Must Read – 41 Strange Review – 41 Unique Horror Tales To Keep You Up At Night

Posted on July 28, 2014 by fundinmental

The title of 41 Strange by Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam intrigued me, but the cover totally creeped me out!

I had to read these 41 strange and frightening stories.

MY REVIEW

41 Strange is 41 short stories of straight up horror. The collection has some unique stories to scare the …….. pants off you. lol I could not help but freak out at Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam’s tales and their creative wickedness.

So, turn out the lights, make sure we are alone and let’s get our freak on.

I cannot help but laugh at all the normal, everyday things that I will now look at and think twice about.

OMG, the rottweiler – I am loving it. And ice cubes? Do you ever fantasize about getting stuck in the automatic car wash? I do. It SOOOO creeps me out, but I do like a clean car.

I just want to warn you to beware of swimming pools, cell phones, mattresses, turkeys, stairs, trees, diners, traffic lights, cars, the government, the color purple, shredders, monkeys, elevators, hair and ……….

41 Strange has so many different ideas of horror and death. Some are as little as a page or two. They are unique and original and I loved them all. The writing is excellent and the stories “jumped off the pages keeping me rapidly turning them.” (Even though I was reading on my Kindle) I could hardly wait to find out what happened next and next and next. If you are a horror fan, 41 Strange is a MUST READ!

I received the book in return for an honest and unbaised review.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Title: 41 Strange
Author: Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam
Publisher: Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam
Pages: 150
Genre: Short Story Anthology
Format: Kindle

Purchase at AMAZON

41 STRANGE, a first-of-its-kind e-book anthology devoted exclusively to “short-short stories of the strange and horrifying,” awaits just a couple of clicks away for Kindle readers who enjoy a good shiver up their spines.

41 STRANGE is the bizarre debut collection of authors/screenwriters Diane Doniol-Valcroze and Arthur K. Flam, who deliver a reading experience in the spirit of such masters of the macabre as Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock, and Rod Serling. As Doniol-Valcroze and Flam put it, the tales were written “in the lonely hour of the wolf … in the pre-dawn darkness when you get those ‘waking nightmares.’”

Doniol-Valcroze and Flam are screenwriters working in Los Angeles. They met at New York University’s film school and started collaborating, first on short films and then on screenplays. That working relationship forged a natural path to writing stories.

“We’re both very passionate about short fiction,” says Flam. “It’s our favorite form to read and write. After working together for many years on film projects, we realized we had a lot of ideas … that could only be done as short stories, so we decided to finally pull the trigger.”

The short-short story format makes a perfect fit for the authors’ strange visions. They immediately set up surreal and terrifying situations, which lead to even stranger conclusions. The stories can be read in their entirety in the time it takes to pour a cup of coffee and settle in with the book.

“Neal Edelstein (producer, MULHOLLAND DRIVE) has endorsed the book, and we’re excited because his new horror app HAUNTING MELISSA was the main inspiration for us to release the stories direct-to-audience,” says Doniol-Valcroze.

One of the authors’ favorite stories in 41 STRANGE is “Frank’s Wash,” in which a man finds himself stuck on the conveyor belt of a car wash. All attempts to get the car wash operator’s attention fail. Where Frank finally ends up becomes a chilling dissection of the parent-child relationship.

“We think (the stories) all embody that unnerving atmosphere,” Doniol-Valcroze and Flam say. “You’re not quite sure if the events unfolding around the character are happening for real, or are they just a figment of the character’s overactive imagination. We love that ambiguity.”

Doniol-Valcroze and Flam believe that 41 STRANGE will appeal to a general audience of film lovers and short story readers, as well as fans of science-fiction, horror and crime, and readers looking “for a quick dose of strange stories for commuting, or just curling up for a chilling night read before bed.”

EXCERPT

Staircase Man

THERE WAS A STAIRCASE MAN outside my peephole. Standing still. That much I knew.

I’m not making this story up…

Why would I say there was a Staircase Man outside my peephole if there wasn’t? What reason could I have?

His face was very close to the peephole glass, distorting his grotesque features and giving the single rectangular “step-hump” on his upper back a gigantic contour in the doorway. I saw him amble back to the old creaky maple staircase in the hallway. He squatted. Slowly, his body sunk into the vacancy of a missing step in the staircase, the step-hump on his back serving to fill in the step. He was faultlessly, perfectly camouflaged. No one could ever tell he lurked within the staircase, as they ascended, descended the flight… as their hands innocently squeezed the banisters. I tried to identify his presence. At night, with the aid of a flashlight and magnifying glass, scanning the tread and rise of the steps for hours, I could not detect the hairline seams that distinguished his wedged-in body from the real steps. That’s how insidiously disguised he was. How seamlessly he fit interlocked into the “stairwell jigsaw puzzle.”

