Thursday, May 25, 2017

Book Review: Slipspace: Harbinger

Slipspace: Harbinger

By:  P.C. Haring

Publish Date:  May 1, 2017

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Sci fi

Series:  1st in Slipspace series

First Impression:  A space opera with more than war. It's about family and friends and the lives they lead.

Synopsis:
A fringe colony world has gone dark, and Captain Cody Amado and the crew of the ISPA’s newest battle cruiser, Mjöllnir, must respond and investigate.

No one is prepared for the destruction that awaits them.

Agendas collide as the bonds of duty, loyalty, and family are tested, and the major governments position themselves to prepare for what is to come next.

With interstellar tensions rising, the crew of the Mjöllnir race to discover the connection between the colony’s destruction, an alien society so reclusive it has only been rumored about, and an enemy that disappeared a decade prior.

Is this merely an isolated incident, or is this a harbinger of much darker things still to come?

First Sentence:
Between the blaring alarms and the shaking under her feet, Cassandra might have thought the gates of hell had opened, exposing the planet to a demonic swarm.

Purchase At:
Amazon

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I read this book for my own enjoyment and in exchange for an honest review.

Oh! Starting this book, it caught my attention from the first sentence. Nice! There are creatures and outer space in one book. And more! I liked it!

We start with meeting the commanders who have a hefty past and as they all come together on Mjollnir with Captain Cody Amado. As they arrive and the new large vessel is running trials, there is a computer glitch. Something that appears to be fixed, but Captain Cody Amado and Melor fear sabotage. On a low, Melor is investigating to see if it was sabotage of not. This seems to quickly get put to the back burner as the ship soon finds itself in the middle of a mission which then leads to much more, and more time consuming projects... like fixing the ship... and winning battles.

Captain Amado and his crew are sent on their first mission in the large heavy battleship Mjollnir. They are to investigate what happened at Artez and why the colony is not responding. This is interesting. As we investigate Artez, and move to places where we meet other beings, we get a view of the brutal past that's been lived. Humans have fought a costly war with a deadly race. And there are uneasy peace with other beings in space. But, humans can always use more allies especially after the toll on Artez and the possible battles to come.

A great sign of crafted characters is when I have strong feelings about characters. This is hats off to the author for creating each character as their own individual.

A few of the characters to mention as examples:
-Admiral Marr... oh I liked him when we first met him. But when he sent Cody and our crew on a mission that could very well be their death! Oh I didn't like him at all. He seemed to enjoy this moment to much for me, in just the smile he had. But it is his job. He's got his own personal troubles as well, with his daughter.
-Cody's wife, the doctor on ship as well, seems a bit to needy for me (in her personality that's well written). She knows her stuff and has a very good idea what she's getting into, but when she arrives on the ship she's very demanding and upset, over a few things but one was not having a window. Nira grew on me as she grew as a character. She seemed to start to adapt to being on ship more and more.
-Melor is probably one of my favorites of the the crew. She's also the engine mechanic aboard, in simple terms. She's brilliant and knows the process that needs to be done, so takes no crap from anyone. She's a pivotal character here as she's not human, but she's saved the ship in one spot to maybe doom it in another for being who she is. She has her past that haunts her as well.
-Cody seems like a rather level headed man. He's actually perfect for Captain of the ship. Really, I think so. He thinks everything out and goes for the good.
-Cassandra sometimes doesn't see the good to be done, but to defend her, she's lived the battle with the terrible creatures that threatened her and her soldiers lives. She knows what they can do and what to watch for. She just doesn't want to see it happen again.

All of these characters have a past that drives them in their way of thinking and decisions. All their connections and pasts are presented to us and we understand why they take the paths they do. All this comes out as the ship moves forward in it's mission, and brings us to where they need to be.

I found it easy to slip into the world with the characters because they seemed personable. We live in their day. The characters live and think as normal people we feel all their emotions. This story is more than just a space War Story it's a story of family and friends and their lives they lead. That's part of what makes it a Space Opera. I could see people who enjoyed Star Trek enjoying this read. It's not overly science fiction strong with terms and usage of Technology. It's a story of people trying to live their lives and find peace for all in space.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Audio Book Review: The Science of Supervillainy

The Science of Supervillainy

By:  C.T. Phipps

Publish Date:  April 1, 2017, Audiobook Release April 11, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 5 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  4th in The Supervillainy Saga series; Book 1 ~ The Rules of Supervillainy, Book 2 ~ The Games of Supervillainy, Book 3 ~ The Secrets of Supervillainy

Impression:  Family and friends are important, even to supervillains.

Synopsis:
Gary Karkofsky a.k.a Merciless: The Supervillain without Mercy™ returns in the fourth volume of the popular Supervillainy Saga. Having discovered the world's greatest superhero slain by his doppelganger from another reality, Merciful: The Supervillain with Mercy ™, and the arrogant President Omega, Gary dedicates himself to overthrowing both. Unfortunately, this is harder than it looks since Merciful has all of Gary's genre savviness while President Omega has the entire brainwashed United States military behind him. In the end, though, there can be only one ruler of the world and two of these three feuding villains will have to go.

First Sentence:
The air above me was full of more blue, red, and white energy blasts than the G.I. Joe cartoon from the eighties.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

Gary aka Merciless may have stopped President Omega (for now?) but he still has Other Gary to tend to. After his imprisonment by Other Gary, Gary returns to Falconcrest to find Other Gary has taken Gary's name and turned the city into a wonder, run by a superhero. Gary must now overthrow Other Gary to get things to return to normal.


Jeffrey is a treat to listen to. In this book, he made me laugh out. What did he do? He did a villain's laugh for Gary. Yes, a laugh laugh not just telling me the words describing the laugh. It was awesome! These are the little things narrators do that catch my ears and draw me in. I wonder how many times Jeffrey had to speak the tongue twister sections, as they are perfect in the audiobook.

I'm so excited to get back into this world. Gary is kicking it strong with his references in this book. C.T. has weighted the book heavily with these cool nods to all sorts of memories of shows, comics, and so much more. All hit home as soon as I hear them, and make me smile at the memory and joke. So many references to the shows, comics, and more are in comment, actions, and title.

