Matchmaking with the Goddess of Love – Out of Practice Aphrodite by S E Babin

Posted on March 27, 2014 by fundinmental

The cover and title of Out of Practice Aphrodite by S E Babin had me smiling.

I love mythology and have read a few books about the Gods and Godessess lately, so Out of Practice Aphrodite jumped out at me.

Follow me as we learn more with an excerpt and guest post about the characters. Be sure and enter the fantastic giveaway at the end of the post.

Out of Practice Aphrodite (Book 1 of The Naughty Goddess Chronicles)

by S.E. Babin

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BLURB

Abby’s major screw-up brings the wrath of Zeus upon her head. He offers her a choice – work for him or spend the rest of her days hanging out in Hades with her ex-husband. For Abby, this choice is a no-brainer, especially when Zeus says the only thing he wants her to do is make a love match.

She’s the Goddess of Love. What could go wrong?

Everything.

Abby stumbles into an ex-lover, a dead demi-god and the realization that a crucial relic has been stolen right out from underneath Zeus’ nose. Eris, the Goddess of Chaos and Discord, is behind the theft and murder and the faltering powers Abby is trying to keep secret. With Zeus breathing down her neck, she’ll need to keep her wits about her as she races against the clock and Zeus’ imposed two-week time period.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Not only is she struggling with a budding attraction to a sexy lawman and feelings for long-time friend, Hermes, she’s also trying to keep everyone out of the path of a vengeful goddess while saving the Earth and Olympus from the reign of a tyrant. What’s a goddess to do when the fate of the world rests upon her fashionable shoulders?

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EXCERPT

“Aphrodite. You’ve committed a grievous error and your attempt to show unconcern is failing you miserably.” Leaning down perilously close, he pushed his face into mine. Inhaling, he bared his teeth at me in a menacing grin. My heart skittered like prey when he reached out an elegant finger and tipped my chin up. I was forced to meet his eyes. Pools of emerald glittered dangerously, and I began to remember the reason Zeus still remained in power after so many millennia. My stomach churned in fear, and I wondered if this were the one battle I wouldn’t be able to escape.

“You know how I know, golden one? I can smell your fear. Sweet. Like sunshine and tears.”

I felt tears swimming to the surface and cursed my weakness. This was not good. I had screwed up over the years but had never faced more punishment than a slight slap on the wrist. Mistakenly assuming I held the favor of Zeus might be the last error I ever made.

I licked my lips nervously. “I–I understand,” I managed to choke out. “It won’t happen again.” And for once I meant it. Zeus had always been patient and had dealt with me much as a doting father would have, rather than how he normally handled others who had made less grievous errors in judgment. But now I could see the promise of punishment swimming in his gaze. It was something that terrified me more than I wanted to admit.

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GUEST POST – CHARACTERS

I love hearing about the characters and which is the author’s favorite, so my topic for S E Babin was her take on the characters in her book and who is her favorite.

Thanks so much for hosting me today!

I am excited to have you here, Sheryl.

I think I’m going to delve into the characters today. They’re always the most fun to write, but also the most difficult to flesh out. I love all of my characters, but Artemis happens to be my favorite. The focus in my debut is mostly all about Abby, but as the series progresses Artemis will get some more screen time.

Keto was a happy accident. I signed up for the beginner’s writing workshop at the 2012 Romantic Times Booklover’s convention and part of that class was receiving feedback from a published author in your genre. Since I was at a romance convention, and this book was a mixed-genre mystery, there were no authors that wrote in my field.

However, the author who gave me feedback still gave me some fantastic suggestions. And one of those suggestions was to add a character into Abby’s bedroom when she wakes up so there can be dialogue between them. Otherwise, it can get boring. She was absolutely right. Adding Keto in gave the book a spice it didn’t have before and allowed me to create someone who would be a nice cold bucket of water when Abby got too crazy.

Keto is a mysterious sort, and as the book progresses Abby realizes her friend has been keeping all sorts of secrets. I don’t delve into them too much in this novel, but things will be hitting the fan in the second book because all eyes are on Keto for a while. We figure out his origins and some of his past relationships. I even surprised myself with what happens with him…

And then we have Artemis. I adore her. She’s sort of frazzled and geeky, but she is also politically savvy when she needs to be. Not that she always is because sometimes she can insert her foot directly into her mouth with disastrous results. She speaks the truth even when no one else wants to hear it. Artie will also get more screen time in the next book. I’ve written a scene where Artemis goes completely crazy on someone who richly deserves it. And it isn’t pretty.

