The Disaster Curse by Chrys Fey is a short story that gives a hint of the life Thorn and Amanda will have. It’s not all smooth sailing. An earthquake caused by an erupting volcano, setting off a firenado…and the story shows how small the world can be and by believing you deserve good things, your belief will allow you to have them.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
The Disaster Curse (Disaster Crimes #7) is a short story of 23 pages that follows A Fighting Chance (ft. Thorn) and wraps up the Disaster Crimes series.
Following a 7.1 earthquake in Guatemala, Thorn and Amanda, volunteering for the American Red Cross, help survivors in any way that they can. They hand out food and water and offer comfort to the people shaken by this event.
A sudden tremor knocks everyone off their feet, only it’s not an aftershock of the quake. One of Guatemala’s many volcanoes is erupting—a disaster on top of a disaster.
Thorn and Amanda now must do whatever they can to help each other and the survivors of the quake endure this natural phenomenon.
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique
concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure
Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur
Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
I was watching the Bones TV series, the episode where Bones and Booth get married. When Cundi Lauper began singing At Last, I immediately thought of sharing it with this review. It seemed so appropriate. Funny how that happens sometimes.
GUEST POST
Sherry Asked: Why did you name
Detective Thorn…Thorn?
Chrys Fey’s Answer: Honestly,
I don’t remember. HAHAHA! Usually, I’ll have a first name for a character, and
then I have to come up with a good last name to go with it. I’ll explore
surname websites and even the credits for movies to find a suitable last name.
When it comes to my detective or law enforcement characters, I first come up
with the surname that’ll pair well with “Detective” or “Officer.” I do this
before even considering the first name. If I ever do.
For example, Officer Burnett is a character we meet in Seismic
Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 2), and we are reacquainted with him in
A Fighting Chance. I simply considered a last name that sounded good
with “Officer.” I wanted it to be strong. Officer Burnett is a strong title and
name combo. So, when it came time to name the detective who comes in to help
hunt down the corrupt cop and murderer David Buckland aka Buck, I literally
contemplated what name would sound really badass with “Detective.” It doesn’t
get much more badass than Detective Thorn.
Pages: 154
Genre:
Romantic-Suspense
Heat Rating: Hot
MY REVIEW
It’s a great day. A Fighting Chance is the final book in the Disaster series and it it time for Thorn’s and Amanda’s story to be told.
Because you may want to start this series at the very beginning with Hurricane Crimes, I will try not to give anything away. I have loved growing and living life to the fullest with Beth and Donovan and would love for you to learn what they have been through to have a life so good they never even dreamed of it.
Thorn is a police officer and best friend to Beth and Donovan. Amanda is a survivor of domestic violence, still hiding out from her ex. She works with Beth at the Fighting Chance, and has become a very good friend of hers. These women have learned to stick together and their man will put their life on the line to keep them safe.
Amanda has found so much to live for, and when the danger comes walking through the door, she knows she cannot face it alone. Thank goodness she doesn’t have to.
She is afraid for Thorn. Afraid to hope for happiness. She is broken, but not beaten.
Thorn and Amanda’s relationship develops in a slow, realistic way. It is tentative and sweet.
I loved reading about her home remedies for defending her home. They are low tech, but they do the job. When Amanda talks about how she points her blinds, I couldn’t help but smile. I do the same thing.
Chrys Fey handles a difficult topic, like domestic abuse in a graceful and interesting way and I can’t help but believe it could be an inspiration for those who need a little bit of help to feel they are worth of a good, loving life.
The feeling of evil, of danger, of a sense of urgency, is subtle, but present throughout the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of A Fighting Chance by Chrys Fey.
4 Stars
BLURB
*A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster
Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be
read as a standalone.*
Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she
needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to
give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he’s
worried the truth will frighten her away.
And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for
Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby
where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates,
jeopardizing their happy ending.
Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and
Amanda have a fighting chance?
Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date
payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye.
She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the
picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a
short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled
from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a
millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the
ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.
“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her
fingers at April and pointed at the stools.
April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so they
blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the
jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield
Amanda.
From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front of
the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but we’re
going to be closing.”
“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”
The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even
harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her
memories.
Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by
that name here.”
Author’s
Note: I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few
lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance,
and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow.
Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*
The
Disaster Crimes Series:
*The Crime Before the Storm (prequel)
Hurricane Crimes (novella, #1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (free short, #2.5)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)
A Fighting Chance (spin-off, #6)
The Disaster Curse (short story, #7)
*Free
exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.
***LAUNCHING
A WEBSITE***
TheFightingChance.org is a
website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Inspired
by the Disaster Crimes series.