Gary's colorful look on events and life makes this book a joy to listen to. If you enjoyed Gary's perspective on events and life, you'll continue to enjoy this book. He really believes what he thinks, whether it's true or not. When he's wrong his friends point it out and he plays it off. He never thinks back to it and rolls with it. It's a hoot.

I love the twist to good and evil and live and death interpretation on things done in this book. It's a fun twist authors enjoy playing with, and C.T. has the ground work in place to do that with Gary and Other Gary.

Gary keeps friends and loved ones near and dear. Gary loves his wife, Mandy, so deeply. He is so caught on her, and it's great. He's not stalkerish, he's just full of heart or heartbroken or... well, he always wants the best for Mandy and hopes to have his relationship back. Gary meets a very special little one. The communication and conversations with the little one is cute and fun. I love the references to cartoons.

We get a lot of family (blood and picked) time. Gary was imprisoned in a town for five years and has a lot to catch up on. We do, and learn what happened with Other Gary in their town.

Just when I think things are going to become as I expect, C.T. throws in a surprise. I just never know what's going to happen or appear in a scene. Sure, I can guess and let my mind run wild, but then I miss something! lol.

Gary gets sidetracked so easily! lol. It's funny how this mans brain works. We have a goal, to stop Other Gary. But we get waylaid with family and friends along the way because things are different after five years imprisoned in Undertown, living the 1950's life style. At times I almost forgot what the end goal was with all we talked through with family/friends. This story's focus feels to be more on family, those we create by blood and more.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Author Guest Post: Say Hello to my Little (Human) Friend

Today we have Ed Greenwood sharing about his story that will appear in The Awakened anthology that is funded through Kickstarter. If you are liking what you are reading here, go get in on the extras in the Kickstarter!



SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE (HUMAN) FRIEND
by Ed Greenwood

There’s something intriguing about animal companions. We look at pet cats and dogs and swear they can read our minds or understand every word when we’re talking to someone else and they’re eavesdropping. And they can do things we can’t do: fly, or hear or smell keenly, or creep about unobserved due to their stealth or size or just being dismissed by other humans as “a dumb animal.” What if we could harness that? Work as a team?

What would it be like, soaring like an eagle? Or seeing through the eyes of one? Or telepathically talking to one?

What if a “beast” was your trusted conspirator in crime? Fellow secret agent? Sword-brother-er, sister, er . . . wing-bushytail? Wise-cracking, perhaps gruff and snarly—and forever different, non-human, with world-views and parts of their brain and depths of senses and instincts you can never see and never share.

Do they trust you? Can they trust you?

Dare you trust them?

And what about love? As in, are they capable of it? Or gratitude? If something goes wrong, will they have your back? Or will their animal natures cause them to do something unhelpful, from scampering away in blind fear to skunks spraying to chewing off their own limbs to going berserk? (My mind leaps to a possible AWAKENED human-lemming partnership, and a story called “Always Leaping Off The Nearest Cliff.” A very short story.)

Boy, I’ve been asking a lot of questions. Fitting; this human-beast-mind-linkage thing provokes a lot of questions.

Yes, if AWAKENED tales are new to you, I did mention a mind-link. When the wolf pounces and bites down to kill, you’re along for the ride . . .

Or to put it a tad more formally, AWAKENED stories explore what it feels like to be in a bond, a mental partnership, a linkage of human and “creature.” Beings who may be smarter than humans. And who, when caught up in events humans might deem “adventures” or even “deadly peril,” may have an endless capacity to surprise other humans.

That’s why AWAKENED tales are such fun for me to pen. Hal Greenberg is a genius to have come up with this ongoing series, and plugged away at keeping various creative folks at work on new human-beast stories. The idea isn’t new, but putting together anthologies of very different takes on this theme between one set of covers for a reader to readily enjoy is . . . filling a gap in entertaining literature that’s obvious the moment you open an AWAKENED book.

This is a fascinating sub-genre, and you have been missing it. The question is (cue not-comfortably-distant-enough wolf howl) will the critters go on missing you?

AWAKENED stories thrive in the fantastical world Hal first envisaged them taking place in, and this book proves they thrive in our modern times. Where and when next? Fantastical creatures? Oh, but I mustn’t start with the questions again, because the stories in AWAKENED: MODERN raise a bunch of their own. And, delightfully, answer quite a few, too!

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of running with the beasts. Grab this book, immerse yourself in its tales, and see if you feel the same way!

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Ed Greenwood is a New York Times-bestselling Canadian writer, game designer, and librarian best known for creating The Forgotten Realms® fantasy world fifty years ago. His 350-plus books have sold millions of copies worldwide in more than three dozen languages. Ed was elected to the Academy of Adventure Gaming Art & Design Hall of Fame in 2003, and has won multiple ENNIE and Origins and other awards. Through The Ed Greenwood Group, he now helms many shared storytelling worlds he’s created; they can be found at OnderLibrum.com

Awakened Modern is currently funding on Kickstarter, http://tiny.cc/AwakenedModern.

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Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sunday Post #168

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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Weekend oh weekend, where did you go?!

I took a drive down to the big city, Pittsburgh, Friday night. The SFWA Nebula Conference was/is going on this weekend. Now, I can't afford the pass for all weekend or even one day. Yep, for me it's expensive. But Friday night they did a signing and I knew several authors that were going to be there and wanted to say hi. I asked a friend to go with me and she did. She now has a whoooole new list of books to read. Muahahahahaha. It was great to see everyone and talk to a few new authors.

I wanted to see Tee Morris, Philippa Ballantine, KT Bryski, Lauren Harris, and Piper Drake (PJ Schnyder in paranormal books). All amazing people and authors. Then I got to talk to a few new authors that I've seen their books around. Marie Andreas which I recognized from a recent freebie that sounded amazing - The Glass Gargoyle. And Keith O. McLaughlin I recognized from seeing his book somewhere on the web that caught my eye - Valhalla Online.

My son's been asking when I'll start the series 13 Reasons Why. He has loved the show. He feels it helps open eyes of those who have no idea what it feels like on the other side and that one should be aware of ones actions. He put on episode one so I had to watch it. I have mixed feelings on this show for so many reasons. I'll watch it with him as he wants to watch it again and we've been talking about the show and what happens for weeks now.

As for the rest of the weekend... Well, baseball game for kiddo and trying to get things done around here. I have a hefty list of things to do.

