Sunday, October 25, 2015

Blog Tour #3: Of Royal Descent by Ember Shane


Title: Of Royal Descent (Doyle Hawthorne Series Book  
Author: Ember Shane
Released: September 9, 2013

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18751430-of-royal-descent

SYNOPSIS:
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But sometimes, under extreme circumstances, it's exactly that which kills you that makes you stronger. And faster. And a member to a new, elite race of zombies.

Armed with a current address for his biological grandfather and a slightly unusual, yet loyal best friend, Doyle Hawthorne sets out to discover the truth about his past. But answers don't come easily, and the closer Doyle arrives to his destination, the more confusing things become. Disturbing alterations to his physical appearance as well as to his personality flicker on and off as Doyle searches for a logical explanation.

Despite the increasing severity of these uncontrolled flare-ups, Doyle is determined to keep his first date with Addy - a beautiful, young woman he has met upon his arrival into town. After narrowly subduing his raging impulses, Doyle quickly decides not even death itself can keep him from her. Unfortunately, he is about to test that theory.

Once initiated, nothing can alter the process of shading - the term given to the three distinct phases of becoming a higher classification of zombie, commonly referred to as "royals". Doyle must learn to control his tendency toward violence as well as his new found royal powers if there is any chance of protecting those he loves from a mad scientist, the government, the colony of royals, and most importantly... himself.

BUY NOW FOR.99!!


Other books in series...


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22744664-of-high-treason



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26094631-heir-to-the-crown




AUTHOR BIO:









Ember Shane is the author of the new adult, paranormal romances included in The Doyle Hawthorne Series. She's currently working on her fourth book, title pending, which follows Jenny Hawthorne's story, tentatively scheduled to be released autumn 2016.

When she's not writing about things that go bump in the night, Ember can be found practicing her hot glue gun skills or searching for the holy grail of banana pudding recipes.


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Sunday, October 18, 2015

Top 5 Thrillers of October

Hey ya'll,
So we are well into October and things are getting spookier as the day of Halloween draws closer to us. With that being said, here are the top 5 thrillers you need to read to keep you in the crazy moments of October!!!!!



Synopsis

The world is a pretty straightforward place. Even for medium Sara Stone things seem pretty simple, aside from the whole talking to spirits bit. But when the spirits get too hard to handle and Sara ends up admitted to a mental hospital, the world starts to seem a lot less straightforward. First her family disappears, including her four year old son. Then she gets the sneaking suspicion that not only are the staff at the mental hospital somehow connected, but they also have no intention of ever letting her leave the hospital. 
Everything changes when Sara has her first visitor in three months. Daniel is handsome, friendly, and a complete stranger. When he promises to spring her from the hospital and swears that everything she's experienced is completely real, Sara has no choice but to believe him. But once she reaches a run-down Victorian house in the tiny Alabama town her rescuer calls home, the last thing she expects to discover is that every memory she has is a lie. 
Daniel reveals a world filled with angels, demons, and an impending war humans know nothing about. Sara wants to ignore her role in the whole mess – all that matters is solving the mystery of where her son has gone. But the forces of Heaven, Hell, and the Heart have other plans for her. Can she find her child before the world comes crashing down?

My Opinion

What caught my eye about this novel would have to be the cover! It is very rare to see a female grace the cover of a book and let alone be the lead in that story as well. I love the dramatic aspect of this piece and how this book is giving us a new perspective on what a novel can be about. This novel clearly shows us that vampires aren't our only worries.




Image result for k. r. thompson

Synopsis

Before the legend of the Keepers, came the story of the Wolf. 

Once upon a time, there lived a man whose fate would rest with two sisters. One will hold his heart. With her, he will find a love that will last forever, though it will come with a price. 
From the other sister, he will learn fortitude as he discovers that she holds the power to destroy all he holds dear. For as easily as one sister captures his heart, the other will trap his soul.

My Opinion

Up above is the prequel to the Keepers Saga! First off, who doesn't love a good Werewolf tale to read throughout the scariest time of year? A full moon, a man who shifts into a dominating predator, and the love triangles that keep getting complex. 
This is the perfect novel to give you a good fright and an entertaining plot twist.