***GIVEAWAY***
Prizes:
Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2)
eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a
Volcanic Blast Scented Candle
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique
concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure
Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur
Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
Frozen Crimes is Chrys Fey’s latest novel in the Disaster series. I have been reading her work for years and eagerly pick up her books anticipating a wonderful story.
I love the beautiful cover of Frozen Crimes, done by Kim Mendoza.
I have been through a hurricane, an earthquake, a lightening storm, a tsunami, a fire, and now a blizzard with Beth and Donovan. Chrys Fey does not give them a break, just because Beth is pregnant.
Frozen Crimes has a gorgeous cover and I do love a story that features storms and Mother Nature showing us who is the boss. To know Beth and Donovan’s full story, you need to start at the beginning with Hurricane Crimes.
Chrys Fey dives right into the suspense and I wonder…is it someone we have met before?
Donovan is away on a monster truck tour. He is a driver and loves what he does. He had never planned on marriage, but once he met Beth, he was a goner. She used to travel with him and he missed her terribly. Now that a little one is on the way, he wonders…
Beth is home alone…Oh No. It’s nighttime. There’s a knocking at her bedroom window. She’s no newbie to danger, but being pregnant adds another level of fear. She has no idea that she is being hunted, stalked. In this day and age, it is easy for someone to find you and that in itself is frightening, then we have Beth and Donovan’s story to add to that.
Beth is no stranger to danger, so she started a self defense studio. Thorn, a police officer, is their best friend and has a sweet spot for one her friends who is also an employee. She has her own tragic story to tell and kindred spirits are drawn together. He uses checking on Beth as an excuse to spend time with her.
Beth and Donovan’s love for each other is so sweet. When he took her for a drive on vacation in Michigan, I knew what was coming and I loved it. He is so wonderful with Beth and the small things are very precious to her. I love that they live in Florida, and I too love living in sunny paradise. I was born in Michigan, so them visiting for Christmas and getting caught in a blizzard brings to mind forgotten memories. Deep fried turkey, yeah I’ve had that. I love those little touches that make a book even better to me.
Chrys Fey’s writing flows smoothly, leading me deeper into the story, anticipating something bad coming, just not sure what it is going to be. She does add the good with the bad. She creates suspense and adds some heat to spice things up.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Frozen Crimes by Chris Fey.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
***Frozen Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 5)***
Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.
Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.
Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?
Catch the sparks you need to conquer writer’s
block, depression, and burnout!
When Chrys Fey shared her story about depression
and burnout, it struck a chord with other writers. That put into perspective
for her how desperate writers are to hear they aren’t alone. Many creative
types experience these challenges, battling to recover. Let Keep Writing with
Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout guide you
through:
· Writer’s block
· Depression
· Writer’s burnout
· What a writer doesn’t need to succeed
· Finding creativity boosts
With these sparks, you can begin your journey of
rediscovering your creativity and get back to what you love – writing.
When I shared my story
about depression and writer’s burnout, I received many emails, comments, and
Facebook messages from other writers thanking me for my bravery and telling me
about their own trials. That really put into perspective for me how many people
suffer from depression and/or burnout in silence. I had no idea those
individuals were impacted by these things, just as they hadn’t known that I
was, because my outward presence to others was always happy and smiley and
bright.
After the supportive
response and upon realizing how many writers in my online circles were
struggling, too, I wanted to do something to help. I was candid with my
experiences and blogged about the things that assisted me through the rough
times in the hope that it would aid others.
During this time, I
recognized the need for writers to receive support, guidance, tips, reminders,
and encouragement during their writer’s block, depression, and burnout. That’s
how I got the idea for this book. A book not just about depression or only
about writer’s block, but both, and much more.
Since you have picked up
this book, that means you may need assistance with one or all of these areas,
and I sincerely hope you find what you need here…that tiny spark to get you
through whatever you are going through.
Isn’t this such a cute cover for Bad Fairy by Elaine Kaye?
Title: Bad Fairy
Series: A Bad Fairy Adventure (Book One)
Author: Elaine Kaye
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Fantasy Middle Grade
Length: 66 pages
Age Range: 8-12
BLURB: Thistle Greenbud is not a bad fairy. She
simply doesn’t like rules, and it’s just her luck that her homework is to
create a new rule for the fairy handbook. But first, she has more important
things to do. Like figure out how to get back at Dusty and Moss for playing tricks
on her.
Before she can carry out
her plan, though, disaster strikes and she finds herself working alongside the
very fairies she wanted revenge on. Can they work together and trust each
other, or will things go from bad to worse?
As we watch the boys,
the wind picks up, making the fern lay flat, exposing us. We gasp and make a
dash for the closest tree. Behind it, we huddle together.
“Boogles! A branch just
hit me,” Weedy says.
The sky turns black.
