Mothman is lonely in A Cold Tomorrow by Mae Clair @MaeClair1

I love creature features and A Cold Tomorrow by Mae Clair stars Mothman, plus…

This is the second book in the Point Pleasant series. You can see my review for Book I, A Thousand Yesteryears here.

Check out this gorgeous cover. What does it make you think of?

Doesn’t it have an eerie feel to it?

A Cold Tomorrow (Point Pleasant, #2)

Amazon  /  Goodreads

A COLD TOMORROW
Book 2 in the Point Pleasant Series
Genre: Suspense/Mystery
Length: 82,00 Words
Publisher: Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Underground Imprint
Publication Date: December 20, 2016

MY REVIEW

I LOVED the first book, A Thousand Yesteryears, so I was very eager to continue my journey down the road in Point Pleasant to see what happens next in this fantastic creature feature.

The cover alone gives me an eerie feeling, sending shivers up and down my spine as I try to guess at what lies ‘between the covers.’

Katie misses her sister, her best friend, Wendy, who disappeared three days ago. No one knows what has become of her.

One of the things that caught me early was Katie’s aversion to smells in the salon. I too have a problem with them. These smells of reality make it easy for me to feel as if I am there with her.

I love how Mae Clair develops the relationship between Katie and Doreen Sue, her mom. Reads like real life as the work through a not so good past.

The town has not been kind to Katie’s family, treating them like white trash. Maybe they want to think twice before they cast the first stone.

Ryan Flynn is called to Chester Wilson’s farm to investigate star snot and outer space grass. The mystery begins. Then, the cow…

“It’s been a weird day.”

“Weird how?”

Uh…let’s see…cow mutilation, phantom deputy, missing resident. Does that fit the bill?”

Point Pleasant is a hotbed for Mothman and UFO sightings, in real life too. Adds another element of reality for me. Could it be true? Is Mothman real? For the moment, Mothman is silent.

As things become stranger, Katie’s past comes to the forefront, her memories causing her to fear for herself and her son, Sam.

All of a sudden, something sets Mothman off and he is terrorizing the people of Point Pleasant. How would you feel if you were the only one of your kind…people so afraid of you, they shoot first and take names later?

The Mothman, aliens, Men In black, lights in the sky, mutilated animals, people feeling the compulsion to draw…There are mysteries galore that kept me on pins and needles, fearing for the characters I have grown to love.

Oh Yeah! I believe we will have a Book III.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of A Cold Tomorrow by Mae Clair.

 
Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  5 Stars
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GOODREADS BLURB

Where secrets make their home…

Stopping to help a motorist in trouble, Katie Lynch stumbles upon a mystery as elusive as the Mothman legend that haunts her hometown of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Could the coded message she finds herald an extraterrestrial visitor? According to locals, it wouldn’t be the first time. And what sense should she make of her young son’s sudden spate of bizarre drawings—and his claim of a late-night visitation? Determined to uncover the truth, Katie only breaks the surface when a new threat erupts. Suddenly her long-gone ex-boyfriend is back and it’s as if he’s under someone else’s control. Not only is he half-crazed, he’s intent on murder….

As a sergeant in the sheriff’s office of the famously uncanny Point Pleasant, Officer Ryan Flynn has learned to tolerate reports of puzzling paranormal events. But single mom Katie Lynch appears to be in very real danger—and somehow Ryan’s own brother, Caden, is caught up in the madness, too. What the skeptical lawman discovers astounds him—and sends him into action. For stopping whatever evil forces are at play may just keep Katie and Caden alive…..

Buy at Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  /  Google  /  Kesington Books

You can check out the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant West Virginia HERE.

https://i0.wp.com/usercontent2.hubstatic.com/11931249_f520.jpg?w=584&ssl=1

photo courtesy of angelwing314.deviantart.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.

Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.