Next weekend I probably won't post, unless I find a way to squeeze time in. I'll be at BALTICON!!! Woohooo! I missed last year and was so bummed. I need a few days to unwind and relax and this is my time. I may not have much money to eat on, but I'm going. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... Okay. It's been rough with all I have to get done in life. I did get on treadmill Tuesday and Thursday and cut grass on Wednesday. I also got on the treadmill yesterday, Saturday, for a bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Slipspace: Harbinger by P.C. Haring

Current Audiobook:
Villain's Rule by M.K. Gibson

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!)


Finished Last Week: 
nothing yet.

Audiobooks from Audible:
Hound's Bite by E.J. Stevens



Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing yet.


DNFed:

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)



Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
Nothing new last week. I have pictures to touch up and share, but time has not been sharing lately.

Challenged Writers:
March Update on writer-ly items, with a picture of book working on.


Around the Internet...


Reviews:
Ghosts of Empire by Terry Mixon

"It sounds like a lot of people, but the way Terry adds them keeps them all individual and easy to get to know before adding more to the group. I love this as it does not stress me out. He introduces them in their 'home' environment and when they appear on the page it's in relation to who and where they are, even not spoken or written. This makes it very easy for me to remember who's who in this growing cast of characters."

Stone Cold Bastards by Jake Bible

"We see the last Sanctuary with humans who're not possessed pull all they have to stand against the demons, and try one last effort to save what little is left of the world."




Podcast Review:




Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:


~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:


I will have two reviews and a guest post.

Mythical Monday posts are now on hiatus until next year.


~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:
(Note: Links to Amazon are buy links where I could earn commission, in case you are interested.)


For Review Consideration:




Audio Books Requested for Review:
Laced in Lies by Colleen Helme
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meet Shelby Nichols, mind reader extraordinaire.

A typical day in the life of Shelby Nichols involves cheating husbands, solving the hardest cases for the police, and working for a big time mob-boss, all because of her little secret that she can read minds. It can get complicated, especially considering she has a husband and two kids.

Ramos, Uncle Joey’s hit-man, is reluctant to involve Shelby when an acquaintance from his past comes into town. Uncle Joey has a favor to ask Shelby which involves heading to New York City and meeting his estranged relatives. Then there’s Dimples, a police detective, who needs her help finding the person behind a deadly new drug.

It’s no wonder Shelby has a hard time keeping everything straight. But the worst is deciding how to explain her crazy, mixed-up life to her kids. So far, her explanations have all been laced in lies, and she worries that, if the truth ever comes out, they will never trust her again.

Of course, none of that matters if she doesn’t escape the deadly enemy that takes her by surprise. Facing death has a way of putting things into perspective, if only she can stay alive long enough to appreciate it…

Lucifer's Star by C.T. Phipps
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of The Rules of Supervillainy:

Cassius Mass was the greatest star pilot of the Crius Archduchy. He fought fiercely for his cause, only to watch his nation fall to the Interstellar Commonwealth. It was only after that he realized the side he'd been fighting for was the wrong one. Now a semi-functional navigator on an interstellar freight hauler, he tries to hide who he was and escape his past. Unfortunately, some things refuse to stay buried and he ends up conscripted by the very people who destroyed his homeland.

LUCIFER'S STAR is the first novel of the Lucifer's Star series, a dark science fiction space opera set in a world of aliens, war, politics, and slavery.




Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:
Dragon's Magic by Robyn Wideman
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Lyric has won the tournament and an unwanted marriage with Sibylle. But his nemesis Talon Horne won't accept defeat at the hands of a foreign born street rat. Talon and his father manipulate the king and once again Lyric is an outcast.Only this time he is being hunted. With nowhere else to turn, Lyric heads to the mountains to find his dragon. 

However, Lyric isn't the only Finch who is dragon blood.


Audio:




Free Ebooks:
(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.



