Books From The Backlog – Matt Archer: Monster Summer @KendraHighley

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books

My last Backlog post was in April of last year, but I am determined to mine through my TBR and clean it up…a bit.

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

In this companion short-story to Matt Archer: Monster Hunter, fifteen-year-old Matt Archer finds himself in the Australian Outback on the trail of his latest targets…and hunting hyper-intelligent, mutated Dingoes is not his idea of a great summer vacation.

Making things more complicated, Matt’s Uncle Mike–aka Major Tannen–is his C.O. for this mission. To Matt’s consternation, the major’s new fiancée, Captain Julie Hunter, is also along for the trip.

When Captain Hunter disappears during a routine scouting trip, it’s up to Matt to help his uncle find her before it’s too late.

  • Genre: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Short Story, Young Adult
  • 41 pages, ebook
  • First published October 3, 2012 by Smashwords
  • Series: Matt Archer, #1.5

Goodreads Ratings: 4.10 – 247 ratings – 19 reviews

I added Matt Archer: Monster Summer by Kendra C Highley on 3.14.13 but got it as an Amazon freebie on 1.20.13. Why did I add it you ask? Just look at the fabulous cover, then add in the blurb and I am caught…hook, line and sinker.

How about you? Does that cover make you want to visit the Australian Outback?

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – In The Shadow Of A Dream by Maci Aurora @XpressoTours

In the Shadow of a Dream
Maci Aurora
(Fareview Fairytales, #3)
Publication date: January 30th 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

With the promise of finally learning her mother’s secrets, Brinna Fareview and her family gather together. Only somewhere between the truth and lies, Brinna wakes to find she’s trapped in a space in between the world awake and the nightmares of her family. All of them are asleep. Learning she has the ability to move from dream to dream, Brinna tries to find a way out of the dream world, but she’s stuck, unable to fix what’s ailing her family. But then an unexpected thing happens, Lucian Uraiahs, god of day and light, walks into her dream.

While Lucian decided a long time ago that Brinna Fareview was a blight on his peace, he can’t seem to avoid her. She pops up at every turn, all because his brother is god-yoked to her sister. All Lucian wants is to disappear into the oblivion of the cosmos amidst his shame and guilt, but the unbidden feelings he has for Brinna can’t be contained. When Lucian is stripped of his powers for refusing to bend to his father’s will, he is imprisoned with only his guilt to keep him company. Except when he falls asleep, he dreams of Brinna and somehow becomes the only link to saving her, her family, and his brother from a spell that could destroy them all.

Brinna and Lucian must work together to uncover the secrets they need to break the sleeping spell, but the longer they share their dreams, the more they realize time is against them.

Join the Fareviews in book three of the Fareview Fairytales series, In the Shadow of a Dream, to discover the truth that has them trapped behind the hedge.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Luc grumbled and turned back to look at the hedge once more, walking its length when he heard women’s voices—sweet and lilting—coming from inside. He stepped back, searching for the elusive entrance.

“Remember when we were talking to Tarley the other day? About the man in the woods?” Aurielle—he knew her voice—replied.

“So romantic…” the other said, her voice soft and whimsical. Which left only two possibilities: Luc’s woodland fairy or the other sister, the one with the dark, soulful eyes. “Why are we doing this again?” she asked.

He wondered which one was with Aurielle and suppressed any hope it might be his singer.

“Well, I’ve met someone.” Aurielle snapped the words, because the other one seemed to be antagonistic about being dragged out into the woods.

He grinned at their bickering. Relatable.

“I have so many questions! You’ve been behind the hedge since–” The sister’s voice cut off abruptly, then she shouted, “The Great Nap Escapade?”

“So,” Aurielle said, drawing out the word, “you’re doing this for true love. And I promise, Brin, you won’t have to wait long.”

[…]There were words spoken Luc couldn’t discern, followed by Aurielle bursting from the hedge. She called out for Nix and disappeared across the road through the bramble.

“What if someone comes?” Brinna called, then groaned. “Annoying.”

He was going to talk to her! He swallowed as he thought about what to say. “Couldn’t agree more.” Luc couldn’t see her; she was still hidden within the hedge.

She gasped. “Who’s there?”

“The brother.”

Her head—like a disembodied apparition—appeared from the hedge, turning to look for him.

When she saw him, her eyes widened. It was the first time he realized her eyes were gray. “Whose brother?”

He hummed but said, “Since we’re both on lookout duty, we could make it interesting.” “Who are you, exactly?” she asked, stepping from the hedge.

Luc’s breath stopped up, caught up by both disbelief and utter excitement. […] “There you are,” Luc said, finally finding his voice.

She demanded his name.

“Lucian,” he said, turning slightly toward her, his shoulder leaning against the hedge—a terrible choice. He straightened and wiped the leaves from his shoulder.

“And you’re not here to meet my sister?”