Visit her Website  /  Twitter  /

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Teaser Tuesday #87 – Vampires and Zombies Christmas Reading by Anthony Renfro

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by The Purple Booker, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR, or just share what you are currently reading. It is very easy to play along:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday.

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Merry Christmas to you, but beware…

Vampire at Christmas - High Resolution

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Anthony Renfro’s short story, A Vampire at Christmas, features a hot and sexy vampire.

Talan had been coming home from seeing his fiance, when robbers attacked him and left him for dead. In turn, a vampire took out the robbers and left him with an alternative, immortality or death. He passed out before making the choice, so the vampire made it for him. His blood tasted sweet, while the robbers had tasted salty. MMMM

Ever meet a Parrothead vampire? How about a vampire who’s favorite time of year is Christmas? Do they decorate trees with lots of blinking, sparkling lights? He hung  pictures of sunrises around the crypt to remind himself that he was once human. He wears work boots and a Jimmy Buffet concert shirt. He would have played music if he felt no one would hear. His favorite song is Margaritaville.

Discovering Christmas had changed his feeding pattern. Now he chose mostly those who deserved it. And had something special for those he felt worthy.

How would you like to see Talan coming down your chimney?

I love Talan and the humorous/horror writing of Anthony Renfro.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  Are you a Jimmy Buffett fan? Do you like Vampires? Do you like Christmas? This short story is about a Parrothead Vampire who uses his riches and Vampiric skills to bring joy to those in need during the holiday season.

Amazon Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The zombie tried to take off with Rudolf and he wasn’t going to allow it. It’s the little things that keep us sane and we all have a point in our lives, where enough is enough. A Zombie Christmas is comical and horrible at the same time. Can you picture zombie carolers singing Silent Night and Frosty? In times of trouble, there are those who stand up and give of themselves, expecting nothing in return.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURBIn a Zombie Apocalypse, three men risk life and limb to bring happiness to surviving kids on Christmas morning.

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A Vampire at ChristmasA Zombie ChristmasA Zombie Christmas 2The Lot

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The Horse Whisperer – Review for Blaze of Glory by M Garzon @mgarzonauthor

Blaze of Glory by M Garzon has all the elements for a wonderful romance.

This is not my usual genre, but something about this book spoke to me.

When I was finished reading it, I knew why.

Amazon Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Blaze of Glory is a romance that will have you following this horse whisperer through the pages of her life, including all the angst and passion that a 17 year old girl carries with her. Her trials and tribulations kept me involved and wondering how everything was going to work out okay and become a happy ending.

I love horses and think they are magnificent creatures. I love to watch them in motion and imagine myself riding, with the wind blowing across my face and through my hair, my heart pounding with the hoofbeats, as we race across the ground. How exhilarating a feeling is that?

Tea is an independent, sassy, strong willed, hardworking girl that has a special affinity with horses. Her impulsiveness gets her in trouble over and over again.

Her parents had died and Tea and her brother are living with her stepfather. Jaden, her older “cousin” (by circumstance only, not a blood relation) gives her butterflies and sweaty palms, her heart throbs when she is near him. Her love for him could very well destroy her already dysfunctional relationship with her stepfather.

I am an action junkie, but I was not kept waiting for a murder, magic or adventure. I knew this was not that kind of story.

This is Tea’s story. M Garzon would lead me up to the moment of the kiss, then deny me. I felt it was going to happen, but when.

A clean romance that kept me hanging on, wishing and hoping that Tea would become the professional horse rider she wishes to be and capture the love of her heart’s desire.

I chose the book knowing it wasn’t an action-packed thriller. Tea’s story kept me involved and waiting for what would come next. The ending answers all the questions I had, yet leaves the book open to continue Tea’s story.

“Small as a kitten, brave as a tiger.”

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  Soon to be a major new TELEVISION SERIES!

Book 1 of the Blaze of Glory series – recommended on the USA TODAY website.

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

m. garzonM. 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 fortunate to be a writer.