Free Audio Books/Stories:


~~~~~~~~~~
Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones
The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
Cursed Moon by Jaye Wells
The Science of Supervillainy by C.T. Phipps
Hound's Bite by E.J. Stevens

Friday, May 19, 2017

Author Guest Post: At the Intersection of Fantasy and Reality

Our first author sharing about their story in The Awakened anthology based on magnificent images is Torah Cottrill. There is still time left to get this anthology and many great extras!


At the Intersection of Fantasy and Reality
Torah Cottrill

When Hal Greenberg asked us to bring The Awakened phenomenon into the 21st century, I imagined the possibilities of using the sudden appearance of Awakened individuals throughout the world to explore how the powerless might use unexpected gifts. In The Awakened universe, a second moon awakens latent abilities (the ability to communicate with an animal companion, or one specific ability such as the ability to heal or to control an element) in a very small fraction of people on their 19 birthdays. In the fantasy world of Grimaton, people are aware of the possibility that they may be Awakened, and different societies have different ways of incorporating Awakened individuals. But what would happen to people in our world who discover powers that seem to be magical or supernatural? What will they do with those powers, and how will they be treated?

I had seen a documentary about sex workers in India, many of whom had been sold into the red-light districts and were kept as literal captives, and I wondered how these women, powerless and voiceless in the modern world, would react to becoming Awakened. Would they use their abilities to free others or to enact revenge? How would the world around them react to the most marginalized becoming powerful?

Genre fiction—fantasy, science fiction, horror, urban fantasy, and other blends of the fantastic and the mundane—is a perfect vehicle for exploring the ripples that promulgate from a shift in reality. You can change one thing, and see where the consequences lead. Many of the most engaging works of genre fiction explore the impact of a single decision or event on the larger world, like Simak’s City, Hopkinsons’s Brown Girl in the Ring, Gaiman’s American Gods, the Strugatskys’ Roadside Picnic, or Willis’ To Say Nothing of the Dog. In my own far more modest story “Return of the Devis,” I wanted to explore the places at which physical power intersected social powerlessness, to see where having an Awakened power made a difference to a character’s life and the world around her, and the places where it couldn’t.

One of the joys of writing in a shared universe is being part of the creation of a far larger work. Writing for the Awakened series has given me a chance to see the many different ways genre fiction can explore new ideas. One set of circumstances—the process of becoming Awakened—leads to stories as different as the authors. We can use comedy, swashbuckling, problem-solving, crime-fighting, and psychological drama, among many other tools of the genre writer, to explore the ways a fictional universe can reflect the essentials of human existence.

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Torah Cottrill is a professional editor and amateur video gamer whose short stories have appeared in Stupefying Stories, Luna Station Quarterly, Ares Magazine, and Tokyo Yazuka, among other publications. She wastes her free time researching hand-to-hand combat techniques for her novel and failing to complete the seasonal set dungeons in Diablo III.

The Awakened Modern is currently funding on Kickstarter http://tiny.cc/AwakenedModern

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Audio Book Review: Stone Cold Bastards

Stone Cold Bastards

By:  Jake Bible

Publish Date:  February 24, 2017, Audiobook Release March 3, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 59 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  Stand-alone ?

Impression:  The last stand for the little bit of humanity left on the world...

Synopsis:
Only a rag-tag team of gargoyles stands between humanity and extinction.

Hell has released its ravening horde of demons, leaving most of humanity a puke-spewing, head-spinning mess of possession.

Humanity’s last hope? A team of misfit gargoyles—including a cigar chomping, hard-ass grotesque—come alive and ready for battle during the End of Days. They guard the last cathedral-turned-sanctuary atop a bald knoll in the North Carolina mountains.

Gargoyle protection grudgingly extends to any human who can make it inside the Sanctuary, but the power of the stonecutter blood magic, which protects the sanctuary, may not be enough when a rogue grotesque and his badly-wounded ward arrive.

All the hounds of hell are on their heels. The last Sanctuary is about to fall.

First Sentence:
The small, gray head popped off and rolled toward the end of the bar.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

The gates of hell have fallen and demons possess more humans than not, others have died. But there are pockets of humans in sanctuaries protected by gargoyles and grotesques still striving to live. Morty is one of the protectors at this cathedral, and with the news of another sanctuary falling they need to prepare for a siege as the possessed are going to circle and wait to get through the locked iron gates guarded by those like Morty to get to the un-possessed humans.

I enjoy when Jeff gets a book he can showcase his vocal talents. And this is such a book! There are a few different characters and each are greatly different in voice and personality. Jeff even adds small extras to the characters with relation to what they are doing. When it's written that a character scuffs or smacks his lips, Jeff does the action. It's much more personal than hearing the words - bringing the story to life. Totally awesome work!

This isn't a high action read out of the gate, but it's crafted in the world creation and the G's (gargoyles and grotesques). I would have liked a few more small details added in the beginning to know the relation of the characters talking, but it all become apparent quickly as to the world and relationships. I would have liked a little bit of description or foreshadowing to details we suddenly get so they don't feel to come out of nowhere, but I enjoyed the book for the fun. The fighting picks up as the book goes. The fights are a bit bloody. But that happens when you have hard stone or marble fighting soft, human flesh. There is strong cursing too.

The last stand for the little bit of humanity left on the world... Demons have almost taken over the world. This book all takes place in one day's time. We see Morty and his adventure along with what he finds. Then we see what's happened inside the Sanctuary while he's gone, with the siege and the teens leaving. Then both sections collide in a moment. We see the last Sanctuary with humans who're not possessed pull all they have to stand against the demons, and try one last effort to save what little is left of the world.

This is a stand alone novel and ends as one. Cool. This way I'm not left wondering about anything. Though, there are a few questions as to the stone cutter, but that's my speculative thinking.

We get to see a few different grotesques and gargoyles. They are all of different personality and bring something different to the protection they provide. They are all special in their own ways, a few more than others for fighting. The G's were made for this reason, and that's why they are alive now. I'm not sure why the G's don't try to save humans when the demons leave their bodies. Why not bring them into the sanctuary? I think there's something I'm missing after a demon already possesses a body. But they aren't necessarily to save people as they are to keep their sanctuary safe, and what's in it.

We get to meet the people in this sanctuary. They are struggling to get by and tensions do run high in the world that's now restricted to a small area. The people we meet are different and have knowledge they bring to the story. They aren't ready to give up though.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank  you.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Author Guest Post: The Awakened: An Origin Story

How did The Awakened come to be? We have Hall Greenberg, the creator, here today sharing his development of the world.