And to close up, there’s Hermes. Le sigh. He’s so sexy…and sweet…and genuine. Why Abby doesn’t snap him up right away is beyond me. I can’t always keep a reign on her. He’s super witty and fun-loving, but he is also serious and kind. He will be back in the next book, too. And he’ll also be a wrench in someone’s supposedly happy relationship. *wink wink*

After reading about your charcters, I find myself having to know what is so special about Artemis. Thanks, Sheryl, for stopping in and sharing all your wonderful characters with us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheryl has had a book in her hands pretty much from the time she could hold things with her hands. Her love of reading turned into a curious exploration to see whether or not she could write her own. Beginning with random, terrible poetry and a slightly popular reimagining of Beowulf’s Grendel in her high school English class, Sheryl ended up spending way too much time in the library, killing any chance of her becoming a cheerleader or anything even remotely cool.

Sheryl has a fondness for humorous, lighthearted stories but also secretly covets bad-ass leather wearing chicks who curse too much. It helps if they’re funny, too. She writes a little bit of everything but is currently focusing on light paranormal mysteries. Visit her at http://sebabin.com/.

Twitter – @hungrybiblio / Facebook / Website – http://sebabin.com/

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GIVEAWAY

The author will be awarding a chocolate/coffee/wine-themed gift basket (US only) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

“Do you have a favorite God or Goddess?”

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found by clicking on the image below:

To grab your copy of Out of Practice Aphrodite (Book 1 of The Naughty Goddess Chronicles) or to learn more about S.E. Babin, click on the cover below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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

Book Tour Giveaway for Blaze of Glory by M Garzon

Posted on March 25, 2014 by fundinmental

I think horses are some of the most beautiful creatures, so I could not resist being a part of the tour for Blaze of Glory by M Garzon.

Blaze of Glory by M. Garzon

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BLURB

“The first book in the popular trilogy, soon to be a major new television series!

Some fires can consume you.

Last year, I had it all. Two jumpers on the show circuit, a lot of wins, and a lot of attention – the good kind. But now I have nothing. My life is circling the drain. The only spark of light that exists for me is my new, forbidden passion. If my stepfather finds out, he will kill me. My twin brother, my only blood relative in the world, has already begged me not to. But I can’t help myself. If it can’t be horses, it has to be this…”

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EXCERPT

I squished my way through the water-soaked grass to the pasture. The sudden downpour had cooled the air, and I shivered slightly in my wet clothes. The worst of the storm seemed to be over, and when I reached the pasture fence I paused, debating whether I needed to bring the horses in. The rain had abated to a fine drizzle, and there hadn’t been any lightning or thunder since I’d left the barn. It was such a relief to escape the tense atmosphere there that I lingered, leaning on the fence and watching the dark wet patches creeping down the horses’ coats.

I didn’t hear the footsteps until they were right behind me. I knew whose they were without turning; only Jaden’s presence would raise the hairs on my body like that.

“Tea,” he said my name like a caress.

I was about to duck away, but he knew me too well—his hands shot out and gripped the fence board on either side of me, though he didn’t touch me, of course. He was so close now that I could feel the heat from his body searing the back of mine, but this heat made me shiver all the more.

“How long are you planning on not talking to me?” His voice was subdued.

I shrugged. I felt, rather than heard, his sigh.

“You’re angry with me.”

He was wrong about that. It wasn’t anger that was making me avoid him, it was self preservation.

“I don’t blame you. I know I’ve made a mess of things. I came to give you a choice… I was planning to leave at the end of the season.” He paused, but my brain was already frozen. As though it couldn’t process the word ‘leave’. “But if you’d rather I left now, I’ll understand. I’ll find a spot for my horses closer to Toronto.”

My chest constricted painfully, and my breath started coming in sharp, raw gasps. Either way, he would be gone. My only option was whether to prolong my suffering. It was always the same impossible choice: the pain of his presence versus the torture of his absence. I didn’t say anything. I don’t think I could have spoken even if I’d wanted to.

“Let me know what you decide,” he continued quietly. He hesitated, then dropped his head close to mine; I felt the zing of current from my face down to my shoulder. He whispered his parting line in my ear.

“I miss you.”

I waited until his footsteps faded to surrender to the wracking sobs, and they shook me for a long time before I pulled myself together and went back to work.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. Garzon rode horses professionally for ten years, until an injury prompted a career change. She returned to school and completed a BSc; then for good measure, an MBA. After several years of toiling as a business consultant, she turned to writing in a desperate bid to regain her sanity. A mom of two fabulous children, she lives in St Lazare, QC and considers herself extremely lucky to be a writer.

Website / Facebook / Amazon

(also available on Kobo, NOOK, and iBooks)

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos The author will be awarding the entire trilogy on Kindle or Kobo (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found by clicking on the image below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Sherry’s Shelves #5

Posted on March 24, 2014 by fundinmental

.Sherry’s Shelves #4 is my weekly update, where I will recap what I have been doing the past week: March 16 – March 22, 2014.