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Author links:  Website  /  Twitter   /  Goodreads  /  Facebook

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Giveaway – The Sisterhood by Alison Clarke @mythologist200

sisterhood-banner

the-sisterhoodThe Sisterhood

by Alison Clarke

Genre – YA, Middle Grade Fantasy

sh-about-the-book

When Oppie and Aurie are faced with a terrible battle between good and evil, they discover that friendship and sisterhood are the most precious things in the world.

In a realm where magic and legend still exist, it’s easy to think that when you’re just an ordinary girl, you’ll never get the chance to be written into the history books. But when Oppie, and her dragon friend Aurie, find themselves on a mission to defeat the evil, oppressive forces of darkness, in the form of the dragon, Royzendeus, they discover that history is never made alone. As they travel, their army of light grows, and Aurie discovers that as a girl, she is blessed with an entire sisterhood she never realised existed.

 

sh-about-the-author

alison-clarke

Alison Clarke is a writer who delves into different fields. She is a children’s author, but is now joining the world of young adult literature. Her latest book, The Sisterhood, chronicles her latest journey in this odyssey. A tale filled with Celtic, Greek, and Ghanaian mythology, The Sisterhood will delight all audiences. Kids, ten and up, as well as adults will be entranced with the story of Oppie and Aurie. Oppie is the daughter of a sorceress, and Aurie, her best friend, is a dragon. In the first book of this trilogy, they go on a journey to save the universe. Alison Clarke’s passion for the Arthurian tales, as well as medieval literature like Chaucer, also fuels her writing. Her first degree is in Sociology with a double minor in French and English. She is now working on a Master’s degree in Children’s literature. Storytelling is her calling, and whether she is writing, painting, or drawing, story is key. Reading is another passion, and many different genres interest her, including biography, fantasy, poetry, art books, and so on. Alison believes that the word is a powerful thing, and this is evident in many different literary forms. She also believes that art, whether it’s literary or visual can change the world, can make the world a better place.

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sherry’s Shelves #107 – Happy Holidays Everyone

Sherry’s Shelves #107 is my weekly update from December 11 – December 17, 2016.

Sunday Post #201 Countdown to Spring..

Stacking The Shelves {200}

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Hello fellow bloggers. Hope you had a great week.

I can hardly believe the year is almost over. I don’t know where the time goes. It seems the older I get, the faster the days go by.

This will be my last Sunday post for the year, so I wish you all a Happy Holiday!

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LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

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THIS WEEK ON fundinmental

  • Sherry’s Shelves
  • Giveaway – The sisterhood by Alison Clarke
  • Review – The Blaze of Glory by M Garzon
  • Teaser Tuesday – Vampires & Zombies Christmas Reading by Anthony Renfro
  • Review – A cold Tomorrow by Mae Clair
  • Friday 56 – Omerta by Mario Puzo
  • Jimmy Buffet reading The Night Before Christmas

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Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

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One Sentence Review – Blythewood by Carol Goodman @C_Goodmania

I won Blythewood by Carold Goodman and I am so happy I did. I have not read any of her work before, but after reading this, I will be on the lookout!

I have a thing for trees, so I really want to walk in this forest.

Blythewood (Blythewood, #1)

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The rich and complex characters in Blythewood, that made me think of a Harry Potter school for girls, took me on a grand adventure with surprising twists and turns in a phenomenal world full of rich detail, all while good battles evil.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  At seventeen, Avaline Hall has already buried her mother, survived a horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum. Now she’s on her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite boarding school in New York’s mist-shrouded Hudson Valley that her mother attended—and was expelled from. Though she’s afraid her high society classmates won’t accept a factory girl in their midst, Ava is desperate to unravel her family’s murky past, discover the identity of the father she’s never known, and perhaps finally understand her mother’s abrupt suicide. She’s also on the hunt for the identity of the mysterious boy who rescued her from the fire. And she suspects the answers she seeks lie at Blythewood.