Frankly, I was petrified.

The former tenant had warned me, but I’d dismissed her words as the ranting of an unstable woman. Out of pure fright, she’d painted the peephole’s lens with red nail polish—to block out the view of The Man Rising From The Stairs. She said nobody believed her. Not the neighbors. Not the doorman. Not the janitor. Not a soul.

She was taken to a mental asylum.

How could I take her words seriously?

But right she was…

This Staircase Man was beckoning me at my door each and every night. He would rise from his “hibernation cubbyhole” like a vampire rose from his coffin for a midnight excursion. I could see his malevolent shrunken eyes hover behind the warped peephole glass. His pupils were like the round flat heads of wrought iron nails.

Sometimes… he softly knocked. By morning, he’d left a lingering odor of musty wood drifting in my nostrils through the keyhole.

I inquired about him all around the building. Then I stopped inquiring when the neighbors began to give me strange looks. The last thing I wanted was to be sent to the asylum too. So I clammed up.

But at night, in bed… I trembled.

Who was this bizarre inexplicable man? Where did he come from? Why was he in the staircase adjacent to my door? Why was I chosen? What did he want from me?

Sleepless nights became the routine. I was sick with fever round the clock. It got to the point, I wanted to destroy that evil presence outside my door more than anything else I ever wanted in the world.

One cold November, I resolved to kill the staircase spawn, rid it from my life once and for all. I’d had enough stalling… Soon I’d be too ill and weak to fight. The day of reckoning was now at hand… I readied myself. I selected a distinctly long, sharp hunting knife with an ivory handle from my tool kit. I had bought it from a shaman on a safari expedition in Tanzania. It might serve me well, I reflected. Perhaps its blade would possess some special power to annihilate my night terror.

And so I waited.

My ears on the stretch with expectation.

Then the faint knocks came—

At 3:08 in the morning.

… knock… knock… knock…

I tiptoed to the door. Silently, ever so… so… so… silent I was. My eye widened in horror as it pressed into the peephole glass. Sure enough, outside the door—there was the living-moving segment of the staircase. Right on time. He would not miss his appointment with fate. Yes. Now… Now was the perfect moment to murder him.

I unlatched the door. I creaked it open warily… ever so warily… Before I knew it, his long wooden fingers with splinter-like nails clawed at my soft throat…

“… Call the police!” I shouted, hoping a neighbor would come to my rescue; none did.

I stabbed and stabbed his thick wooden step-hump—the blade broke! At that precise moment, the Staircase Man squeezed his slanted baluster-like shoulder through the door gap and flung the security chain open, knocking me backwards across the vestibule. The snapping door chain gave off a noise like a rattlesnake. The odious Staircase Man stood in the wide-open doorway, laughing. That’s when I froze in the utmost state of shock. Filled with nausea. His laugh—was the exact same as mine.

In a voice that sounded entirely like my own, he ordered me to get out of the apartment at once. Before I could get on my feet, he threw me out like a vagrant, slamming the door on my face. I was left alone out in the dark hallway. Terrified, I gathered myself together. I regained my balance and dusted off my pajamas.

I touched the new step-hump that was growing fast like a rugged mountain on my back. I ran my hand along its cold, weather-beaten, calloused slope. It smelled of mold and mildew. Oddly, it felt like it had always been there. I got used to it quickly. It felt right.

I retreated and hid, taking refuge in the cavity—the dingy nook—of the deeply shadowed stairs, where no neighbors could look at me with their inquisitive stares.

Ah, I thought long and hard. Yes, me, the Staircase Man. Have I always been? I don’t know; I can’t say. My head throbs ceaselessly. It aches till it breaks. But I’m not insane! That much I know!

That night… and every night afterwards… I stand motionless in front of my old door. From time to time I knock softly. I wait for my old frightened eye… to appear behind the peephole… and see what I turned into…

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Diane Doniol-Valcroze was born in Paris, France. As a young girl, she developed a passion for writing from her father, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, co-founder of the New Wave magazine CAHIERS DU CINEMA, and from her grandfather, French filmmaker André Cayatte (original THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES). She earned a B.A. in English literature from the Sorbonne University, and an M.F.A. in film from New York University while apprenticing on the Lauren Hutton show. She has co-written screenplays for such films as Lionsgate’s PENNY DREADFUL, starring Mimi Rogers, and MGM’s HIT AND RUN, helmed by Enda McCallion and starring Kevin Corrigan. 41 STRANGE is her debut book. She lives in Los Angeles.