Sunday Post is Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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Stacking the Shelves is Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Bought, Borrowed and Bagged is Hosted by TalkSupe

*all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)*

if listed as free, please check for the “0″

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Picked up for free from Amazon

The Cold Pools by Chris Ward

The Watcher (The Bigler County Romantic Thriller Series) by Jo Robertson

Some People Die Quick (The Jay Leicester Mystery Series)

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Gifted

9 More Killer Thrillers (Kindle Edition) by Russell Blake

Deadly Road and When The Dead Whisper by Tara Neideffer

Paperback copies from the Author (have already reviewed)

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Received for Review

Dragonfly by Charles A Cornell

Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby

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WON

Post Apocalyptic Overalls from I Smell Sheep

A pair of overalls, similar to the ones that the scavs in Empty Cradle wear. These overalls have been upcycled, Detroit-style, with contrasting-color cuffs from the knees down.

A physical copy of The Last Prospector by Cairn Rodrigues won from Masquerade Crew

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Last week on fundinmental

My Adventures #9 – I’m a little bit Country – 2014 Night Train Tour

Sherry’s Shelves #4

Book Blast Giveaway for Summoned by Rainy Kaye

My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling – Tour & Giveaway

Blitz Tour for The Cowboy and the Vampire by Hays & McFall

Fantastic News – The Core Shadow Trilogy by Kristine Mason in a Boxed Set

Dangerous Lovers Release Day Blitz & Giveaway

Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Muller – Review & Giveaway

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This week on fundinmental

I never know what might pop up, so upcoming events are always subject to change.

Dangerous Lovers Release Day Blitz & Giveaway

Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Muller – Review & Giveaway

Blaze of Glory by M Garzon

Out of Practice Aphrodite by S E Babin

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Muller – Review & Giveaway

Posted on March 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Voodoo and the Louisiana Bayou, how could I pass this up?

BLURB

A frantic phone call leads Detective Remy Steinberg racing through the night toward the one place he vowed never to return. With the life of his kidnapped daughter at stake, he willingly faces shotgun-wielding drug dealers, corrupt law-enforcement officials, and a raging hurricane.

Scouring the seedy back alleys of New Orleans for information, he goes undercover at a sinister voodoo ceremony, and struggles to understand the forces of black magic that hold his daughter hostage.

With time ticking down, he battles for his life against a high voodoo priest, but can he face the two things he fears most: the swamp that terrorized his childhood, and the ex-wife he’s never stopped loving?

Buy it Here

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EXCERPT

Detective Remy Steinberg glared at his phone. No good could come from answering this late on a Friday afternoon, but he still had ten minutes left on his shift. It was one thing to slip out when you finished your work, but to turn his back on a ringing phone . . .

“Homicide, Steinberg.” Maybe it was one of the guys in the back, playing a joke on him.

“Remy?”

Shoot. Ball Breaker Number One. What could she want? He’d mailed his child support payment in plenty of time.

“Gabrielle, what is it? I’m just leaving the office.”

“Adrienne didn’t come home from school today.”

“She’s sixteen, Gabby. She can’t be more than an hour late. Cut the girl some slack.”

“She’s seventeen, which you’d know if you paid her any attention. And she hasn’t been missing for an hour. She’s been missing for over thirty hours.”

His heart caught in his throat and he couldn’t speak for several seconds. In his job, he’d seen what could happen to a young girl in that length of time. He might not be the world’s best dad, but he was her dad just the same.

He tightened his grip on the phone. What had happened to his daughter? He wanted to believe she was getting into the same sort of mischief he was at that age, but something in his gut told him her disappearance was far more sinister.

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My Review of Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Miller

The title gripped me from the very beginning. I love reading about the Louisiana bayou and voodoo. Nice cover, too. The swamp, gators and snakes – I can smell the rot of vegetation, hear the slaps of the gators tails and the hissing of the snakes. I feel anticipation as I pick up the book and begin to read, knowing the story to be told is dark and horrific.

Adrienne would be kidnapped, drugged and used in a voodoo ritual, all the while Hurricane Addie is heading straight for them all. She struggles to survive, believing her father will save her. Why did they want her? What evil do they have planned for her?

Remy is a cop in Texas, not Louisiana, but when his seventeen year old daughter goes missing, someone will have to pay.

Remy describes himself as a Yankee, coon-ass, redneck cop. He has an issue with his lack of height and assumes a persona for whatever locale he lives in (in Texas he’s a cowboy, in Louisiana he’s a bayou boy). His awful experience as a child in the swamp has never left him. He wanted nothing to with Louisiana and felt the people were backward, poor and superstitious.

He knew the small town cops with their bayou attitude would be hard to work with, but it was even worse than that. Every time he turned around in his investigation he ran into a Guidry. Did they control everything? Would they even look for her? Are they corrupt? Are they involved with the drug gang, or worse – dark voodoo? With no skills and terror dogging his steps, I know he will have to go into the swamp to get her back.

Gabby’s Grandmere had practiced good voodoo, but there was dark magic taking over the swamp. Gabby felt a sense of relief when Remy arrived, knowing he would stop at nothing to get there daughter back. They both carried guilt and blame for the events that tore them apart, but she began to see him in a new light as he investigated Adrienne’s disappearance. Would this bring them closer together? Could this be their second chance? Do you believe in second chances?