But nothing could have prepared her for the dark secret of what Blythewood is, and what its students are being trained to do. Haunted by dreams of a winged boy and pursued by visions of a sinister man who breathes smoke, Ava isn’t sure if she’s losing her mind or getting closer to the truth. And the more rigorously Ava digs into the past, the more dangerous her present becomes.

Vivid and atmospheric, full of mystery and magic, this romantic page-turner by bestselling author Carol Goodman tells the story of a world on the brink of change and the girl who is the catalyst for it all.

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Giveaway – Captain Hawkins by H Peter Alesso #HPeterAlesso

captainhawkinsbookblast517reevqnflStrong vibrant characters with action packed battle drama

Jamie Hawkins was living on an obscure planet in the twenty third-century when on one fateful night–his life changed forever. His heroic effort to save the lives of innocent women and children, caught in the cross-fire of war, placed him squarely in the cross-hairs of avenging soldiers.

Hawkins was stunned when his rescue effort was seen as treachery. Unfairly convicted of treason by a corrupt judge, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor on an infamous penal colony.

Once in prison, his courage and perseverance won him the admiration and trust of his fellow convicts. While he was plotting his escape, an enemy attacked the planet–giving this daring warrior his chance. Together with his fellow prisoners, he launched a bold assault and high-jacked an enemy warship.

From then on, Captain Jamie Hawkins and his ship the Indefatigable fought against a corrupt government–only to discover a mysterious alien presence behind the war.

Buy on Amazon

Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty pete2years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations, and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of ten books.

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Giveaway – Guardian of the Way by Diane Moat @DianeMoatAuthor

guardian-of-the-way

Guardian of the Way by Diane Moat

It’s been two centuries since someone murdered the last Guardian of the Way, closing off this world from the many realms of magic and fae.

Cassiopeia “Cass” Wilson is an eighteen-year-old living on her own for the first time. The only magic she’s interested in is the kind that will help her pay the bills on time. Little does she know that a trip to the hospital after a fainting spell will change her life forever.

Cass soon learns she may be fae, and everything points to her being the next Guardian of the Way. There’s just one problem: whoever—or whatever—killed the last Guardian wants Cass dead too.

Cass quickly runs into problems, and an attack by djinn is just the first. But Cass joins forces with a wrath daemon, were-creatures, and fae on a quest to reach the Lighthouse—the site of the Way.

Cass soon learns about wizards desperate to keep the Way closed to serve their dark purposes, and she comes to a crossroads: will she take the test to become the new Guardian and leave her normal life behind? Or will the Way remain closed to all who need it?

amazon

Praise for Guardian of the Way

“Cass Wilson takes us right along with her in this journey, revealing a world she never knew existed, with a diverse new tribe of companions, protectors, and friends. A must read for anyone who wonders what else is out there beyond what we can see.” by C.S.

“A strong story, full of surprises. Getting there is half the fun, but is she meant for this challenging job between many worlds? Quite worth a read.” by M. Hayden

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Excerpt

A massive lighthouse sits off the coast of Maine near the town of Cutler. The building has stood empty for over two-hundred years. Those who can make out the edifice view a tower of stone and paned glass unlike any other lighthouse they have ever seen. The specific dimensions are hard to determine as this structure, unlike most lighthouses, is not a single tower. Instead, it has a broader base than usual, with what appear to be turrets at the top. The construction may even consist of two buildings connected at the middle. But not many people question this odd lighthouse, or even wonder why it remains vacant.

This is because most Humans can’t actually see the Lighthouse. A few who have a drop of Fey, Were or “Other” blood may perceive an ordinary lighthouse. And some instinct guides these souls to avoid the building, though they wouldn’t be able to voice why if they were asked. True Fey, Were, Vampires, and other supernatural beings can certainly identify the building known to them as the Lighthouse, but none of them dare try to enter. Those genuine descendants know the Way is blocked, and has been for the two-hundred years the Lighthouse has stood dark.