Arthur K. Flam was born in New York City and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in writing, and from New York University with an M.F.A. in film. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Johns Hopkins’s oldest literary magazine, ZENAIDA, and worked as a journalist for the BALTIMORE CHRONICLE. He started in the film industry as an assistant on Abel Ferrara’s vampire film, THE ADDICTION. He has co-written screenplays for the films PENNY DREADFUL and HIT AND RUN. 41 STRANGE is his first book. He lives in Los Angeles.

For More Information

Visit the authors’ website.
Connect with the authors on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact the authors here.

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of 41 Strange Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam.

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A Tag Team Event – Beware of her Wrath – Fanged Princess by Elisabeth Wheatley

Posted on July 27, 2014 by fundinmental

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Welcome to my Tag Team Events!

Laura and I are the Tag Team Bloggers.

You can find Laura at fuonlyknew.

We Tag Team an author and publish our posts at the same time.

Whether it’s for a cover reveal, giveaway, review, interview, or something more, the author will be tagged by us and you will be alerted to go to Laura’s blog or mine to see additional content. It’s really fun to see how differently we view the same book and you get an extra chance to win with our giveaways!

Elisabeth Wheatley’s Fanged Princess series are vampire fantasy novellas that had me racing through the pages as I was drawn into Haddassah’s journey of love, sacrifice, revenge and suspense. I could not quit reading until the last page was read in Fanged Outcast.

I was left hanging off the cliff by my fingertips. I have a feeling all will be well (^_^), but I have to know how.

Fanged Princess is now officially free on all venues.

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I would like to take a moment and introduce you to Elisabeth Wheatley.

She is an outstanding young author that loves fantasy.

Welcome Elisabeth.

How my central Texas upbringing plays into writing about a girly vampire

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Okay, so maybe Haddie isn’t what you’d call “girly.” She doesn’t do much makeup and she’s been known to hotwire cars. However, she does like her ankle boots and designer jackets (who doesn’t?) and landing in Texas, where most of the story takes place, is more than a little adjustment for her.

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It just so happens I grew up around diehard rednecks of central Texas (though as far as I know, none of them hunted vampires). For the record, there really are girls who wear cowboy boots all over the doggone place and environmental lawyers who carry shotguns in their trucks and belong to the Sierra Club. That part of the series I haven’t made up.

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I know all about what it’s like to run through the underbrush of the Texas woods because I did it on more than one occasion as a tomboyish little country lass. I might not be a vampire, but I have gotten second degree sunburns because I was too vain to go without a tan.

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Though I grew up around the cowboy culture, so to speak, I must admit I often feel as out of place as Haddie at rodeos and livestock shows. Let’s face it, horses are awesome—but pigs, cows, sheep, and just about everything else is dusty, dirty, noisy, and more or less disgusting.

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Somebody once said “write what you know” and while I generally scoff and roll my eyes at that advice (has Joss Whedon ever taken a trip on Serenity?), it seems in this case I have followed it.

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Thanks for having me by on your blog of über-awesomeness and helping spread the word, Sherry!

It is my pleasure to have you here today Elisabeth. I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

I love the beautiful cover. She looks so sweet, doesn’t she? Beware of her wrath.

Fanged Princess by Elisabeth Wheatley

MY REVIEW

OMG. I was completely engrossed in this fantastic fantasy of love, sacrifice, revenge and suspense!

The cast of characters comes alive on the pages and Elisabeth creates some surprising alliances as they struggle to survive. At one point I am leaning forward in my chair as I breathlessly read the words flowing off the page.

Haddie is an enforcer, A Kaiju, a vampire. She had never killed anyone to feed and because of her own experience never would.

Damian, her brother is in love with a human, Madelyn.Haddie knew her father would not let the relationship continue. After all, he had ended the relationship she had with the human, Fletcher.

The trio are on the run from Haddie’s father and she will do whatever needs to be done to let them have a life together, the life she was deprived of. But they can’t do it alone. Who would help them?

Yeah, this might have been shades of Twilight, but it is so much more than that and I really enjoyed Twilight.

My feelings about Madelyn grow and change as the story unfolds and her love and loyalty shine through.

Chase – Hmmm. What can I say, except I can hardly wait to get to know him better.

I think short stories must be some of the hardest stories to write. How do you pack so much into such a small package and keep the reader at your mercy.? Elisabeth did that splendidly and I can’t wait to read more of Haddie’s story in the Fanged Outcast.