“Stars, no,” he said, allowing himself to truly look at her as he shook his head, grateful, suddenly, that Nix asked him to be his unnecessary companion. “That would be my brother. Come closer.” He gave her a slight grin. “I don’t bite. Usually.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m fine right here, thank you.”

“You know my name, which gives you power. Will you not offer the same?” Though he already knew it, he wanted her to offer it freely.

“Brinna,” she replied and disappeared back into the hedge.

“Wait,” Luc called. “Where did you go?” The hedge didn’t have an entrance. “Where are you?” “Here,” she whispered, as if daring him to find her. Despite the low volume, her voice reached him, and he wondered, strangely, if it always would.

He used his godlight to sneak through the magical threads of the hedge, and his arms passed through, allowing him to grasp Brinna. Using her as leverage, he pulled himself inside.

She squealed—a cute little sound that seemed as if she was trying to be quiet about it—and stumbled into him, her palms pressed against his chest. Heat seared his skin underneath his clothes where her hands rested.

“What are you doing?” she demanded. “Unhand me.”

He did. Immediately. Swiping his hands over the place she’d touched to wipe away the sensation.

He hated the added impulse of wanting to wrap her up in his arms.

Ridiculous. He told himself he was curious about this hedge, given he’d never seen anything like it on his Roam.

He walked deeper into an arched passageway that stretched out in front of him with no end in sight, as if it curled in on itself. Surprised by the muted light inside, Luc glanced over his shoulder, where Brinna now stood framed by an arched entrance.

She followed him. “What is wrong with you?”

His internal glow warmed the darkness inside the hedge so he could see her features, which pinched with her frown. He wanted to press his thumb against her mouth, run the pad of it across her lips, but he swallowed the urge instead and looked away.

“If I keep walking, what will I find?” he asked, ignoring her question for one of his own.

“The cottage. Where I live.” She paused, then said, “You truly couldn’t see me? That seems… unbelievable.”

He hummed and looked around. “Perhaps if it wasn’t enchanted.”

“Enchanted!” She scoffed, an unflattering kind of snort, but Luc found it… cute. “You must be mistaken.”

He snorted back at her, incredulous. “I am not mistaken. Not about this.”

“You don’t make mistakes?” She offered a sharp laugh.

He’d begun to think this—trapping himself in proximity to her—was one. “Absolutely not,” he lied. The very large mistake in his immediate past had nearly cost him his brother, but she didn’t need to know about that.

“I highly doubt that.” She crossed her arms, her dark eyebrows arching over her pretty eyes. “Now, why are you glowing?”

“Why is this hedge enchanted?” he countered, realizing he should have doused his godlight so his father wouldn’t know, but he didn’t with her attention finally fixed on him.

They stood facing one another, the hedge seeming to close in around them. He only needed to take a step, and he’d be close enough to draw her into his arms, lean forward, and kiss her. The shrinking hedge and his overpowering urge to touch her made him feel like he couldn’t take a deep enough breath.

“How do you get out of here?” The shrinking hedge unnerved him, even if it was an illusion…Then he realized he couldn’t see the opening any longer. It had disappeared. He was trapped.

“I need to go,” he gasped.

Author Bio:

Romance author.

Lover of stories.

Maci Aurora has been writing stories since she was a child. When she was eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. In high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and from there, her writing journey was cemented in telling stories about love. Having already published many novels (all of which are threaded with romance as upper YA and New Adult titles) under the pen name, CL Walters, Maci Aurora wanted to write stories that offered the same attention to story and characters but with additional steam.

Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies.

Website / Instagram / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – The Valley Of Horses by Jean M Auel #jeanmauel #librarylovechallenge

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It has been many, many years since I read the first book of the Earth’s Children series, Clan Of The Cave Bear my Jean M Auel. The story stuck with me so much that here I am, decades later getting lost in Ayla’s story and prehistoic adventures. All her previous world came back easily, and that is so unusual for me, that I am sure I will read it to the very end.

We flip back and forth, between Ayla and Jondalar. It’s obvious to me they will end up together, but Ayla’s struggles after being kicked out of the Clan are fascinating. She learns to survive by doing, picking up skills on her own. She was seeking one of her own, but she makes friends with a horse and an even more unlikely companion, so her search is delayed and she spends years alone.

A scream changes her world forever when she saves Jondalar from Baby.