#3. The Bound Series by Eve Newton

Image result for eve newton bound

Synopsis

He knew her body was just the host, he knew she was possessed by a Demon, but he didn't care. Slade loved her, but she betrayed him so he kidnapped her to punish her. He didn't count on ending up with someone he didn't bargain for. She tricked him and he fell for it and her, only to have her taken away from him and the woman he originally wanted returned to him. Only he doesn't want his Demon Mistress any more. He wants the woman he lost. Can Slade bring her back and get rid of the others, or will she be lost to him forever? A paranormal, erotic short story with a dark twist.

My Opinion

I do not recommend this novel to be read by anyone under the age of 17 due to it being an erotic paranormal short story. What I love about this story is that it shows us the messiness of life in general beside the whole demon thing. It really pushes us to look at the consequences of our actions. You not only get this sexy story, but you also get something deeper here that will scare you all while enlightening you on what sacrifice is. Newton surely has outdid herself and others in her genre! I look forward to seeing more from her.





Synopsis

When Grace Allen discovers a valuable ring in a gutter, she thinks it’s her lucky day, but, fate has other ideas. Now, Grace finds herself not only the keeper of tremendous power, but the only person in the world able to wield it. 
Seth McPhee is a monster on the hunt and his prey has never been more seductive. While Grace's powers will ensure his leadership in the underworld, her beauty will make her captivity a pleasure. 
Rushing to the rescue is Lucian, a man who is more than he seems. 
Will he prove to be the white knight that he claims, or is he just another beautiful monster?

My Opinion

Young adult novels never cease to amaze me! And what I love is that authors like Basso are constantly reinventing what it truly means to be an author. Also, I love the fact that true authors can give an entirely different spin on something that may have seemed played out and create such a masterpiece with their own creativity. 
Great job Basso!




Image result for rebekkah ford third

Synopsis
If you could have the power to control evil, would you want it? 

In a rainy, misty town filled with moss-covered trees and dwarfed by wooded mountains, Astoria, Oregon, holds many secrets and eighteen-year-old Paige Reed is one of them. She’s immortal, has magical abilities she’s discovering, and harbors King Solomon’s power inside her. With his incantations, she can control the dark spirits who lurk among societies in soulless humans. 

But her problems are mounting. 

Her best friend slips into a coma, and Paige must tap into her newfound powers—powers she’s unsure of—to save her.

My Opinion

I have always been drawn to stories that have a dilemma so unbelievable that it puts me in the shoes of the characters themselves and that's how I feel with Ford's novel. Having the power to control evil makes a person feel responsible yet scared because the task itself seems daunting. Which is what makes this novel so appealing.



Thursday, October 15, 2015

Blog Tour #2: Charlie Sullivan & The Monster Hunters Series by Author D.C. McGannon & C.M. McGannon

CHARLIE SULLIVAN AND THE MONSTER HUNTERS: THE VARCOLAC'S DIARY
by D.C. McGannon, C. Michael McGannon
Publication Date: April 2012 (Original), April 2015 (Revised)
Age Group: Young Adult, Teens, Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mythology, Bullying



Book Summary:
Monsters are real. They have always been here, even when we choose not to see them.
Now, for the residents of Hunter’s Grove, the choice is no longer theirs. As a power-hungry varcolac—a Greater—tries to break through the magic holding him back and lead his army of monsters to vengeance against human-kind, there are five who unknowingly possess the power to finish what centuries of humans before them have been unable to do. Charlie Sullivan and his band of new friends will be tested as they attempt to strengthen the magic that can lock the monsters and their evil prince away for good—even if the cost is their lives. This is the story of five unlikely friends who uncover the sinister past buried under their sleepy hometown of Hunter’s Grove. This is a story aboutlooking past differences, overcoming fears, and rediscovering what is truly important in this life. This is the story of Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters of Hunter’s Grove. All New, And Even More Exciting, Revised Edition for 2015!

