended for adults.

The “Starting Over Series” is another contemporary romance series she wrote about a subject she knows well… nurses and their love life. At a recent reunion of her graduating class, she could not help but notice how the same girls would group together and laugh, chat, and even shed some tears over their lives since graduating. Many of the girls had divorced… so Angelina thought “what if a group of the nurses came up with a plan to meet in two years and have a new love story to share?” Then the first story in the series was born.

There is always a story running around in her head. A man with thick dark hair, gray-blue eyes, with an engaging smile and a quick wit… or a girl crying over a broken relationship. She finds herself talking to these characters during her day: when she’s doing dishes, or bathing babies at the hospital. These characters crop up on days at the beach or on walks through the neighborhood. This is how the stories start to grow.

Angelina’s mother was an author, so Angelina grew up with a love of words and stories. If she wasn’t writing a short story about something that took her fancy, her head was buried in books… reading, reading, reading, as her brother constantly told her…

When she’s not spending time with her goodlooking man, or quality time with her laptop, she’s working at the hospital, hanging out with her family and friends, or walking her two dogs around the neighborhood. Angelina spends as much time as she can traveling, then coming home and including some of those adventures in her stories.

Angelina really loves to hear from her readers and she invites you to connect with her on Facebook as she interacts daily with her readers there!

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Eyes-of-Love-ebook/dp/B00CRM1Q4I

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/angelinaroseromanceauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RoseRomanceBook

Website:  http://AngelinaRoseRomance.com

Goodreads:   http://www.goodreads.com/angelinaroseromance

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You can win a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card!

To enter click on the rafflecopter link below.

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You can follow the tour by clicking on the banner below.

Catch more fun and exciting reviews,excerpts, guest posts, and interviews. And leave a comment!

The more you comment the more chances to win!

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For all of my giveaways go HERE.

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