That’s all I’m saying, because Ayla’s story is sooooo worth experiencing for yourself, that I want you to discover it by becoming as immersed in the journey as I did.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

This odyssey into the distant past carries us back to the awesome mysteries of the exotic, primeval world of The Clan of the Cave Bear, and to Ayla, now grown into a beautiful and courageous young woman.Cruelly cast out by the new leader of the ancient Clan that adopted her as a child, Ayla leaves those she loves behind and travels alone through a stark, open land filled with dangerous animals but few people, searching for the Others, tall and fair like herself.  Living with the Clan has taught Ayla many skills but not real hunting. She finally knows she can survive when she traps a horse, which gives her meat and a warm pelt for the winter, but fate has bestowed a greater gift, an orphaned foal with whom she develops a unique kinship.One winter extends to more; she discovers a way to make fire more quickly and a wounded cave lion cub joins her unusual family, but her beloved animals don’t fulfill her restless need for human companionship. Then she hears the sound of a man screaming in pain. She saves tall, handsome Jondalar, who brings her a language to speak and an awakening of love and desire, but Ayla is torn between her fear of leaving her valley and her hope of living with her own kind.This eBook includes the full text of the novel plus the following additional • An Earth’s Children® series sampler including free chapters from the other books in Jean M. Auel’s bestselling series• A Q&A with the author about the Earth’s Children® series

  • Genre: Action and Adventure, Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Prehistoric, Romance
  • 577 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published January 1, 1982
  • Series: Earth’s Children, #2
  • Characters: Ayla, Jondalar

ABOUT JEAN M AUEL

Jean M. Auel, née Jean Marie Untinen is an American author best known for her Earth’s Children books, a series of historical fiction novels set in prehistoric Europe that explores interactions of Cro-Magnon people with Neanderthals. As of 2010 her books have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, in many translations.

Auel attended University of Portland, and earned an MBA in 1976. She received honorary degrees from her alma mater, as well as the University of Maine and the Mount Vernon College for Women. She and her husband, Ray Bernard Auel, have five children and live in Portland, Oregon.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Post Apocalyptic Adventure – Farewll To Dust And Sun by John M Broadhead @JohnMBroadhead

Amazon / KindleUmlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Our people don’t know what else to do, so we dig.

Right out of the gate we meet the haves and the have nots. Could you imagine living underground? You get up in the morning and dig until you go to bed at night, barely enough food and water to keep you alive. I worked for General Motors and used to think, if I die, they are going to step right over me, or on me, and continue working. Morbid, huh? I feel that is Coal’s future, if he doesn’t follow his instincts.

He wants to save the people of Dirthome, and what an appropriate name it is. Nothing to see for miles but desert. John M Broadhead’s descriptions are spot on, considering he knows them so well, being raised in rural New Mexico.

The Outliers want what they have, mounting attack after attack, bodies falling on both sides. But, the biggest threat that so many refuse to even think about is the darkness coming. The sun will go down and not return. So many continue their day to day lives, refusing to make a decision to leave the only home they have ever known. There will be no food. No water. They cannot survive. A religious leader uses their fear to keep them under control.

Coal heads out with Slate, searching for a new home. He never anticipates what will happen when he sees birds for the first time, meets the sea, and the Stacca, a violent and dangerous people.

We travel from the present to the past and back to the present. Part One set the hook, Part Two gave me Coal’s adventurous history, bringing us to Part Three, where decisions will be forced, whether the people want to follow him or not. He never wanted to be a leader, just wanted to save his people, especially the governor’s wife, who he loves.

Farewll To Dust And Sun by John M Broadhead was a different kind of apocalyptic/ dystopian read and I am always on the lookout for someone to take one of my favorite genres and tweak it. Once I started, I couldn’t stop and will be eagerly awaiting the next Slow World Tale. How about it John? I hope you are writing fast. 🙂

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

His scorched desert world is doomed. To save his people, first he’ll need to fight them.

Loyalty and love will be tested and treacherous alliances made, but is it too late to ensure their survival?

Coal is a tenacious and headstrong young laborer who lives in the harsh wasteland of Dirthome, a brutal and unforgiving place where relentless violence and apathy are commonplace. As the sun prepares to set for the first time in generations, he hatches a daring plan – to persuade his people to abandon their desert abode before darkness and cold consume the world.

But driven by a complex love for the governor’s wife and accompanied by a mysterious warrior woman, Coal must navigate dangerous partnerships and confront his own fatal weaknesses. In this sweeping and gritty western-themed fantasy, traditions are shattered, flawed characters clash and civilizations collide in pursuit of uncertain salvation.

“Farewell To Dust And Sun” is the thrilling first installment in the “Slow World Tales” series of post-apocalyptic adventure fantasy books. If you like coming-of-age, survival fantasy books set in a barren and grim future, this book is for you!

  • Genre: Action and Adventure, Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction
  • 557 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published November 7, 2023 by John M Broadhead

ABOUT JOHN M BROADHEAD

“I just want to make things that people can nerd out on. There’s nothing in life more joyful than nerding out over something.”

I am excited to share my newly completed novel “Farewell To Dust And Sun.” Fitting nicely into the apocalyptic genre, this is a fast-paced adventure story set in an unforgiving desert, a quest to save the world that eschews fantasy tropes and focuses on the characters, their hopes, failures and crises. 