The place has sat empty since the most recent Lighthouse Guardian died one horrible night at thepinnacle. The Guardian had only been Guardian for four-hundred years and was killed well before his time. Inside the Lighthouse lies the only permanent causeway (the “Way”) between the worlds of magic and the world of the mundane. Fey, Were, Vampires and other non-Humans, despite the barrier to journeying across from inside the Lighthouse, could still travel between these two worlds using costly magic spells—but such a trip is difficult and dangerous. The entrance to the Way closed at the time of the Guardian’s death, and neither magic nor mundane had been able to open it since.

On one late evening in particular, a large man sat under a tree just outside of Cutler, eating the stew his mate had made earlier and placed in a storage dish. The season was early fall, but already the nights had a bite to them. The man was on his third shift of watch duty in a row. He had pulled this job ten months previously and was glad the rotations were only a year long. He would be back home in Louisiana before the truly bitter winter was well underway.

The man was suddenly blinded by a light coming from the very top of the Lighthouse. The man’s reflexes were frighteningly quick, but even so he dropped his stew. Flabbergasted, he stared directly at the light for a full twenty seconds, until he no longer cared about the meal. He turned away from the brightness, and shedding his clothes, he found his legs shortening and his arms lengthening. In less than a minute, a large dark-grey Wolf shook himself once, then again. Glancing back for a final look at the Lighthouse, the Wolf began running toward the town.

He wouldn’t stop running until he was at his pack leader’s house. From there, word would spread like a virus. Everything was different now. For somewhere in this ordinary domain, two minutes before, a brand-new Guardian had been born.

dianeAuthor Diane Moat

When not creating fantastical worlds of young adult fiction, Diane Moat spends her time in Tennessee as an animal rescuer and nurse. Her various rescue dogs often assist her in the creative process.

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$25 Blog Tour giveaway

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amazon or paypal$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 1/1/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Friday 56 #112 – The Pied Piper by Ridley Pearson @RidleyPearson