They had a failure to communicate. Maybe if they talked about it things would have been different. Their thoughts go back and forth as they try to figure out what when wrong. It made Remy and Gabby seemed so real to me. How often do we keep out thoughts to ourselves, our fears and insecurities making us afraid of what may happen if we put our feelings out there, showing our vulnerabilities.

I fell in love with Reuben. He had a sixth sense or is it more? If he believed Adrienne was alive, then Remy did too. He’s a Romanian Gypsy fortuneteller. I would love for him to have his own book. What do you think Susan?

I was shaking in my boots, just like Adrienne. The stagnant, rotten smells and the sounds of tails slapping on the water, the slithering of the snakes and being all alone in the dark. I can only imagine the terror she must have felt, afraid to even step outside, especially at night. The gators are out and they are hungry. And it’s hot, so hot.

I loved what happened to Sebastian, the High Priest of dark voodoo. I laughed out loud and thought, well done. I became so proud of Adrienne and Gabby. When push came to shove, they both stepped up and showed how people can do what is necessary when they feel they must.

Even though I know how it will end, I have tears in my eyes as I read it. I do so love a happy ending.

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend To Others

Quotes

“It’s easy to sit here and laugh at ideas you don’t understand, but I have to believe there are things in this world that defy logic.”

The gun might be more useful where he was going than a cookie.Throwing a cookie at an alligator wouldn’t be much help.

“He has to look out his window for the weather rock, tied on a string. If it’s wet, it’s raining. If it’s swinging, the wind is blowing.”

I received an ARC ebook in return for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan C. Muller is a fourth generation Texan. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she majored in Business Administration. She started her first novel at age eleven, but it wasn’t until after she had worked many years and raised a family that she returned to her first love, writing. She is a member of Northwest Houston RWA, Kiss of Death online RWA, and The Houston Writers Guild. Her novel, The Secrets on Forest Bend, has won several awards.

Susan and her husband, Sid, live in Spring, Texas with their rescue dog, Buster, a 120 pound black lab of advanced age. They have two children and four grandchildren. They love to travel and have been fortunate to see much of the world. Her favorite places include Kenya, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. When not writing, she can be found doing volunteer work at a local hospital. She loves to read, travel, snorkel and take long walks.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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To get your copy of Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte or learn more about Susan C Miller, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

Susan will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

“Do you believe in Voodoo?”

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Click on the image below to follow the tour.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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

Dangerous Lovers Release Day Blitz & Giveaway

Posted on March 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Some of my favorite authors are on this tour for Dangerous Lovers, so I felt I had to share all these wonderful novels. I am sure you will recognize a name or two.

Which is your favorite?

Buy it Here

Six sizzling tales of adventure, love, and falling for the wrong one.

Buy Links: Smashwords / Amazon

Click on the cover above to get your Amazon copy.

Synopsis

When her home is attacked by murderous vampires, 17-year-old Alexa is forced to leave her mother for dead in order to save her sister. She soon learns that she is the last known member of an elite race of supernatural Warriors, and is thrust into a world full of vampires and werewolves who all seem to regard her as some sort of savior. Meanwhile, Alexa battles a monster within herself that seeks to gain control; a monster that seeks blood.

The hidden city she finds herself in appears perfect, but Alexa’s instincts tell her that all is not right within its walls. When she is asked to attend a school of fighters, whose exams consist of gladiator-style competitions, she must decide who she can trust among the smiling faces. And, when she meets Kayden, a vampire she feels undeniably drawn to, she must decide if she can trust herself.

About the Author

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

Stalker Links:

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter: hd_gordon / Amazon / Website

Click on the cover above for your Amazon copy.

Synopsis

Unfathomable forces have always contested Genevieve Indiana Falcon, known as Indie. The curse of her cold touch entraps her just as the grief ignited in her past torments her. Yet, her mysterious ability to dream while awake saturates her in the belief that she was not always anguished. There is hope that one day a true peace in her soul can be found.

Foolishly, Indie assumes she has contained her life in an odd balance, and she cherishes the visions she sees of the enigmatic boy that held her in a lost time, but can never reach. She grieves for a life she fears she’ll never possess, and that grief is a weapon she uses against her aunt who stands between her and her inheritance. Weeks away from her twenty-first birthday, the date where she would assume control over her family legacy, a night terror robs Indie of the balance she was clinging to. Like the dream she had before she lost her family, it predicts a fatal catastrophe on the horizon. The fight between life and death, good and evil, began the moment her thundering heart awoke her. Everything changed after that dream. The one thing that keeps her curse at bay is stolen, and then the enigmatic boy arrives in the flesh. Face to face with her fiery born-again lover Indie realizes that the only way she can prevent the tragedy before her is to surrender everything she was, is, and could be. Can she bend the laws of nature and fight the improbability that fire and ice could ever be one? As far as Indie is concerned, there is not a myth, spoken fate, or curse that is stronger than her stubborn desire to have it all … including him. The Rivulet series can be read on its own or as #11 in the Web of Hearts and Souls Series.