Heading toward publication on November 7th, this will be my second self-published novel, but the first in which I believe I truly found my voice. I believe it to be a “millennial” story through and through, expressing the angst in the hearts of a generation stuck between a bleak past and a bleak future. 

Among other projects I am in fact working on the sequel in what I hope to eventually craft into a trilogy of “Slow World Tales.” My writing credentials include my previous novel “Talking Man,” along with a novella, a children’s book, and a novelty picture book. I have been recognized with numerous awards for my poetry and screenwriting, and my academic background in English Literature provides me with a deep understanding of the craft. Additionally I am a filmmaker, runner, thru-hiker, and Tolkien nerd. 

Website / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Poetry

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks 

abigail owen, award-winning, author, paranormal romance
wolf shifter, paranormal romance, christmas romance
wolf shifter, alpha male, fated mates, ocd, allergies, romantic comedy

The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen was part of the Christmas After Dark anthology that is no longer available. I never got to read the anthology, but I was able to get my hands on Abigail Owen’s novella. I do want to cite the other author’s stories:

  • Christmas In Atlantis by Alyssa Day
  • Bewitched Before Christmas by Nina Croft
  • The Lone Wolf’s Wish by Lisa Kessler
  • Shifting Seasons by Sheryl Nantus
  • Bewitch You A Merry Christmas by Juliette Cross

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love Abigail Owen’s writing, so I was super excited to see she had a Christmas novella I had not read. I have read most of her books and I loved them. Her writing style is a perfect fit for me, and I was not disappointed with The Wolf I Want For Christmas.

Shyla has not seen Cade since he left town ten years ago…and now he’s knocking on her door. They’ve both changed a lot, grown up into a couple of pretty impressive packages. I thought it was hilarious that she is allergic to dogs…because he’s a werewolf. LOL

He knows she’s his mate, but she doesn’t…

The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen may be short and sweet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some issues to overcome, especially the fight for becoming the alpha of the pack…oh, and taking her as his mate.

I smiled and laughed my way through The Wolf I Want For Christmas, ending with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a happy ever after.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Cade Campbell has spent ten years in hiding, preparing to return to his small town, the pack his uncle stole from him…and the mate who doesn’t know she’s been waiting for him. When he shows up on Shyla’s doorstep a few days before Christmas he discovers the sweet, quiet girl he grew up with is all woman. The problem is she’s become a loner, is obsessively neat, and allergic to dogs. Bad news for this wolf. Still, Cade’s not giving up on her or on taking his rightful place as alpha. Maybe this year Santa could finally get things right.

Christmas After Dark anthology

  • Genre: Christmas, Fantasy, Novella, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Supernatural
  • 86 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published November 15, 2019

ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN

Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic. Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.  

Website & Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Bookbub

MY REVIEWS FOR ABIGAIL OWEN

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Kiss Of A Witch by S G Slade @ExpressoTours

Kiss of a Witch
S.G. Slade
(Darkness Rising, #2)
Publication date: December 14th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Historical

Trapped in a spreading web of darkness, the power of an ancient book might be their only hope.

Mary Sparrow was cursed at birth, and the bawdy house is the only home she’s ever known. Like most of the girls, she dreams of escape. But when an old man drives her friend to madness, she swears she will have her revenge.

Toby Chyrche also hopes for a better future, away from the tailor’s shop where his fate seems set in stone. Then afateful meeting seems to promise freedom, until an ancient book of magic reveals chilling truths.

Ensnared in the spreading web of darkness, they turn to magic to protect themselves. But shadowy forces crave a sacrifice, and the spectre of death is beckoning. Can they wield the power of the book to protect those they love? Or will they pay for their courage with their lives?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Then Toby ducked through the low door from the street and her breath stopped short in her throat. She was on her feet in a moment, shoving the sewing back into the basket at the hearth, straightening her skirts, checking her hair and adjusting the neckline of her bodice, small breasts pushed up and on display to their best advantage. She waited by the hearth, a coy smile on her lips and her head tilted in invitation. He saw her straight away and made his way towards her, and the little light of hope inside burned brighter. He had come, not for any girl, but for her.

‘Ale, Rosalind,’ Mary ordered to the other girl, who still sat staring at the unlit fire. Rosalind turned towards her, frowning in question. ‘Get us ale,’ Mary told her again, and eventually the girl got to her feet and headed out the back to where the barrels were kept.

‘Master Chyrche.’ She dropped her best curtsey, and he returned it with a bow.

‘Mistress Sparrow.’

They sat at a small round table beside the fireplace, and he looked around the empty room. ‘Where is everyone?’

She shrugged. ‘Elsewhere.’

‘Then I’m glad,’ he replied. ‘Because it means I can have you all to myself.’

She laughed, taking pleasure in the pleasantry. ‘I am all yours, Master Chyrche.’