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The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice.The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and find any sentence or a few ( no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading along with you initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.

~~~2014-05-11-23-41-45

The Pied Piper by Ridley Pearson

This is the cover I have for my 1st edition hardback published in 1998.

Look at the cover closely, because there are all kinds of goodies hidden within.

The Pied Piper (Boldt / Matthews, #5)

Amazon Goodreads

My 56

“Well, you little shit.” She grinned widely. “I love the way you operate, you rogue son-of-a-bitch. Have I told you that?”

(Page 56 in hardcover, published in 1998)

Book Beginnings

The train left the station headed for nowhere, its destination also its point of embarkation, its purpose not to transport its passengers, but to feed them.

GOODREADS BLURB: In Seattle, they’re calling him “The Pied Piper” because he comes in the night and takes children away. To police lieutenant Lou Boldt and psychologist Daphne Matthews, it’s clear this isn’t about a single lunatic or random kidnappings: these crimes are well orchestrated, well executed, and, most chilling of all, occurring in cities all over the country.

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WHICH COVER WOULD YOU CHOOSE, including the one above?

The Pied Piper (Boldt/Matthews #5)The Pied Piper (Boldt/Matthews, #5)The Pied PiperDer Rattenfänger

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Giveaway & Review – Red Death by Jeff Altabef @JeffAltabef

Welcome to a another Novel Publicity Review Tour! Today, we’re helping Author Jeff Altabef launch his new book Red Death!

We’ve been with Jeff from the start, and we love helping him launch his latest titles. He and his daughter just finished launching the last of The Chosen Series, Scorched Souls, and now it’s time for something new!

To celebrate, we’ve got prizes, sales and more! Check it all out below, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Red Death. If you love action packed YA adventures, or Jeff’s other YA books like the Chosen Series, we know you’ll love this title too!

I love the cover for Red Death by Jeff Altabef.

It definitely hints at the story inside.

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The cover for Red Death by Jeff Altabef is so appropriate for the story inside. There is an Eden, so, of course, there is an apple orchard.

The priests rule Eden and I immediately became suspicious. They hold tightly to the archaic rules. Why is that, do you think? Are they afraid?

The Soulless, well I have my thoughts about them too.

I have so many questions from the start. I am intrigued and I wonder how the characters will grow and change, because I feel it coming.

The writing is so descriptive, it brings the worlds, critters and characters to life on the pages.

We have a huge cast of characters, but by focusing on one in each Tribe, it wasn’t difficult to follow them as they struggle to survive. They all have their place in the story, some good and some bad and some just down right evil. In times of trouble, the best and worst come out. People show their true colors. Some rise to the occasion and some descend into the pits of Hell.

The evil oozed off the pages from the getgo, pissing me off, making me angry at some of the characters for their ignorance and their thirst for power. The suspense never let up.

Betrayal, brutality, loyalty, love…

I fretted, sweated, thinking…it can’t be…can it?

I felt good at the end, but the battle continues in  Book II, The Ghost King. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next!

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Red Death by Jell Altabef.

4 Stars

 ABOUT THE BOOK

What happens when everything you believed turns out to be a lie?

Every child of Eden fears the Red Death. All those afflicted with the plague die young, their souls stripped away as punishment for ancient sins long forgotten. For centuries, Guardians have protected Eden from the Red Death by killing outsiders who stray too close.

Seventeen-year-old Aaliss is a highly-trained Guardian, but when her rather odd thirteen-year-old brother, Wilky, discovers a cure to the plague, her world turns upside down. Branded as traitors by the corrupt High Priest, Aaliss and Wilky are forced to seek refuge in the last place Aaliss thought she’d ever go—beyond the boundaries of Eden and into the land of the Soulless. Here they must navigate a medieval world filled with witches, magic, and warrior kingdoms run by Elders only a few years older than her.

Aaliss yearns to return home, but when her heart tugs her deeper into the world of the Soulless, she questions everything she once believed. Has her soul been taken? Will she and Wilky fall victim to the Red Death, or might they die sooner in the center of a battle that threatens to tear apart the Soulless world? Or… might Aaliss finally find, against all odds, what her heart has yearned for all along?

Exclusive Blogger only Interview with the Author.

We asked author Jeff Altabef 3 questions you won’t see anywhere else besides our tour. They’re fun,

NP: Thanks for offering some extra questions for our bloggers Jeff! First, what’s your favorite meal and drink?

JA: Coffee and chocolate! I’m not sure what that says about me. My favorite time to write is in the morning so coffee is a no-brainer. My mind can’t start to function without my first cup of Joe. I also like to write in coffeehouses from time to time when I need a little more energy and can feed off of those around me. So when in Rome!