The three humans survey me with apprehension. A fanged princess in their midst.

I received Fanged Princess from the author in return for an honest review.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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I will not let my brother suffer the same loss…

Hadassah’s father, the Vampire King, punished her harshly for her choice to love a human. Now her brother, the only person in the world who still matters to her, has fallen for a human girl. Determined to keep the girl safe, the three of them flee from their home in New England and find themselves cornered with their father’s minions closing in. If they want to escape, their only hope may be to join forces with the mortal enemies of their kind…

Be ensnared in this dark tale of enduring love, revenge, and suspense from teenage author, Elisabeth Wheatley.

Kindle / Nook / Smashwords / iBooks.

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You can read Laura’s, at fuonlyknew, review HERE.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elisabeth Wheatley is a teen author of the Texas Hill Country. When she’s not daydreaming of elves, vampires, or hot guys in armor, she is wasting time on the internet, fangirling over indie books, and training her Jack Russell Terrier, Schnay.

Stalk Elisabeth Wheatley. She doesn’t bite, or does she?

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Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Pinterest / Tumblr

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To grab a copy of Elisabeth Wheatley’s books, simply click on the cover below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Must Read PNR & Character Interview – Purr-Fect Mating by Sheryl Winters

Posted on July 23, 2014 by fundinmental

After reading Purr-fect Mating by Sheryl Winters, a fantastic paranormal novella, I am so excited to have Fhina here today, right after my review.

We have a lot to share, so fix yourself a cuppa, put up your feet and let’s begin.

MY REVIEW

Here Kitty, Kitty

OMG! This was such a fun read! The writing was light and chockfull of humor. Werecat meets wereshifter and they fall in love. But that’s not the end of the story. I read Purr-fect Mating in less than 40 minutes. I loved it and couldn’t stop until the last word was read. A Purr-fect ending that had me smiling…..again.

Fhina could smell the shifter and the human. Will her inner Kitty be necessary to save the wereshifter from the human hunter?

She called herself a loner Kitty and she was a bad Kitty for even thinking such sexy thoughts about the guy she found on her porch.

Of course, they will get together, but they each carry their own curse and the result of their mating was not what they planned.

Wulfar will be a wolf, except for one day a year. Fhina will forget Wulfar is her mate.

She awakes and wonders when she got a dog? I busted out laughing. You HAVE to be there to get the full affect. If you love the paranormal, this is a MUST READ.

Kitty stole my heart and I laughed my way through the book. I have never met a werecat, but I would love to meet Fhina and have her come out to play. I think we could be great friends.

Sheryl Winter’s creation of Kitty’s inner dialogue is mind blowing. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, repeatedly. I know I keep repeating myself, but I am still amazed at how much I enjoyed reading Purr-fect Mating.

A quick, easy and fun read. The short story flows so well, I raced through the pages and reached the end all too soon. I knew it had to have a happy ending, but the journey is one I won’t soon forget.

I received an ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH FHINA

“I’m here with the author of ‘One Hundred and One Way’s to Piss Off a Tiger. The breaking of our mutual curses and the counter charms that refused to work on them.”

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I settle myself into the kitchen chair hastily moved into the living room by Fhina’s extremely good looking husband.

“You stated in your book that you spent nearly three months unable to recognize your husband in his wolf form. Then you go on to describe in bitter detail how each counter charm worked against your curse. Can you tell me a little about it?”

“Well the book itself explains in lengthy detail how I used every counter charm. It took months of researching. Then of course, as you’ll read, the curse ended on it’s own.” Fhina slides a pair of glasses up on top of her hair. She’s nudging a large stroller back and forth with her feet. Her daughter Angel is sound asleep inside it. The tiny blonde baby is a guaranteed heart breaker when she’s older.

In the kitchen, Fhina’s husband Wulfar is learning over the table. A flat edged pencil is behind one ear, his son Blade, strapped to his back. A blue print is lying on the table before him and he’s measuring out two more rooms.

“Can you explain what brought you to the decision to write about your curses.”

“I was writing a novel at the time and naturally as I tried to break our curses I began taking notes. Before I knew it I realized I was writing a book.” Fhina points towards a bookcase, so new that the stain is so bright it attacks the eyes. The case is full of books, curse books to be precise. They practically shout obscenities at you with each new title. Their dark cover jackets are dark and threatening a complete opposite of this charming little home. “Those will all go in the new library, the one Wulf..” She coughs, “My husband Wulfar is building.”

I check out the various titles in the book case, “Fhina, what was the worst curse you researched?”