He took her left hand in his, and began to caress the extra finger, gaze intent on the movement of their hands. Then, looking up, his eyes fixed hers in question. ‘Are you truly cursed, Mary Sparrow?’ he asked. ‘Does the Devil suckle at night on this finger?’

She gave him an uncertain half-smile in answer. Why was he asking the same questions again? ‘I cannot rightly say,’ she murmured. ‘I hope not.’

Lifting her palm to his mouth, Toby kissed it, then briefly, discreetly, slid the extra finger between his lips, his tongue warm and moist as it curled around the tip. Her breath lifted in response, warmth in her gut. Then Rosalind returned with the jug of ale and Toby let her hand go. Mary poured for them both and she drank, unsure of him now. She had met men before who made a fetish of her fingers, but Toby’s sudden interest disconcerted her. She lowered her cup and looked at him. He was watching her closely, eyes grey and pale in the candlelight, and she was self-conscious under his scrutiny.

‘Perhaps I’m your Devil,’ he said.

‘Perhaps,’ she replied, but she had no understanding of his meaning. He must have seen the confusion in her eyes, though she tried her best to hide it, because then he gave her a smile that made her fall a little deeper.


Author Bio:

S.G. Slade was born and raised in the historic city of Bristol in England, and now lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband, son, and a very small dog called Livvy. She has worked variously as a secretary, a teacher, a shop assistant and a nurse, but lifelong obsessions with books, history, and magic have never waned. When she isn’t reading or writing (which isn’t often), you can find her either doing yoga, going for long walks, or watching old movies. Touch of a Witch is her first historical fantasy book.

She uses the pen name S.G. Slade for her fantasy books, and also writes Historical Fiction under the name Samantha Grosser.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Psychic Immunity – The Color Of Shame by Hollie Smurthwaite @H_Smurthwaite

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Killing with kindness always baffled jerks.

I love that quote from the book and Sara is spot on. She knows a jerk when she sees one, and she has seen plenty of them. Sara works for The Agency, or she did until a mission went wrong. Terribly wrong. It left her scarred, inside and out. Because of that, they had let her go, but does a shadow agency ever let anyone go?

Psychic groups collide when Sara meets Beckett, a stiff English professor, and it is discovered that she has immunity to being read. Beckett, well, when push comes to shove, his love and loyalty will shine…BUT it will be a rough road to get there.

Hollie Smurthwaite’s vivid descriptions bring the characters to life. I can see them through her words, feel their emotions, join in their fight for life and love.

I met Sara in The Color Of Betrayal, Jolene and Cass’s story. Sara is a diverse character, suffering from dyslexia. She is vivacious, has a snappy wit, and people are drawn to her beauty. She trusts no one, except, possibly, Jolene, Cass and Kiera, but they have not seen each other for years. She does not want to take her troubles to their door, so she tries to handle the situation on her own. As the danger rises and betrayals take her down, I fear for her. The tension and pacing pick up, making me flip the pages…rapidly.

I love when Sara brings Ren into the story. Ren has a level of innocence that makes me want to shelter her, protect her. I love when Sara brings a level of fun and companionship to the others in the group.

I have had my eye on one character in particular, waiting for him to show his ugly side. When he does…Hollie creates a twist that had me smiling. I love when an author throws something totally unexpected my way.

I wouldn’t change a thing about The Color Of Shame by Hollie Smurthwaite. My question is: Will Ren get her own story? The series could end here and I would be satisfied, but when a find a fascinating character, I want more. I want them to have their happy ever after.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

When her immunity to psychics is discovered, Sara is sucked back into spying for the criminal organization she was poised to escape.

The worst scars are hidden . . .

For years, Sara served the shadowy Agency, until a mission gone wrong left her physically and emotionally wounded. Haunted by these scars, Sara is counting down the days to her reconstructive surgery, the final step towards freedom from the Agency’s clutches.

Just as she’s close to escaping, Sara’s path crosses with Beckett, an uptight English professor with the uncanny ability to delve into people’s minds with a mere touch.

Anyone’s mind except Sara’s.

Unbeknownst to her, Beckett is a member of a clandestine society of memory magicians, and he sees in Sara the perfect instrument to catapult his career within their ranks.

Sara and Beckett clash fiercely, both determined to follow their own paths. But the Agency’s grip on Sara is tighter than she realized, and they give her one more assignment: work for Beckett and his program to help budding memory magicians. And report back all the details.

While forced to work side by side, Sara and Beckett soon discover that first impressions can be misleading, and animosity can transform into an intoxicating mix of frustration and fascination.

As the lines blur between loyalty and self-preservation, Sara finds herself torn between protecting Beckett and his students or safeguarding her own precarious freedom.

Will Sara’s immunity be her salvation or her downfall? Can she navigate the treacherous landscape of spies and memory magic while protecting her heart?

  • Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Psychics, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense
  • 370 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published November 1, 2023
  • Series: The Psychic Colors, Book 2

ABOUT HOLLIE SMURTHWAITE

Hollie Smurthwaite is a paranormal romantic suspense author of The Color of Trauma and The Color of Betrayal. The Color of Trauma was the winner of the 2020 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project in adult fiction. She lives in Chicago with her husband, son, and too few pets. In past lives, she’s been a checkout clerk, massage therapist, office manager, recruiter, magazine staff writer, pepper spray hawker, and belly dancer.

MY HOLLIE SMURTHWAITE REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.no
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Political Intrgue – The Vitruvian Heir: The Awakening by L S Kilroy #TheVitruvianHeir #LSKilroy

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am blown away by this epic saga, The Vitruvian Heir by L S Kilroy, When I read she had no intention of making this a series, I was so surprised. I guess the characters kept talking, telling her they had a lot more to say, and boy do they ever.

The political intrigue and betrayals had my head spinning. The world grew larger, new characters made an appearance and I was lost, reveling in the treachery. I don’t know who to trust and I hope Lorana is up to the task. She really doesn’t have much of a choice, fate or destiny be damned.

Stepping back in time to the 1800s is sickening. No women’s rights. Child slavery…To think there are those that want to keep it that way shows their fear. That to keep control, they have to step on the neck of the peasants…and anyone else that gets in the way of what they want.

How far is too far when trying to save a people?

I love that the characters are individuals, walking to the beat of their own drum in their personal life, yet stepping outside themselves, willing to sacrifice their life in the service of what they feel is right.

I am able to compare the events in The Vitruvian Heir to our own current events and see TOO MANY similarities. I love when I find novels that speak to me on a personal level, opening my eyes to possibilities, good and bad, in fiction and reality. I am so invested in the characters. I fear when they fear. I weep when they weep. I love when they love.

I read for hours, not wanting to quit…for anything…I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

At the end are Book Club Discussion questions.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“Once again, Kilroy has swept us right off our feet and into the richly imagined world of Vitruvia. This second installment of the series is positively dripping with palace intrigues, unforgettable new characters, and masterful world-building. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step inside a truly magical imagination, just pick up this series, turn the pages, and get wildly, deliciously lost.”

– E.E. HOLMES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GATEWAY TRILOGY , THE GATEWAY TRACKERS SERIES , AND THE RIFTMAGIC SAGA “If you find yourself attracted to a villain, it doesn’t mean that you are one.” With the fate of Vitruvia resting in her hands, young Lore has decisions to make. And one of her first is to strike up a deal with none other than Ursula, her former mentor and current prisoner. Now that the country has once again made contact beyond its borders, the fledgling empress finds herself invited to an annual summit in Orsia where she’ll take her place among the world’s most powerful leaders. But what awaits her there is far more dangerous than anything even Ursula can prepare her for – or Avery can protect her from. Meanwhile, back in Vitruvia, Sawyer and the formidable vigilante, Lucy Shaw, try to keep a more sinister force at bay. From faraway palaces and a mysteriously alluring foe to a traitorous uprising and fierce new allies, see what happens when a young woman steps into the role she’s both doomed and destined to play.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Teen, Young Adult
  • 372 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published July 7, 2023 by Little Tree Press
  • Series: The Vitruvian Heir, Book II, The Awakening

ABOUT L S KILROY

“The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.” – Dorothy Parker

L.S. Kilroy is an irreverent sort of person who likes to write about things. Growing up an asthmatic only child in a neighborhood of geriatrics, she made friends with books at a young age because she had to – luckily, she also really liked them. Early exposure to the classics fueled her own writing. At fifteen, a man in a bookstore asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she replied, “Writer,” without hesitation.

Writer is a title that has driven her both personally and professionally. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Merrimack College and a Master’s degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College. By day, she’s a communications professional; by night, she’s an award-winning indie author.

She lives in a rural community in Massachusetts with her husband, stepson, and three naughty cats. Aside from writing, she loves being creative in the kitchen, belting out show tunes, traveling, throwing epic dinner parties, reading, and scouting out vintage finds at consignment shops.

Website / Patreon / YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / Spotify

MY L S KILROY REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

The Spotlight Is On The Epsilon Account by Joni Parker @PumpUpYourBook

 

In a thrilling mystery of intrigue, the Elfin Keeper of the Keys, Alex, uncovers a sinister plot to steal the gold set aside for the Golden Harvest by a rival group of Elves, who will stop at nothing to get it.