Links to Purchase:
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iTunes

What Reviewers Are Saying:

"D.C. and Michael pack a wealth of wonder and fantasy into this young adult adventure. Incorporating some of the most fascinating legends...I found myself being drawn to the depth of the characters and enjoyed watching their bonds grow as they explored the gifts hidden deep within them as well as the evil that hunts for them. I recommend this story for anyone who loves folklore and monstrous fun! From vampires to dragons, from witches to eerie ferrymen, this tale has it all." 
- Solomon J. Inkwell, Author of Vickie Van Helsing

"A must read for all young adult fiction fans!" - Amazon Reviewer

"I picked this book up for my oldest daughter. I thought she might enjoy it and asked her to let me know what she thought. She loved it! I ended up reading it with her and I have to say that I enjoyed the story as much, maybe more, than she did." - Amazon Reviewer

"The characters are real enough that I found myself cheering them on and hoping they succeed in their mission. I look forward to reading the next installment." - Amazon Reviewer

"Great book with a great cast of characters. Keeps your attention and makes you want to come back for more. I really appreciated the underlying theme of bullying and how it was addressed, but I especially loved the unique challenges and monsters the Monster Hunters faced. Can’t wait for more!” -Goodreads Reviewer

A Message From the Authors:

We began this journey together, as father and son, with the goal of writing a story that
spoke to friendship, overcoming obstacles (and the ultimate evils in our world), and of the power of working together to face the biggest challenges in our lives. Yes, it's full of monsters, peril, and steeped in exciting mythology and folklore, but it centers around the powerful bonds formed between an unlikely group of friends as they face a unique set of challenges. We wanted to write a story that we would be proud to read aloud to our then newborn son/baby brother (who now, years later, has read them through twice more). It has turned into the adventure of a lifetime as we are meeting people from all over the world who are falling in love with Charlie Sullivan, Darcy Witherington, Nash Stormstepper, and the twins Lisa & Liev Vadinknov - along with a wild, often humorous, and mysterious cast of humans and monsters alike.

Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters: Witch Moon in the next adventure in the series, which takes us across the ocean to the Old Country, then onto Book 3: Council of the Hunters, where the group's character and loyalty face the ultimate tests when they meet a surprising and spooky new cast of characters. The Dragon Gate (Book 4) will be released soon, and there will be a total of 6 books in the series!

We'll leave you with more kind words from another Amazon reviewer:

"In my opinion, this series deserves to be a huge hit ...
I can guarantee you'll be hooked!"

About the Authors:



D.C. McGannon

D.C. McGannon is finicky about his coffee. And loves tea.And lemonade. Sometimes together. He has had a lifelong love of things that lurk in the dark, and is quite comfortable under the light of a full moon. A writer, director, painter, and doodler, McGannon is co-author of the Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters (Wyvern’s Peak Publishing)series of novels for young adults, and KAOS Obsidere: The Nightmare Has Begun (Dark Waters Press).He plays a mean air guitar, and lives and dreams with Holly, Michael, Nathaniel,
and their sweet puppy, Jewel, somewhere in the Midwest.

Contact the author:

C. Michael McGannon

C. Michael McGannon appreciates weird fiction, perhaps a bit more than one should at any given time. It has made him particular, fostering strange phobias, and even stranger dreams. He is fond of dragons, Japanese mythology, and the fine art of delivering timely and inappropriate puns. McGannon is an artist of diverse talents, and is co-author of the Charlie Sullivan and the Monster Hunters (Wyvern’s Peak Publishing)
series of novels for young adults, and KAOS Obsidere: The Nightmare Has Begun (Dark Waters Press). Sushi is his delicacy of choice, if he has any say in the matter.

Contact the author:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
My site!

Friday, October 9, 2015

Book Review #17: Absolute Black by Lori J. Lawrence

Hey ya'll,
I was given the opportunity to read the novel, Absolute Black by Lori J. Lawrence and it wasn't what I expected it to be.

Book Progression

First off I felt like Lawrence was definitely on point when translating her imagination onto paper. However, I would have liked it if I could have connected more with her characters. To be honest it took a while for this book to get going. It wasn't until I reached page 70 out of 312 pages that I was finally able to see some action taking place.

The main character Erica was very dull to me. I was hoping that her feelings of another presence would jump start this novel, but it took way too long for me. All I felt was frustration that these characters weren't moving at a pace that you would normally find in a supernatural thriller.

I had such high hopes for this novel, but I was not able to really get into it. Hopefully, in time I will revisit this novel again and my opinion may be different, but as for now....

Rating: ***

PS. I enjoyed Arjuna a lot! He was the only character that really immersed me into what this novel is about. Sometimes I feel an author can be so aloof with their readers that the integrity of the novel suffers. Lawrence did a great job overall in creating this world of Treviso, but I would like her characters to be bolder and stronger so that I can see what makes them unique. 