About the Author

Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

Stalker Links:

Goodreads: / Facebook / @Jamie_Magee_ / Amazon / Website

Click on the cover below to get your copy Amazon copy.

Synopsis:

All’s fair in love and war.

Two thirds of the world’s population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both? *This book is for mature audiences due to sexual situations, violence and strong language. NA

About the Author:

I am an author of YA novels, as well as, and most importantly, a mother to my two beautiful children!

Stalker Links:

Goodreads / Facebook / @jmstalder / Amazon / Website

Click on the cover to get your Amazon copy.

Synopsis

Life or Death? Not many people would choose death. But what if death chooses you? What if death doesn’t mean the end of your life, but the beginning?

For a Death Escort, death is life. Death is your paycheck. Death is your job. And Charming is the best Escort the Grim Reaper has ever had. But when you piss off the Reaper, being the best doesn’t matter. So Charming is assigned a Target who is practically impossible to kill. He knows the Reaper hopes he fails—that he’s counting on it. So Charming vows to prove him wrong. He vows to make the kill. But someone else vows to get in his way. Someone with a big mouth, a sugar habit, and blond hair. Someone who makes his heart start beating again. And so Charming is left holding more than one person’s fate in the palm of his hand. He thought the choice would be easy, that there really wasn’t a question at all. He was wrong. Life or Death?

About the Author

Cambria Hebert is a latte sipping author of the Heven & Hell series, the Death Escorts series, and the Take It Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

Stalker Links:

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Website

Click on the cover to get your copy from Amazon

Synopsis

Attention: This is an ADULT Book!

Dark Waltz–A sizzling legend of loss, lust and love.

It’s the year 2030 and the human population has been annihilated by a virulent form of small pox. Liasare Davidson is desperately searching for her brother, who has been missing for three months. It’s been eighteen years since she was evacuated from Earth and she is horrified to see it’s become a cesspool of unimaginable things.

In her quest to find her brother, she meets Jurek, a powerful and enigmatic being that frightens her, yet she is unable to resist. When things begin to unfold between them, they both discover a paralyzing truth that puts Liasare at grave risk. She must make a choice to join Jurek and find her brother or fulfill a role she believes she is ill equipped to undertake.

About the Author

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings and reEmergent), Dark Waltz, Tragically Flawed, Tragic Desires and Exquisite Betrayal.

Other than being in love with being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

(If you’re wondering, it didn’t happen EXACTLY that way, but….)

Stalker Links:

Goodreads / Facebook / @Amhargrove1 / Amazon / Website

Click on the cover to get your Amazon copy

Synopsis

There are some beings in this world, long thought to be extinct. Some seek to protect them, others want control, but some . . . some are hell bent on their destruction.

Audrey was taken from her father, hidden away from the world, and tortured for five years. She was rescued, but is she really safe, or is there someone else waiting to betray her? Can she trust those who saved her? Can she learn to accept who she really is?

Stone was on a routine mission to extract valuable information from a rival clan of paranormals. Instead, he and his team find something much more valuable: a scarred, damaged young woman who holds many secrets, and whose power is beyond anything they could ever have imagined.There is much more to Audrey than meets the eye and Stone is determined to protect her.

Audrey and Stone are about to find out it’s hard to know who to trust.

(New Adult, contains language and sexual content. 18+)

About the Author

Head Reviewer @ The Violet Hour Book Reviews

Oh jeez…do you know how many people I told I didn’t want to write this? So here is the one my friend made me:

Becca Vincenza lives in wonderful Michigan. She has a love for Skittles, rainbows, Star Wars, *giggles* and Hot Men. She spends time in her basement with Airicka… Apparently that’s where the best ideas come from.

Any who….she loves meeting new people, so feel free to message her on Facebook and friend her on Goodreads!

Although her phone number will not be given out because, well…she doesn’t like heavy breathing.

So a sort of serious one: For real, I am a geek. I grew up watching Star Wars, and my father read Lord of the Rings to us, along with the C. S. Lewis series. I love to write. In all honesty, it took me a lot of work to get where I am today and I don’t regret a moment of it. Reading and writing are honestly the best things ever. I couldn’t be happier that my parents put me through so much extra help. Anyways! Me, me, me…. Huh…I love paranormal stuff…Love it.

Stalker Links:

Goodreads / Facebook / Website / @BeccaVincenza

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GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Buy Links: Smashwords / Amazon.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Fantastic News – The Core Shadow Trilogy by Kristine Mason in a Boxed Set

Posted on March 22, 2014 by fundinmental

Kristine Mason’s Core Shadow Trilogy is one of my favorite reads.

I love serial killers and she seems to have a constant supply of them.

Kristine has bundled all three awesome Core Shadow books into a boxed set that is now available for $4.99.