The Awakened: An Origin Story
Hal Greenberg

For years, I had this idea of a young man who was bonded to a lion and his friend who had control over plants, and I would think of scenarios for them, and the world slowly built around these two characters. From that point the world just expanded and when I realized I had something I started building a land, I first hired a cartographer to draw the map of Grimaton. I decided that there was no equator it went from south is cold to north is hot to cover all types of environments. Then I broke the land up and made different sovereigns, that was when I added other authors to start to fill up this world with stories of who was Awakened and those around them, I determined that you could have a bond with one creature not of your choosing but that creature became sentient and another character in the story and could mindspeak with you (stole that from The Horseclan series). If you were Awakened and not bonded with an animal you would have control over one specific sphere of magic, it could be elemental or psionic, it did not matter if it was a specific type of magic and if you used it too much you would have drained your mental constitution and may need to rest or may even go into a coma.

The world was created, the rules were set and as the world grew from the two anthologies I was struck early on, what if this event happened on earth, right now, how would the people, the government and those who were Awakened act? Heroes, villains, selfish, charitable what would happen? How would you react if your friend became Awakened but you did not? These thoughts passed through my mind and Awakened: Modern was born.

eSpec Books liked the idea and we worked on the project together and it is currently on Kickstarter, great stories by gifted authors will let you see what happens when a second moon suddenly stops near Earth and certain people become Awakened.

http://tiny.cc/AwakenedModern

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Hal Greenberg is an ENNIE winning art director, author, game designer, lead on anthologies, and world builder. Some of his works include the world of The Awakened®, Sisterhood of the Blade®, Bluffside: City on the Edge, Approaching Dawn: Witching Hour. Hal has worked with such industry veterans as Monte Cook, Todd Lockwood, Jeff Easley, Jim Butler and many more. He has been a guest at GenCon, Necronomicon, and Salty Bay Con.

Hal is a divorced father of two, with one dog, who resides in Florida. His hobbies include collecting: books, games, movie and TV props, art (sci-fi/fantasy and animation), watches, knives, and swords. He has also recently taken up the art of Bonsai with his daughter. Hal enjoys playing RPG's (online and in person), board and card games, and binge watching Netflix® in his spare time. You can find him on Facebook at realhalgreenberg.

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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Audio Book Review: Ghosts of Empire

Ghosts of Empire

By:  Terry Mixon

Publish Date:  December 13, 2015, Audiobook Release February 16, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 12 mins
Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  4th in The Empire of Bones series; 1st Book ~ Empire of Bones, 2nd Book ~ Veil of Shadows, 3rd Book ~ Command Decisions

Impression:  Wow. Fascinating story with characters we love.

Synopsis:
When on deadly ground, fight!

Jared and Kelsey won the battle for Harrison’s World, but the enemy holds thousands of Fleet personnel prisoner. They must get their people back without revealing who they really are or the sentient AIs will eradicate the new Terran Empire.

Coordinator Olivia West sees and opportunity to free her people from Harrison’s World now that the AI that had crushed them under its heel was no more. To do that, she must outwit the Fleet officers holding the keys to her planet’s destruction.

But foes striking from the shadows will go to any length to derail their plans. Can the three of them settle their differences before the ghosts of the Old Empire return to haunt them all?

First Sentence:
"What the hell is that?" Princess Kelsey Bandar asked.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

Having planets under control of higher powers can be a feeding ground for conspiracies and resistances. Here on Harrison's World, we get both. And they know very well who their enemy is. Harrison's World holds knowledge Admiral Jared Mertz and Princess Kelsey Bandar need to continue their fight against the Rebel Empire. But, can they get their people free and make allies at the same time? Or will the conspiracies of the Rebel Empire go deeper than all expected?

Veronica is talented at keeping pace with the excitement of the story. When the events pick up pace and the heart of the characters is pumping, Veronica has the feel of the fast tension to her voice, drawing me into the rush of the moment. Yet, Veronica is crystal clear in speaking so I know exactly what she says. There are moments through the book that have an echoy sound to them. I'm not sure what this is or why, me or the recording, I'm not sure. I'm repeatedly wowed at Veronica's ability and beyond any talent to give a vast cast of characters their own voices and personalities.

With Terry's writing we have come to be very close to our characters here. We've slowly added new characters that I've grown attached to as well. Now we are adding more people to the mix. It sounds like a lot of people, but the way Terry adds them keeps them all individual and easy to get to know before adding more to the group. I love this as it does not stress me out. He introduces them in their 'home' environment and when they appear on the page it's in relation to who and where they are, even not spoken or written. This makes it very easy for me to remember who's who in this growing cast of characters.

We get the story from Kelsey and Jared's POV's like previous books. But we also get a new view here. Commander Sean Meyer is in a different spot and we get to see from where he's at. And Coordinator Olivia West, who has a special connection to things.

Oooooh this book. There is so much to learn! We start to learn details of the Rebel Empire and how it's set up with their lords and rulers. Very interesting. Just when I thought things could get boring, Terry surprises me and keeps me held fast to the book. Things could easily be repeated, but they aren't. What we learn and deal with at Harrison's World grows to new heights, unlike at Pantagar.

We see how two worlds collide with needs and desires to do more. There are items that both want, yet only one has and can have. There is also desires for more on the new world we are negotiating with, Harrison's World. These worlds are damaged and the people are angry. Different people want different things - revenge, freedom, power, and more. There are people who want to rebel against the Rebel Empire and others with plans of their own. All clash as Jared and Kelsey work to get their people freed from Harrison's World. Will they make a new ally or an enemy? Or come to even grounds? There is a different hierarchy here, and it's going to be difficult to get anywhere.

This book had me groping for all sorts of ideas on how things could turn out. Oh to see how the people of Harrison's World who want to rebel against the Empire have worked for what little they have in place, and to know where those items are. Wow. There is more in common with Jared and Kelsey with Olivia and her people, they just don't know it right away. I worried how this common ground could be destroyed before it's ever found because everyone's so worried about keeping things safe against the AI and their Rebel Empire.

The creation of the Rebel Empire and their treatment of the planets is a feeding ground for rebellions and conspiracies. People wanting to be free. People wanting to climb the power ladder. It's a crafty web people weave to get what they want, and the extents they will go to. I was worried and anxious for all our friends, old and new, hoping things would turn out as they get into tight spots. I'm always mesmerized at the craftiness of authors that create systems and conspiracies this deep and this believable. Amazing talent!

Battles in space and on land. Car chases and fights. Caring people with close relations to their crew.

Aside from all my rambling, I just love this spectacularly written story, characters, and world!