Title: The Epsilon Account: The Golden Harvest Series Book 1
Author: Joni Parker
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 388
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction Hybrid

goodreads add to

Thousands of years ago, Eledon was created for the Elves by their Mentors when they were forced to leave Earth. At least, that’s how the legend goes. In return, the Elves must pay them a tribute in gold, known as the Golden Harvest, every four thousand years. The Elfin Council of Elders appoints Lady Alexin (Alex) Dumwalt, the Keeper of the Keys, to manage the next payment, due 244 years from now. That is, until the Mentors show up unexpectedly and demand immediate payment of the Epsilon Account. Since the Harvest has never been called that, Alex suspects foul play and uncovers a sinister plot by the Star Elves, a rival clan from the Constellations, who want to steal the gold. To make matters worse, they’re willing to do anything to succeed to include murder. Can Alex stop them and save the Elfin gold before it’s too late?

Buy Link:

Amazon


Book Excerpt  


It worked! The emergency contact system I had set up with the help of my Elf grandfather really worked. With this system, I could leave the magical Keys of Eledon with my grandfather, just in case something disastrous happened, like a flood or a quake. My grandfather had been the Keeper of the Keys before me, so he could fill in as needed, but if there was something he couldn’t handle, he’d sent Lord Hillen for me. 

Lord Hillen had been in London recently to investigate the presence of Elf slaves in the mortal world and had posed as my Uncle James. If he needed to contact me, his lordship would use the portal and call me on a pay phone on the street corner outside of Hyde Park. We rehearsed it several times to make sure it worked. Unfortunately, when he called for real, I was the middle of a fashion show in Paris. 

A few months ago, I signed a five-year contract to work as a fashion model for the Echelon Modeling Agency owned and operated by Andrew Miller. The next day, my exile to the mortal world ended, and I was allowed to return to Eledon. But since I had signed a contract, I felt obligated to finish it, so I asked for and received permission from the Elfin Council of Elders to do so. Five years meant nothing to the Elves. 

My mobile phone rang when I returned backstage to change into my next outfit. I should have let it go to voicemail, but the caller ID said it was Mrs. MacDougall, the dog walker from Hyde Park in London. Why would she be calling me? Then I recalled how much Lord Hillen had liked the woman, so I answered it. 

“Mrs. MacDougall? This is Alex. You’re on speaker.” I needed my hands free to touch up my makeup.

“Oh, Alex. How wonderful! I just wanted to let you know your Uncle James is here, and he asked me to call you.”

“What ‘s wrong?” 

“Alex? Alex, are you there?” Uncle James/Lord Hillen shouted loud enough to be heard over the music. Everyone shushed me.

“Sorry.” I turned off the speaker and put the phone to my ear. “Yes, Uncle James. I’m here. You don’t have to shout. Is everything all right?” I was concerned about my grandparents. They weren’t old by Elf standards; they were considered middle-aged even though my grandfather was thirty-five hundred years old, and my grandmother was about fifteen hundred years old, give or take a thousand years.

“Lord Ashur must speak to you immediately,” he said. “It’s about the Epsilon Account.”

I paused. “What Epsilon Account?” I’d never heard of it although I knew it was the fifth letter in the ancient Greek alphabet. But the Elves had never used Greek letters for anything. Still, I was relieved to hear it wasn’t about my grandparents. 

“We don’t know what it is,” he said.

“Okay, so why is this an emergency?”

“Because Lord Ashur said so.” 

“Oh.” Lord Ashur was the Elfin leader of the Council of Elders, and I should drop whatever I was doing and rush home, but I couldn’t right now. “I can meet you in Hyde Park by eleven tonight.” I had memorized the Eurostar train schedule from Paris, so I knew what time it got to London. Once I got there, I would have to transfer to a local train for Hyde Park. “Can you wait with Mrs. MacDougall?”

“Oh… my pleasure,” he said, as he ended the call. 

I knew he liked her, so I was sure he’d be happy to spend more time with her. I rushed off to make my next entrance and slipped the phone in my pocket without thinking. As I strutted down the runway, my mobile went off again. It was making too much noise to ignore, so I took it out to turn it off. It was Mrs. MacDougall again, so I swiped it and answered it as if it was part of the show. Uncle James/Lord Hillen came on the line, saying he forgot to tell me my grandparents were fine. 

“Thank you so much,” I said, as I hung up. But instead of putting it away, I continued talking as if I was in the middle of a business deal. “But you don’t understand. I want two million, not one.” I rolled my eyes at the audience. “No deal!” I touched the screen, shook my head, and waved my mobile in the air.

The audience laughed, and cameras flashed all over the place. So, I turned my back to the audience and took a selfie. The show’s narrator, Philippe, grimaced at me and waved me off the stage. I strolled by him and waved my mobile to thunderous applause.

It was never my intent to become a fashion model, but after I was exiled here, I needed to earn a living. Modeling didn’t require a special skill except to walk in high heels. At the time, I was staying with Vice Admiral Sir Malcolm Teller and his wife in London because I had no place else to live. Their daughter, Suzette, was a fashion designer and asked me to be her model because hers had quit unexpectedly. I did fine in my first show, but my heart wasn’t in it. I’d been trained as a soldier, so I applied to join the Royal Marines. When they rejected my application, I went back to work as a model. 