Wind swirls dust and leaves, and spits pebbles at us. This is not good. We have
to get going now or else our payback will get blown away.
“Let’s go!” I scream and
lead the group from behind the tree, but the wind makes it hard for us to move
forward.
Rose and Lilly grab
hands as they run, screaming, toward the creek. Lacey stumbles over a fallen
twig, landing flat and hitting her face hard on the ground. When she doesn’t
move, I race to her as sand and pine needles prick my skin.
I help Lacey to her
feet. Luckily, she only has a few cuts on her face. A tiny bit of blood streaks
down her forehead. She looks at me. Fear is bright in her eyes. She needs help.
We all need help. I peer toward the creek. The boys are still there, frantically
trying to lift the bag full of stones.
Shouting a warning and
waving my arms, I hurry to the creek, trying to get their attention. Finally,
Dusty sees me. He looks as if he’s been caught with his hand in the pixie jar.
I point to the sky and
wave them to come our way. Rain starts to fall. Dusty pulls Moss from the
creek. Fat drops of water pelt my head and wings as I wait for the boys to
reach me.
“It must be a twisty!”
Dusty screams. “We better find shelter.”
GIVEAWAY:
3 Signed Paperback Picture Books –
Pea Soup Disaster, Doctor Mom, The Missing Alphabet
Eligibility: International
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Ends: July 1, 2020 12:00am Eastern Standard Time
Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green Adventure series. She first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup, thus inspiring the story Pea Soup Disaster. Bad Fairy is her middle grade debut and the first of A Bad Fairy Adventure series.
Kaye has worked as a
library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine
State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu,
Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home. She is a grandmother of three boys.
Keep Writing by Chrys Fey includes tips that everyone can use whether
you are an author or not, such as reducing stress, especially in these
turbulent times.
Setting goals is huge. Set short, medium and long range goals.
Short chapters written in easy to understand language.
Her tips are sparks, to ignite you, to set your passions on fire.
All of us bloggers are writers and I have dabbled in writing since I was a young child too. Will I ever write…my book? If I do, Chrys Fey shares easy to follow suggestions for us to pick and choose what works best for us. If I don’t, Chry shares sparks for destressing and dealing with depression.
Chrys draws from her personal experiences. Some tips may work for you and some may not, but I feel there is something for everyone in this gem.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Keep Writing by Chrys Fey.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Catch the sparks you need to conquer writer’s block, depression, and burnout!
When Chrys Fey shared her story about depression and burnout, it struck a chord with other writers. That put into perspective for her how desperate writers are to hear they aren’t alone. Many creative types experience these challenges, battling to recover. Let Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout guide you through:
• Writer’s block • Depression • Writer’s burnout • What a writer doesn’t need to succeed • Finding creativity boosts
With these sparks, you can begin your journey of rediscovering your creativity and get back to what you love – writing.
Chrys Fey blogs at Write with Fey
and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. She’s also an partnered with the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs with Goodreads book club.
At the age of twelve, she started
writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later
rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the
next hurricane to come her way.
Every day, she can be seen with a pen in
my hand or pounding away at her computer. Although she doesn’t restrict
herself to a single genre, she mostly writes suspense stories whether
they are romances or fantasy.
Blog Hop Question: What is your favorite holiday memory?
(This includes Hanukkah,
Kwanza, Yule/Winter Solstice, Christmas, etc.)
My Memory: I can’t really choose a favorite holiday memory because I have been through many changes in my life. I loved celebrating with my son when he was small (there’s something special about sharing the holiday with children). I moved from Michigan to Alabama and celebrating without the cold weather and snow was a new experience to me. I moved to Florida alone and the holidays were spent at my two of my favorite hangouts. At Ms Newby’s, all of us with nowhere to go would bring a dish to pass around at the liquor store/bar and it was so much fun meeting new people. I also spent time at Schooners, usually going for a swim and sitting at the bar with dripping hair, a bathing suit, and numerous cocktails. Now, that’s my kind of Christmas. Now, I have Mr Wonderful and living in Florida, in my little piece of paradise. I love all the holiday decorations, especially the lights. I feel there can never be too many lights. Every year we make a trip to New Orleans for the Christmas decorations. What’s up for this year with whatever family can make it? No plans…yet.
What about you? Do you have a favorite holiday memory?
Cape Cod 2019. I love this buoy Christmas Tree.
New Picture Book Release from Elaine Kaye
BLURB: On Christmas Eve, Gregory and Sammy get a
special visitor—Santa Claus! Santa brings them on a once-in-a-lifetime
adventure around the world and to the North Pole. Bundle up and come along for
the ride!
About the Author: Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green
Adventure series. She created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her
homemade pea soup.
Kaye has worked as a
library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools. She currently
lives in Florida, but has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan
home.
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