***If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

Monday, May 15, 2017

Guest Post: The First Rule in Speculative Fiction is to Speculate

Today we have a guest that will share about a new Kickstarter campaign that sounds very interesting. Through the week I'll share posts from authors who will be writing in the anthology as well. It's funded and will happen, but you can still get included in the extras!



The First Rule in Speculative Fiction is to Speculate
By Danielle Ackley-McPhail

As a publisher I am often faced with hard choices. It isn’t enough for an idea to be cool. It needs weight behind it. Authors that increase visibility, an idea our audience is clamoring for, participants willing to promote. But more than that, it needs legs beyond the draw brought by the participants in the project.

Why? Because there isn’t much money in publishing. Or at least not for most of us. The return on sales is quite small once you’ve taken out discounts, production costs, and royalties to the authors. We don’t publish books to get rich, we do it because we love the written word and the wonderful things authors do with them.

This means we have to carefully consider if we can sell a book before we contract it. Because of this I have had to turn down quite a few proposals for one reason or another. Several of those proposals were by Hal Greenberg, author, game designer, and creator of The Awakened universe. I respect Hal. He’s a great idea man, but it wasn’t until his third proposal that I felt he had a project that was right for eSpec Books. This doesn’t mean his other ideas weren’t good…just that they weren’t a good fit.

The project I took a chance on is The Awakened Modern, a modern-day, urban fantasy collection that draws on the precepts of Hal’s second-world fantasy universe. In The Awakened the stories all take place on the planet Grimaton, which has two moons. The influence of the second moon potentially triggers latent abilities in the people of this world when they turn nineteen. The ability might be a special power, or it might be a bond with an animal.

In Awakened Modern, Grimaton’s second moon breaks away from its orbit and ends up circling planet Earth. Now humanity has to deal with sudden, completely unexpected powers. The only difference is, the changes take place in people of all ages…at least at first, with the new introduction of the second moon.

Hal has brought together an amazing group of authors to populate this new and changing world, Ed Greenwood, James Chambers, Torah Cottrill, Ty Johnston, Drew Bittner, Erik Scott de Bie, Ken Shannon, Walt Ciechanowski, Jennifer Brozek, and…if we hit the right stretch goals, Richard Lee Byers, James M. Ward, and Darren W. Pearce. They are all playing in the same sandbox, bringing their unique perspectives, but with a unity that makes the background universe a character in itself, consistent and aware from story to story.

Am I taking a gamble? A bit, but Hal has already proven The Awakened franchise has feet, and the concept is quite cool, so I speculate, but speculate wisely.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Award-winning author and editor Danielle Ackley-McPhail has worked both sides of the publishing www.especbooks.com).
industry for longer than she cares to admit. In 2014 she joined forces with husband Mike McPhail and friend Greg Schauer to form her own publishing house, eSpec Books (

Her published works include six novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, and Transcendence, the non-fiction writers’ guide, The Literary Handyman, and is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Dragon’s Lure, and In an Iron Cage. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.

She is a member of Broad Universe, a writer’s organization focusing on promoting the works of women authors in the speculative genres.

In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady, at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.

Danielle lives in New Jersey with husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and three extremely spoiled cats. She can be found on Facebook (Danielle Ackley-McPhail) and Twitter (DMcPhail, BadAssFaeries, eSpecBooks, and TheHornieLady).

To learn more about her work, visit www.sidhenadaire.com, www.especbooks.com or www.badassfaeries.com.

The Awakened Modern is currently funding on Kickstarter http://tiny.cc/AwakenedModern

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Sunday Post #167

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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Happy Mother's day! For me, it's nothing special. But I hope it is for all of you!

It's been a rough few weeks here with personality clashes and life happening.

So I skipped last weekend because I was being lazy. I was. I didn't want to move off the couch and dozed off and on to about lunch time, though I was up with the dogs at 7 AM. Then, Kiddo hit us with a whammy. The college that he was so thrilled and happy with, he decided he doesn't want to go there. I have no idea what the 180 turn around in a matter of days was from. He claims he has a bad feeling, that he'll be bored there and not want to do anything with the people there. After talking to him, I wonder if it's, unknowing to him, fear of the unknown. A touch of cold feet with leaving home. He wouldn't go far, only an hour and twenty minutes away. But he wants to go to a local college that's closer. And it's a wonderful school as well, it was the one I was pleased with academically and staff wise in helping us. He says he won't play football there though.

Baseball season has started. *fall dead* I don't go with Kiddo to his practices, he's driving and old enough now to go on his own. But I do go to games. And take pictures. :)

Balticon is getting close! I'll be heading there for Memorial weekend. I may not have money to eat, but I'm going! lol.

With all this going on, I'm starting to get anxious. I have a photo scrap type book I'm working on for kiddo for graduation, my current read (which I'm loving when I'm reading) is going slow because all going on and said photo book. And I have a book I have to get to before end of month for work purposes. It's all cramming together! Eep! I need to breath, but so much happening at one time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... This week I only cut grass. The previous week I got more in, with gym. But I don't remember. My brain is about fried.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Slipspace: Harbinger by P.C. Haring

Current Audiobook:
Hound's Bite by E.J. Stevens

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!)


Finished Last Week: 
Cursed Moon by Jaye Wells

Audiobooks from Audible:
Stone Cold Bastard by Jake Bible
The Science of Supervillainy by C.T. Phipps


Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing yet.


DNFed:

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)



Guest Posts:



Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
Nothing new last week. I have pictures to touch up and share, but time has not been sharing lately.

Challenged Writers:
March Update on writer-ly items, with a picture of book working on.


Around the Internet...


Reviews:
Agent G: Infiltrator by C.T. Phipps

"C.T. is known for pulling the cool and neat elements from spy and action movies to bring together in his own story and adds his own flare to them. I enjoy the twists he creates with a humor to it all."

Gilded Cage by Sherry D. Ficklin

"Speakeasies, flapper dresses, alcohol, gangsters, danger, love, and more all in one place."


Fire Water by Jaye Wells

"This was a nice novella to get a glimpse at the world Kate lives in and her motivations. If you are looking for a quick sample, give it a try."


Magic Undying by Linsey Hall

"...I very much liked Del's new powers and where she comes to. It's an easy urban fantasy story with a sweet romance blooming, just like with Cass."


Podcast Review:




Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:
STILL TIME TO ENTER: (ends today!)
Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza - 5 winners. You pick 1 of 2 audiobooks offered.

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:


I have two reviews finished and scheduled.

Mythical Monday posts are now on hiatus until next year.


~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:
(Note: Links to Amazon are buy links where I could earn commission, in case you are interested.)


For Review Consideration:




Audio Books Requested for Review:
Hound's Bite by E.J. Stevens
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Ivy Granger thought she left the worst of Mab's creations behind when she escaped Faerie. She thought wrong.

In a cruel twist of fate, Ivy has unleashed a powerful horde of Unseelie beasts upon her city, turning her homecoming into a potential slaughter of innocents. Now Ivy must gather her allies to fight a reputedly unstoppable force—The Wild Hunt.

Will the training Ivy received in her father's court be enough to save her city, or will Harborsmouth be forced to kneel before the Lord of the Hunt? She is willing to risk her own life, but some sacrifices come at a cost worse than death. When an ally is bitten by one of The Wild Hunt's hounds, Ivy must face the possibility that winning this battle may mean killing the one person she has come to love most.

Hound's Bite is the fifth full-length novel in the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. The Ivy Granger series has won numerous awards, including the BTS Red Carpet Award for Best Novel, the PRG Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Urban Fantasy Series.


Villains Rule by M.K. Gibson
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Hi, how are you?

Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of the this book’s description. It’s rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. OK, I get it, 4th wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to read. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain’s tale.

How often do you get to read a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain’s villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher’s complex.

This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.

Because, that is what villains should do, shouldn’t they? Read this book, have a few laughs, and find out.
 

Heart of Gold by J.A. Cipriano & J.B. Garner
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
My name is Frank Butcher, and when I got out of my truck to deliver the last package of the day, I never expected to get blown up by anti-magic zealots.

Yeah, you heard me right. I said magic. I didn't know it was a thing either.

Now, an ancient artifact is the only thing keeping me alive, and to make matters worse, that artifact is what those cultists wanted.

Still, I could have made a run for it, disappeared down into South America and spent the rest of my life on a beach. I nearly did it, but I didn't.

Why? Because the cultists have offered me a trade. Come to them or they start killing kids.


Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:
Summoned to Rule by C.L. Walker
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
When anarchy reigns supreme, Agmundr must unite sworn supernatural enemies before they tear the world apart…
Agmundr has a new group of masters: the angels whose heavens he recently obliterated. Charged with carving out a new home for his past foes, the ancient warrior is the only one who can lead them through pandemonium. As he witnesses battles in the streets, Agmundr realizes the culprit of unrest is none other than the god of chaos himself.
With an endless clash surrounding him, Agmundr attempts to lead the angels to a new home. But when the god of chaos controls the minds of even his closest allies, the warrior has no choice but to confront his enemy. If he fails to defeat the powerful god, then he may do more than lose. He may lose control over the destructive inner wrath he’s kept bottled up for centuries…
Summoned to Rule is the third book in a series of captivating dark urban fantasy novels. If you like supernatural characters, covert conspiracies, and larger-than-life battles, then you’ll love CL Walker’s tale of a cursed god fighting back.
Bewitched & Beloved by Barbara Devlin & Ellen Dugan
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
From USA Today bestselling, Amazon All-Star Author Barbara Devlin and award-winning author Ellen Dugan comes a crossover event of two beloved series: The Pirates of the Coast and The Legacy of Magick.

The magick of love is timeless...

A ROMANCE FROM THE PAST: THE BUCCANEER
Armed with magickal gifts, Francie Osborne is a housekeeper by day and a witch by night. Ex-pirate Cager Tyne remains a conqueror, seeking something to soothe his restless soul. What happens when a brazen buccaneer develops a taste for virgin flesh?

A CONTEMPORARY LOVE AFFAIR FATED BY HISTORY: THE HIDDEN LEGACY
What could possibly go wrong when Hannah Osborne Pogue, a modern Witch sworn to keep her magickal legacy hidden from outsiders, and Detective Henry Walker, a charming southern scoundrel fall for each other? Just about everything under the moon and stars.

Unleash by Lauren Harris
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Craving a gritty, kickass heroine? If you like guns, magic, & heartbreaking drama, you NEED this book! Get the book reviewers are calling "Visceral" & "At times hilarious and heartbreaking"
Orphaned. Hunted. Pissed as hell.

Helena Martin doesn't know who she hates more, the sorcerers who fired the magic-laced bullet or the gang-lord master who used her mother as a shield. It's not the price she expected for escaping magical slavery, nor is the unstable power now pulsing in her veins.

Caught between her former master's hunters and the Guild Sorcerers determined to kill them, she finds a safe haven at a dog rescue willing to take in a different kind of stray. But Helena's newly-unleashed power is a beacon for her enemies. And they're threatening the first place she's ever thought of as home.

Audio:
An Apple for the Creature
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
What could be scarier than the first day of school? How about a crash course in the paranormal from Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner, editors of Home Improvement: Undead Edition? Your worst school nightmares—taking that math test you never studied for, finding yourself naked in school assembly, not knowing which door to enter—will pale in comparison to these thirteen original stories that take academic anxiety to whole new realms. 

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris’s story, "Playing Possum," Sookie Stackhouse brings enough birthday cupcakes for her nephew's entire class but finds she's one short when the angry ex-boyfriend of the school secretary shows up. 

When her guardian, Kate Daniels, sends her undercover to a school for exceptional children, teenaged Julie learns an all-new definition of "exceptional," in New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews's "Magic Tests." 

For those who like fangs with their forensics, New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder offers "VSI," in which FBI agent Claire is tested as never before in a school for Vampire Scene Investigation. 

And in New York Times bestselling author Thomas Sniegoski's "The Bad Hour," Remy Chandler and his dog Marlowe find evil unleashed in an obedience school. 

You'll need more than an apple to stave off the creatures in these and nine other stories. Remember your first lesson: resistance is fruitless! 

Includes stories by: ILONA ANDREWS, AMBER BENSON, RHYS BOWEN, MIKE CAREY, CHARLAINE HARRIS, DONALD HARSTAD, STEVE HOCKENSMITH, NANCY HOLDER, FAITH HUNTER, TONI L.P. KELNER, MARJORIE LIU, JONATHAN MABERRY, THOMAS SNIEGOSKI



Free Ebooks:
(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
Water and Fire by Demelza Carlton
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A steamy contemporary medical romance involving a sexy doctor, a naughty nurse, a midwife on a mission and a mysterious predator in Albany, Western Australia. 

Working as a student midwife in an Australian country hospital is never easy, but Belinda finds more trouble than most.
There's the intern doctor who follows her around like an overgrown puppy, the dangerous local wildlife and her own secrets she must keep. 
When she finds herself without a place to live, what else can possibly go wrong? 
Or is it time for something to go right? 

Major Arcana by Margo Bond Collins



Unjust by Lauren Harris
Goodreads Synopsis:
Charles Martin is happy. He's got a seaworthy boat, passports in countries from Canada to Chile, and no blood sorcerers howling at his back . Plus, he's found a smokin' hot wife and adorable daughter to share it with.