CORE SHADOW TRILOGY

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Three romantic suspense novels—now for one low price!

SHADOW OF DANGER: Book 1 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy

She sees too much…

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Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through her psychic visions. Called in by the local sheriff to help stop the killer, John Kain, former FBI agent turned investigator for the private agency, CORE, has no use for psychics. But as more dead bodies are discovered, the criminalist reluctantly turns to Celeste for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

My 5 Star Review of Shadow of Danger

SHADOW OF PERCEPTION: Book 2 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy

What happens when negligent plastic surgeons get a taste of their own medicine…?
When investigative reporter Eden Risk receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD or someone else dies, she turns to CORE for help. But that help comes with a catch. Her former lover Hudson Patterson is assigned to the case. And as more DVDs arrive, they not only find themselves knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past and the love they’d tried to deny.

My 5 Star Review of Shadow of Perception

SHADOW OF VENGEANCE: Book 3 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy

Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him…
At Wexman University male students will do anything to join a top fraternity. They’ll prove their worth during Hell Week by participating in a variety of pranks. But those shenanigans aren’t so funny when pledges start disappearing. CORE agents Rachel Davis and Owen Malcolm are on the hunt for a killer who’s kidnapping and murdering pledges. Time is ticking. They have only seven days to find the latest missing pledge and catch a killer. Seven days before the body count rises with another victim. Seven days to fight their attraction for each other before one of them ends up hurt.

My 5 Star Review of Shadow of Vengeance

CORE
Criminal Observance Resolution Evidence
When having the best is a matter of life and death…

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Welcome Kristine and thanks for including me in the promo for this boxed set of your fantastic novels. I am eager to see what you have to share with us.

KILLER MOTIVATION by Kristine Mason

Anyone who knows me knows I love my villains. There’s something liberating about writing a character so twisted, they keep me up late into the night either writing or lying in bed, wide awake because I’ve managed to disturb myself. That’s not to say I don’t love my heroes and heroines, I do. I love developing their story, watching them grow and fall in love. But, for me, bad guys are so much fun to write! As for motivating those bad guys…talk about allowing the imagination to soar.

So what motivates a villain? If you’re an avid suspense/thriller/mystery reader, I’m sure you’ve read books that have some pretty creepy bad guys in them. That bad guy’s actions might creep you out, but at the same time, have you ever closed the book and wondered, “what was the point?” Chances are, the villain wasn’t motivated enough. Chances are, he/she wasn’t developed enough and you were left not understanding why the villain would go to the extreme they did in the story. I don’t ever want a reader to finish reading my books and be left wondering what’s the point. Ever. Over the years, between reading and sharpening my writing skills, I’ve learned to constantly question why. Why did my villain do that or say this or kill the guy down the street?

In my book, Shadow of Danger (Book 1 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I have two men killing together. I knew I wanted this premise and loved the idea of an evil duo. But why would two men kill together? I had to dig deep and basically profile my villains. And although important, I’m not talking about just their ages, occupations and physical descriptions. I had to pick their brains, get inside their heads and discover what it was about them that made them join forces and do very bad things. I had to get a little twisted with this duo, but I think it made for a killer ending (haha).

In Shadow of Perception (Book 2 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I loved, loved, loved writing my villain, Michael Morrison. In all of my suspense novels I do my best to keep you guessing as to “who did it” and despite that I tell you upfront Michael is a killer, there is more to this story. The key to this book is not only watching the hero and heroine trying to figure out what the reader already knows—the bad guy—but it’s also about the reader trying to pull pieces together to discover the link and identity of a secondary character. This secondary character will leave you guessing and hopefully have you reading with the lights on.

Let’s go back to Michael. His motivation was easy: revenge. But I did my best to take that revenge to a new level. I took an ordinary man, put him in an extraordinary position, then I got into his head. As a mother of four, I know I would do anything to protect my kids. Would I go to the extreme Michael went to? Would I kill for my children? Tough questions and ones I wouldn’t want to be forced to honestly answer. But this is fiction we’re discussing. Still. How does an ordinary man become a killer? How extreme were the circumstances that pushed him to the edge, taking him from an average Joe to a serial killer?

In Shadow of Vengeance (Book 3 CORE Shadow Trilogy), I had the storyline created, knew who my hero and heroine were (they’d both been introduced in past books), the setting and a basic idea about the villain. In this story, young men pledging fraternities are being kidnapped during Hell Week and are never seen again. Pretty extreme, especially because this has been going on for twenty years—at the same university. Okay, so I had to really get creative. I had to climb inside the head of my killer and come up with why. Why kidnap pledges during Hell Week? What was it about this villain that drove him to such an extreme? Had something happened to him that changed him for the worse?

I’m not suggesting that that the psychotic sociopath isn’t fun to read. But for me, I want that sociopath motivated. As I’m reading, I want to get in his head and pick his brain. Leaving a trail of bodies is all well and fine, but why is he leaving a trail of bodies in the first place? With proper, killer motivation, well-developed villains will go from one-dimensional to three-dimensional and become more believable and realistic. Now there’s a scary thought!