I have a pumpkin stuffed with tootsie rolls on my desk. It’s a terrible habit that I quit from time to time, but it keeps coming back.  I just grabbed another one!  I’d like to say my favorite writing food is something healthy like kale, but I won’t lie, and I hate kale!

NP: Some of our staff have a love hate relationship with chocolate and coffee too! I bet that’s pretty common with our bloggers too. Now, the next question is tough, but do your best! Who was your favorite Character to write in Red Death?

JA: This is such a hard question to answer. I really feel such a close connection to all of these characters, that choosing one is a bit of a “Sophie’s Choice.” I loved to write Piers. I thought he was such a deep character and certainly Aaliss was a lot of fun. She’s a really strong character that most people love. The Viper and the High Priest were also a lot of fun. I always love dwelling on the nasty characters, but my favorite character to write was probably Wilky. I did a bunch of research before starting to make sure I captured someone with his condition just right. In many ways, he’s the real hero of the series. Now I feel bad that I didn’t mention Eamon or P’mina. Argh!

NP For such a tough question you did a really good job of explaining why so many characters in Red Death are loveable. Last but not least, and it may be another head-banger…who are your favorite authors?

JA: This is a tough question too! I love a wide variety of genres. Really everything from thrillers (Dean Koontz), to historical fiction (Bernard Cornwell), to mysteries (Jonathan Kellerman) and even horror  (Steven King). In the Young Adult genre I really like the characters Sarah J. Maas writes in the Glass Throne series. They come across as strong and memorable. I absolutely loved the End of Days series by Susan Ee. Her dystopian world and the use of angels was totally brilliant. I love the first person voice Joelle Charbonneau writes in the Testing Trilogy. She was a huge help when writing the Chosen Trilogy. Still, if I had one writing wish and could write like anyone, I’d choose Christopher Moore. He makes writing funny characters and situations seem effortless. I love his books!

Wow, those are some really interesting authors, and definitely diverse. I bet you’ve introduced our readers to some great new authors! Thanks again for doing our interview Jeff!

You can sign up to Jeff Altabef’s newselter and get a FREE short story at: http://www.jeffaltabef.com/

Exclusive Excerpt!

Chapter 5 – Eamon

Eamon studied the faces around the campfire, worry etched on his own as he wondered whether this would be the last time they would all gather together. He sat between his two older brothers, King Dermot and Prince Fintan. Dermot had lived six winters more than Eamon had, and Fintan one, yet he was the planner and worrier. Often he wished he could be more like them, but he never stopped fretting about tomorrow, the next season, the next winter. All the council members, twelve in total, joined them this night, forming a loose circle around a campfire that had started to lose its intensity. They met in the Courtyard, in the middle of the Stronghold, a small city protected by a sturdy stone wall. The Stronghold stood in the center of Dermot’s kingdom between the Outpost to the north and the Settlement to the south.

When Eamon realized everyone had stopped talking and were looking at him, he remembered what they had been discussing. “We’ll have to slaughter more cattle this year. The tribe’s grown since last winter.” The answer was obvious to him.

“The herd’s also added numbers this year, my Lord,” added Keenan, the Cattle Master. Built broad and strong like a steer, he had been Cattle Master for three years, and Dermot trusted him. “I reckon we could cull the herd by another twenty over last year and still maintain the size.”

All eyes turned toward Dermot. His reign had already lasted six years, almost an eternity. The Sword of Power lay across his lap, a long sword so heavy that it required two hands to wield it in battle. Its blade gleamed in the firelight, and the many rubies in the gold and silver hilt sparkled brilliantly. An inscription, written in a language no one understood, ran down both sides of the blade and glimmered in the firelight. The smithies could no longer make a weapon like the Sword of Power. That knowledge had been lost. They made other swords, fine ones, victorious ones, but none so grand. Only the King could wield the Sword of Power, the tribe’s finest.

Check out these great prizes from author Jeff Altabef, including a six month Kindle Unlimited Subscription! Did you know we offer exclusive reviewer prizes for tours just like this one? Want in on it? Sign up to Novel Publicity’s Newsletter for more great review opportunities!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Altabef is an award-winning author who lives in New York with his wife, two daughters, and Charlie the dog. He spends time volunteering at the writing center in the local community college. After years of being accused of “telling stories,” he thought he would make it official. He writes in both the thriller and young adult genres.

In the Young Adult genre, Jeff co-authored the Chosen Trilogy with his teenaged daughter, Erynn. The Chosen Series has won multiple awards including the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal for Best Coming of Age Novel, the 2015 Beverly HIlls Book Award for Best YA Fiction, and a Mom’s Choice Award.

As an avid Knicks fan, Jeff is prone to long periods of melancholy during hoops season. Jeff has a column on The Examiner focused on writing and a blog designed to encourage writing by those who like telling stories.

You can connect with Jeff on his website, Facebook, Twitter & Newsletter.

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