He thinks they're safe from the violent magic in his past, at least long enough for his wife to finish her degree. One calm night on a Miami sound, he discovers how wrong he was...and it's his family that will suffer for it.


The Star Agency by R.E. Weber
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
"So many of us dream of another life – a life of excitement and danger.

What if, in the darkest depths of despair, you suddenly had a chance to live that life?

Would you have the courage to chase that dream, even if you had to leave your friends, family and everything you knew behind? 

Would you take that chance?

Theopolis James Logan is about to get that chance. 

The Universe is about to come knocking on his door."

The Star Agency is book 1 of The Star Agency Chronicles, an Interstellar secret agent adventure aimed at readers aged 10 and above.

The Voyages of the Seven by R.E. Weber
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Seven: the first wave of humanity among the stars. 

Theopolis James Logan is finally living his long-cherished dream. Whisked away from his mundane life on Earth - along with six other gifted teenagers - by an alliance of peaceful, alien civilisations known as The Affinity, he has forged a life of excitement and wonder on another world. To his friends, he is a technical specialist, adept in the use of super-advanced technology. However, in secret, he is a covert operative for The Star Agency: the Affinity’s secret service, defending the galaxy against the shadowy forces of the Metah Dah, the Affinity’s sworn enemy. 

For centuries, the Star Agency has helped maintain a fragile peace, but when a devastatingly powerful secret weapon is lost, presumed stolen, it sets in motion a chain of events, pushing the Affinity towards the brink of war and plunging the seven human friends into a nerve-shredding battle for survival. Can they survive in a universe more dangerous and unpredictable than they can possibly imagine, or will the dark forces of the enemy triumph, tearing the Affinity apart?

Bad Magic: 10 Novels of Demons, Djinn, Witches, Warlocks, Vampires, and Gods Gone Rogue
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Bad magic can be so good ... 

These 10 full-length novels of paranormal romance and urban fantasy will keep you on the edge of your seat and up past the witching hour. Black magic, adventure, and romance … they’re all here. 

Something this good can’t last forever … download this set before it’s gone! 

About the Books: 

Chosen by Christine Pope 
When a fatal fever nearly wipes out the entire world's population, the survivors of what became known as "the Dying" believe the worst is in the past ...  

Dead Rising by Debra Dunbar 
Solaria Ainsworth was born a Templar, destined to take up the mantle of responsibility and duty as her family’s Order had done for hundreds of years. 
Except she refuses to take her Oath of Knighthood. 

Hidden Blade by Pippa DaCosta 
Kicked out of the underworld and cursed to walk this Earth for all eternity, Ace Dante is not the hero New York needs, but when Egyptian gods start killing, Ace is the city’s only defense. 
 

Wolves by C. Gockel 
When Amy prays for help, Loki the Norse God of Mischief and Chaos isn’t the savior she has in mind.
 

Bitter Ashes by Sara C. Roethle 
She’s not their long lost fairy princess, she’s their executioner. Legends of Norse Myth and Necromancy collide in this fast-paced Urban Fantasy with a dark romantic twist. 

The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer 
For 5 years, Charlie has lived as a boy in the slums, but when she's arrested, her only means of escape lies with raising the dead. Now people are hunting her for her necromancy, but only one man succeeds in capturing her: a man known as Death, as compelling as he is frightening. 

Nefertiti’s Heart by A.W. Exley 
1861. In a steam and mechanically powered London, feisty Cara Devon uses her dead father's secret notebook as a guide in her pursuit of powerful ancient artifacts. 

Lost Wolf by Stacy Claflin 
She’s hiding a dark secret. It already killed her once. 

Thunder Hunter by Rachel Medhurst 
For Thor to Live, Thunder Hunter must die. For a thousand years, Thor's power has been inside Trygger. Can he finally defeat the Fallen Ones to give it back? 

Sorceress Awakening by Lisa Blackwood 
When Lillian finds herself facing off against vampires, help comes from an unlikely source—the stone gargoyle who has been sleeping in her garden. In a heartbeat, her ordinary life becomes far more complicated, and if her overprotective, shape-shifting guardian is to be believed, there’s an evil demi-goddess just waiting for the chance to enslave them both. 

The Glass Gargoyle by Marie Andreas
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Archeologist Taryn St. Giles has spent her life mining the ruins of the elves who vanished from the Four Kingdoms a thousand years ago. But when her patrons begin disappearing too—and then turning up dead—she finds herself unemployed, restless, and desperate. So she goes looking for other missing things: as a bounty hunter.

Tracking her first fugitive—the distractingly handsome and strangely charming Alric—she unearths a dangerous underworld of warring crime lords, demonic squirrels, and a long-lost elven artifact capable of unleashing a hell on earth.

Chased, robbed, kidnapped, and distressingly low on rent money, Taryn just wants one quiet beer and to catch her fugitive. But there’s more to Alric than his wicked grin—is he a wanted man or the city’s only hope? With menacing mages in pursuit and her three alcoholic faery sidekicks always in her hair, Taryn’s curiosity might finally solve the mystery of the elves… or be the death of her and destroy her world.
 

Awaken: Sleeping Beauty Retold by Demelza Carlton
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A sleeping beauty. A kingdom frozen in time. Only one can save them all.
Once upon a time...
Lord Siward intended to go hunting, but when he stumbles upon a ruined castle and accidentally wakes the mysterious maiden sleeping inside, he knows his holiday is over.
With the kingdom in trouble, Siward should be protecting the realm, but every time Rosamond looks at him, he gets lost in the girl's green eyes. Who is the mysterious beauty, and why does he feel she holds the key to the kingdom's deliverance?

I Wish I Weren't a Djinn by Erin Hayes
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
All she wishes for is freedom. 

After being trapped inside her bottle for so long she has forgotten her own name, a djinni is summoned by a young man who needs his wishes to come true as much as hers. 

The hardest part is proving to him that she has the power to grant them. He simply has to believe her enough to ask.

Sun of the God by Kimberly Loth
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
She’s a crown princess running for her life. He’s desperately trying to save his kingdom from annihilation. After being enemies for so long, they must depend on one another or risk a war that could kill them all. 

Enter a world where some never see the light of day and others cannot fathom the dark of night. 

With breathless romance, unexpected betrayal, and a ruthless hidden dictator, this incredible fantasy will leave you begging for more….

The Sun God's Heir by Elliott Baker
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Sun God's Heir is a swashbuckling series, set at the end of the seventeenth century in France, Spain and northern Africa. Slavery is a common plague along the European coast and into this wild time, an ancient Egyptian general armed with dark arts has managed to return and re-embody, intent on recreating the reign of terror he began as Pharaoh. René Gilbert must remember his own lifetime at the feet of Akhenaten to have a chance to defeat Horemheb. A secret sect has waited in Morocco for three thousand years for his arrival.


Free Audio Books/Stories:


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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron
The Sentinel by Chris Lester
The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone
Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones
The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
Ghosts of Empire by Terry Mixon
Cursed Moon by Jaye Wells
Stone Cold Bastard by Jake Bible
The Science of Supervillainy by C.T. Phipps