After several more dress changes, I ended the show wearing a spectacular wedding dress. My boss, Étienne, had specialized in them at one time in his career, and this dress was exceptional. It was made of embossed white silk with kimono-type sleeves, with a definite Japanese flair, but with an off-the-shoulder look. The train was at least twenty feet long, and the veil was to die for. I’d get married in that dress except I didn’t want to get married. Maybe one day. After all, that’s what fantasies are made of.

When the show ended, Philippe, the narrator, stormed backstage and chewed me out for taking a phone on the runway and violating the model’s code of silence. It wasn’t the first time he did this. The man hated me from the moment we met. He spoke so rapidly in French I couldn’t understand what he said except for those few words that crossed over to English, like ‘idiot’ and ‘mobile phone.’ I didn’t know why the French language was a such problem for me. I was fluent in four other languages—English, Scinthian (ancient Greek), Dwarf (Droogan), and Elf. Maybe it was a self-defense mechanism, so I wouldn’t understand all the nasty things Philippe said to me. 

His tirade lasted for ten minutes. By the time he was done, everyone else had left, and we were the only ones backstage. He stalked away and left me to find my way to the mandatory after-show party at our boss’s house.



 
About the Author

Joni Parker was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Japan when she was 8 so her father could become a professional golfer. Once he achieved his dream, Joni and her family returned to the U.S. and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. After high school, Joni served her country for 22 years in the Navy and another 7 years in federal civil service. She retired in Tucson, Arizona, devoting her time to writing, reading, and watching the sunrise.

Author Links  

Website | Facebook | Tw






Sponsored By:



  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Immortal Vendettas – Old Scores by A J Harrison @imvendettas #vampires

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The beginning of Old Scores by A J Harrison has me thinking of The Mummy…an underground archaeological dig, an odd looking brick, a little blood, and the floor gives out beneath their feet. You would never find me down there!

Years later, from Syria to Chicago…The atmosphere is spooky…darkness and a sarcophagus, and him. He takes what he needs with no remorse, yet at a mothers desperate request, he becomes The Equalizer. Simon is a vampire, drawn to humans. His fascination with humans makes me think of Lucifer. He was so intrigued, he had been going to the University of Illinois Chicago for five years.to be around them. His world was dealt a dramatic change when he, literally, ran into Anita. Simon meant to walk away, but there was something about her. Moments of Lucifer with Chloe and Edward with Bella kept creeping in.

I found myself laughing at the dialogue, especially with Marion and Anita’s mother…and Simon’s gruesome, internal thoughts. Like when he sat at the dinner table with the humans. I wonder if those thoughts will be implanted in my mind when I visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. LOL

The story had been all about Simon, until Salem came to town. And Shafax. They are more powerful than he is and he gets caught in the middle of their blood feud. Shafax is the power crazy King of Vampires. Salem was Simon’s mentor, but their difference of opinion when it came to humans, caused their split.

Simon is a fascinating character and watching him learn makes for a fantastic story. The final fight against the vampires, puts both Anita and Simon at risk, but Simon is pretty hard to kill and Anita is not so shabby herself. Coyotes, rats, and zombies are thrown at them.

In the beginning of the book, I thought it a bit slow, but I loved all the time I spent with Simon. The last half was no slouch. Sure, some familiarity, shades of Lucifer and Twilight, but I loved both of those, so having some of those similarities are a huge draw for me. That doesn’t mean there are no dark and disturbing moments, blood and guts, and savage battles. A J has a way with words, bringing the characters and scenes to life, making the action easy to visualize.

I am VERY impressed with A J Harrison”s debut novel, Old Scores. The story could end here, but I feel these characters have more to say. How about it A J? Will there be more?

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

It takes only a brief mischance and a few drops of blood to awaken an unspeakable evil and unleash it upon an unsuspecting world.

The vampire Simon has always prided himself on his detachment from humankind, but curiosity draws him to them nonetheless. A chance encounter with mortal Anita Rothard entices them both too much to ignore, but as the two grow closer and Simon finds his secret harder to keep, they are caught in the middle of a centuries-old blood feud between Shafax, the power-mad King of Vampires, and Simon’s estranged mentor, the enigmatic vampire Salem.

When enemies stir and rivalries reawaken, old scores will be settled and blood will flow.

  • Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Vampires
  • 506 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published September 29, 2023

ABOUT A J HARRISON

Andrew J. “A.J.” Harrison has had a lifelong love for vampires, werewolves, and other classic things that go bump in the night.  A retired officer of the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he lives in the Chicago suburbs with his calico cat, Vandal, who lives up to her name.  Old Scores is his first novel.

Website / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!