Well, Kristine, I think you have done a fine job with profiling your killers and sharing their motivations. I am looking forward to many more stories of death and murder. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts with us.

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You can get your copy of The Core Shadow Trilogy by Kristine Mason for only $4.99 from Amazon – all three books included.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Blitz Tour for The Cowboy and the Vampire by Hays & McFall

Posted on March 21, 2014 by fundinmental

The title of The Cowboy and the Vampire by Hays and McFall had me chuckling to myself. That made me feel like I had to participate in this tour for a vampire story of a different kind.

Let ‘er buck!

The Cowboy and the Vampire Reboot

The phrase “you can’t judge a book by its cover” is a lie. It’s a damn lie. People do it all the time. Art is truth.

To mark the upcoming May 2014 release of the third book in The Cowboy and the Vampire Collection, the series was treated to a gothic western makeover, with artwork commissioned exclusively for the series.

“We wanted to give readers something special and the new covers get right to the heart of the series,” said co-author Hays. “Go on and judge the books by these covers! They bring together the paranormal and the western elements perfectly, setting a dark tone with just a hint of the humor.”

“Each time you look at the images, you see something a bit different, even more of the opposites-attract romantic theme pops, and the overtones of simmering passion,” said co-author McFall.

Get caught up on the love between Tucker and Lizzie now before the release of book three.

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A Very Unusual Romance

The Cowboy and the Vampire

Book 1

Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

“Deliciously dark.” – Booklist

Welcome to LonePine, Wyoming, where the best of the American west faces off against the rise of the undead. It’s a love story for the ages.

Worlds collide when a broke cowboy and a glamorous big city reporter fall lipstick over boot heels in love. But she carries a 2,000-year-old secret in her veins that will test their unusual romance.

Saddle up for a hilarious, existential gallop through the dying west with an army of ancient bloodsuckers in hot pursuit.

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Blood and Whiskey

The Cowboy and the Vampire

Book 2

Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

“Strong writing, funny characters … riveting.” – Kirkus Reviews

Welcome back to LonePine, Wyoming. It’s like any other slowly dying town in the modern American West. Except it’s suddenly lousy with vampires.

Cultures clash as the vampire illuminati ride into town to settle ancient scores, test loyalties and thrash out a new world order. Can the fragile relationship between a cowboy and a vampire survive lust, betrayal and country music?

Grab the reins and hold on tight as Tucker and Lizzie stampede through rural America and across the vampire afterlife, desperate to protect their unlikely love.

A Tangled Publishing History

The first book of this series, A Very Unusual Romance, was published in 1999, long before the vampire craze. With comparisons to Anne Rice and Zane Grey, the book gained a devoted following with initial sales of more than 10,000 print units. Fast forward a decade, and the publisher (Llewellyn) brought out the book as a second edition in 2010, aiming to capitalize on the Twilight mega-hit. Meanwhile, the authors wrote the second book in the series — Blood and Whiskey — bringing it out under their own imprint (Pumpjack Press, 2012). In 2013, they gained the rights back for the original book, and now, with book three poised for publication in May 2014, the restored Cowboy and Vampire series has been redesigned with exclusive art and is coming out for the first time in 15 years as a complete collection. Yippi-ki-yay!

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Between the two of them, Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall have worked in writing jobs ranging from cowboy-poet to energy journalist to restaurant reviewer to university press officer. After they met, their writing career took center stage when they wrote the first book in The Cowboy and the Vampire Collection as a test for marriage. They passed. Clark and Kathleen now live in Portland, Oregon.

Connect with the authors:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

@cowboyvampire (instagram)

About the artist

When asked about his biggest artistic influences, Aaron Perkins says there are too many to name, but when pressed mentions Gustav Klimt, Modigliani and the full-on art deco and nouveau movements, abstraction expressionism and surrealism. Aaron is also a big fan of concert poster art. That heady and diverse collection of inspiration shows up in The Cowboy and Vampire Collection covers.

Connect with the artist

An interview with the artist here

His website: www.aaronperkins.com

Grab your copies of The Cowboy and the Vampires Books I and II by clicking on the covers below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling – Tour & Giveaway

Posted on March 20, 2014 by fundinmental

Not only is Tellulah Darling on tour with My Life From Hell, she will be having a party on March 23. For more information, keep reading about the party, an excerpt and a giveaway.

It’s Tellulah’s virtual book bash and you’re invited! Come to: http://tellulahdarling.com/tellulah-darling-live/ on Sunday, Mar 23 between 10-11AM PST and help Tellulah celebrate the release of My Life From Hell. She’ll be live on video, doing a reading, answering your text Q&A, and just chatting. So come on over, ask a question, discuss the pros and cons of swoony boys, or just say hi! She’d love to have you there to help mark the end of Sophie’s journey. Better yet, she’s the only one who has to get dressed for the event. 😀

My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling
(The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #3)
Publication date: March 20th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult

SYNOPSIS

To say that Sophie Bloom is at the top of her game with one only week until spring equinox and the final showdown with Zeus and Hades would be, well, lying. The Goddess of Spring feels more like the Goddess of Bzz Thanks For Playing than the savior of humanity. And could her relationships be any more messed up?