Have you read this novel? Tell me, do you agree or disagree with what I have to say? 
I want to hear your thoughts! 
Until Next Time ;)

Friday, October 2, 2015

Product Review #2: Natracure!!!!!

Hey ya'll,
So I was given Cold Therapy Socks from Natracure and they worked very well!

A lot of people don't know that when I was younger I had fractured my right foot in three places and every now then my foot still experiences pain. So this week when my foot began aching with pain I decided to use my Cold Therapy Socks from Natracure.

I used my Cold Therapy Socks for an entire week as needed. I alternated by freezing and heating the gel packs that are to be inserted within my Cold Therapy Socks and it worked very nicely!

I found that each method of freezing and heating the gel packs did something different for my feet. If I heated my gel packs I could feel the pain in my foot dying away. It was such a relief! And when I froze my gel packs the pain in my foot felt like it was being numbed away. Also, the socks themselves were amazingly comfortable and kept me from feeling too much of the gel packs. The socks were made out of material that was so soft that it felt like a marshmallow was attached to my foot. I loved it!

I believe this is a great product that everyone should have whether you are an athlete or a person who suffers from pain in general with their feet. The best part about using this product is that all I had to do was let the gels take care of the pain while I curled up to a good book. This is one product that genuinely works.
Thank you Natracure!

Overall Rating: ****

Author Spotlight #8: Rabbit in Red by Joe Chianakas

Gore without fear is like sex without love; you’ll squirm, but it’s better when your heart’s in it. 
Distinguished Press is proud to launch Rabbit in Red, the first book in a horror mystery series by Joe Chianakas! 


Synopsis: 

Bill Wise has blood in his past, so he turns to horror films to wipe it clean. Jaime Stein has felt the betrayal of death, so she too takes refuge in the on-screen deaths of others. Now Bill, Jaime, and seventeen other horror-loving teens have gathered at Rabbit in Red Studios, the brainchild of eccentric horror producer Jay “JB” Bell, for the terror-filled, blood-drenched contest of their lives. JB has presented this competition as a race between the best of the best that will reward the winners with cash, internships, and a career making the movies they love. But things aren’t always as they seem at Rabbit in Red, and soon life starts to imitate art. Will Bill and Jaime be strong enough to confront real horror to save their friends, or will they all fall victim to JB’s twisted plans? 

Excerpt: 

This was the moment! He seized a knife that was on the kitchen floor and stabbed the hand—his own hand!—pinning it to the floor. He hesitated a moment, looking at this image in front of him. It was the strangest thing Bill could have imagined. There he was, on the floor of JB’s game chamber, but all around him he only saw the infamous cabin in the woods from The Evil Dead. And he had stabbed his own hand, but thankfully he felt no more than a sharp pinch. The knife was virtual, but the glove was real, and whatever technology JB programmed in it, the glove reacted in perfect real time to everything happening on screen. He knew what he had to do next, and he was both excited and terrified at the idea. This was the epic moment with Ash in The Evil Dead. He had to cut off the possessed hand. That was the only way to get rid of the evil, to not become fully possessed. With his right hand pinned to the floor gushing out blood, Bill reached for the chainsaw that Ash had used earlier in the movie, which of course happened to be right next to him. Remembering this iconic scene from those younger memories when he and his friends cheered, Bill picked up the chainsaw with his left hand, bit on the cord and yanked it back with as much force as he could to start the gas-powered hacking device and brought it down on his right arm. The screeching noises, the loud mechanics of the saw, the crunching of bone, and the splattering of blood coalesced in a cacophony of noises, an orchestra of pain. Bill cut off the hand. 



“Because you were home,” Bill whispered. “No other reason than that they were home.” 
His body twitched for a moment, his saddest, darkest memory stinging him like a wasp that appeared out of nowhere. Shake it off. No time for that now.Their screens flashed CORRECT and the bloody rabbit danced. 

Buy links: SmashWords: Rabbit in Red
                  Amazon: Rabbit in Red

About the author:

Joe Chianakas is a professor of communication at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL. He’s a super fan of horror and literature. Rabbit in Redis his first published novel. He likes writing in all sorts of genres from horror to traditional coming-of-age. In addition to teaching and writing, he enjoys fitness, martial arts, and traveling. You can find Joe online at www.joechianakas.com or www.facebook.com/chianakas/