Good times.

Sophie is convinced that things can’t get any worse than crawling back to her mother Demeter and begging for help. But she’s about to find out how very wrong she is.

It’s a race against time for Sophie to implement the big battle strategy in the YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology finale My Life From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book three of this teen fantasy romance series. Save herself; save the world. Humanity may be screwed.

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day:

—Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kobo

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EXCERPT

I fired again and again, staying rooted to the spot, and forcing extra power from deep within the earth. I wiggled my bare feet into the dirt, digging my toes in deeper.

At least it didn’t stay dark. Between fireballs, lightning strikes, my shockwaves and Kai’s black light, it was quite the dazzling illumination.

My eyes closed. I didn’t need to see the Photokia and Pyrosim to know where they were. I could sense them, millions and millions, swarming me. More than I could count. More than I could process.

It was a plague of minions. The world was so thick with them that I was amazed there was still room for air. Their fireballs burned my skin and sparked my hair. Their lightning arced through my body.

The air was heat and smoke and burning destruction. Every particle glided over my skin in electric vibrations that shocked the tiny hairs on my arms. Black ash rained down, covering me in a blanket of soot. I took it all in and used it. Turned it around and sent it back with every shockwave I fired.

I felt untouchable. Even with all the hits I was taking, my healing abilities kept up pretty well. I had never been more a goddess, more every-inch powerful, than in this moment. I felt Persephone settle into my skin, connect to me in a way that had never happened before. For this moment, at least, we were in perfect synch. We were the vanquishers and our enemies would go down tasting our wrath.

Until I heard the laughter.

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AUTHOR BIO

Tellulah Darling
noun

1) YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she’s compensating.
2) Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3) Sassy minx.Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.Tellulah Darling is a firm believer that some of the best stories happen when love meets comedy. Which is why she has so much fun writing young adult romantic comedy novels. Her tales span contemporary, teen fantasy romance, and YA Greek mythology, and range from stand alone books to series. For Tellulah, teen romance is the most passionate, intense, and awkward there is – a comedy goldmine. Plus smart, mouthy, teen girls rock.Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?www.tellulahdarling.com

Author Links:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

To get your copy of My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos

Blitz-wide giveaway

Prizes:

-Signed copies of Books 1, 2 & 3

-2 x eBook copies of the series (incl the short story)

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Book Blast Giveaway for Summoned by Rainy Kaye

Posted on March 18, 2014 by fundinmental

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Summoned by Rainy Kaye is all about genies. How could I resist that?

What would you do to be the one holding the magic lamp?

Be sure and check out the book trailer and giveaway below.

Buy at Amazon

Summoned By Rainy Kaye

BLURB

Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can’t tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn’t the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl’s ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

Summoned is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Find out more at http://www.summonedtheseries.com

Blog / Newsletter / Twitter / Wattpad

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GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Sherry’s Shelves #4

Posted on March 17, 2014 by fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves #4 is my weekly update, where I will recap what I have been doing the past week: March 9 – March 15, 2014.

Sunday Post is Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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Stacking the Shelves is Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Bought, Borrowed and Bagged is Hosted by TalkSupe

*all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)*

*if listed as free, please check for the “0″*

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Picked up on a free Amazon Day

I picked these books up from Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance on a free day. Kathryn and Kistine’s books were still free at the time of posting.

I also picked up The Bone Knife: A Short Story is FREE

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WON

I won this young adult zombie novel, Undying by Valerie Grosjean from fuonlyknew

I won The Fallen by Lee French & Erik Kort from Masquerade Crew Scavenger Hunt

I won Yesterday’s Kiss by Carly Fall from Tome Tender

I won a paperback copy of Deborah Crombie’s book, The Sound of Broken Glass from Freda’s Voice

I won an autographed paperback copy of James Blakley’s, the K-Frost Caper, a mystery/thriller novel and a $10 Amazon gift card from A Little Bit of R & R

Last week on fundinmental

Friday 56 #9 – Daughter of Nothing by Eric Kent Edstrom

Michigan Great Lakes ice cover has positive effects for the region

Austin Carr is at it again – Big Money by Jack Getze – Giveaway and Review

Teaser Tuesday #11 – Kingdom by Anderson O’Donnell

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This week on fundinmental

I have some reviews that I will be posting and I never know what might pop up, so upcoming events are always subject to change.

Teaser Tuesday
Cover Reveal for Summoned by Rainy Kaye
Blitz for My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling
Blitz for The Cowboy and the Vampire by Hayes & McFall
Freakin Friday
Friday 56