“Personally, I think forgetting her mate was about as bad as it could get.” Wulfar deep voice booms out from the other room.

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“Just ignore him. Although, just this once I’d say he’s right.” Fhina twists her mouth thoughtfully, “I might need a moment on this one.”

“What’s the matter Babe? Cat got your tongue?” Wulfar laughs from his position at the table.

“Oh you!” Fhina snorts. “Don’t mind him. He’s been impossible since he returned to his human form. Seriously though, you asked which curse I think is the worst.” She pulls out her new book and strokes the front cover lovingly. The spine is so stiff it crackles as she opens it. She flips through the pages past pictures of three rattle snakes and baby guppies until she reaches one entitled ‘The real curse of the Egyptians.

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There is a picture of a rather large lich in all his glory, skin torn and corroded, bandages rolling off him down the corridor into the beyond. Around his neck is a thick leather collar and it’s attached to a heavy chain held tight by a small wizard standing next to him. The diminutive man is dressed in dark blue robes is grinning like a fool.

“I would say one of the worst curses I researched were those of the Ancient Egyptians. The Kings and Queens created them from their most trusted servants. An undead slave, doomed to serve those who pass on,” She shudders, “In the last decade, six Liches have appeared. The last one being only a few years ago. These former living, destroy crops, stir up plagues of mosquito’s, create electrical shortages,” She frowns. “Oh sorry, I think that last one was just a bad transformer.”

“Is there any curse you wish you had?” I tap against my notebook. Curiosity brimming.

“Well there is one.” She darts a glance at Wulfar. “there’s a silence spell I’ve been eying but with my luck I’d be stuck with it.”

“Fhina,” Wulfar frowns. He has his hands to his hips, as Alpha as there ever was one. Instead of cowering as most wives of Alpha’s do, Fhina throws her head and laughs heartily.

Eager to get the interview back on track, I decide to try another tactic, “How about we try some rapid responses. Just a few simple questions, say the first thing that pops into your head? What word comes to mind when I say…biscuit?”

“Gravy.” Fhina pats her stomach, eliciting a snort from her husband.

“Little?”

“Babies.” She picks up Angel who’s now awake and yawning. She grabs her mother’s hair and pulls, eliciting a wince from Fhina.

“Pet.”

“Wulfy.” Fhina peals back her daughter’s fingers with a sly look at her husband.

Within seconds Wulfar hearty laughter is booming around the room and we’re all sharing it with him. Shaking my head, I pack up to leave this happy home, I can’t help but wonder if their curse did them more good than bad.

That was AWESOME Sheryl and I want to thank you so much for bringing Fhina and the gang to visit fundinmental.

And now – CHECK OUT the grogeous cover and be sure to enter the giveaway below.

Title: Purr-fect Mating (A Lil Genie Series Novella)

Author: Sheryl Winters

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: June 23, 2014

Keywords: Paranormal, Romance, Shifters

SYNOPSIS

On their wedding night, at the stroke of midnight, Wulfar changes into his shifted wolf form and cannot shift back. Not even to communicate with the woman he loves.

Fhina, upon waking the day after their mating, no longer recognizes her mate. Pregnant and confused, she’s convinced herself her mate has run away and left her to live alone. With his dog.

Can the cursed pair find a counter charm before Fhina gives birth? Will Wulfar be able to curb his inclination to run?

Or will their mutual curses break up their love affair before it’s really even started.

Purchase Links: They will be sent 2-3 days before release. PLEASE be on the lookout – check your spam box.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.

Ms. Winter’s Links: Website / Blog / Facebook/ Twitter

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Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Purr-Fect Mating by Sheryl Winters.

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GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Two DARK Reviews in honor of the release of Dark Secrets by Madeline Pryce

Posted on July 21, 2014 by fundinmental

I have read the first book in the Dark Series by Madeline Pryce, Dark Carvings and loved it, so when I was given the opportunity to read, review and participate in the tour for Dark Secrets, I jumped on it. Madeline’s writing makes these novels outstanding paranormal romances that will linger long after the reading is done.

Dark Secrets (Dark #2)

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

ISBN: 9781419991370

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Theme: Vampire/Demon (a few shape shifters thrown in there…)

Length: 85,000 words

MY REVIEW

Spoiler alert: Dark Secrets, Book II in the Dark Series, Ella’s story continues.

Dark Secrets is a fast paced, action packed paranormal romance novel.

Ella had worked for The Shadow Agency as a vampire hunter. She had killed without thought.

Vampires and demons – bad. Humans – good.

Since her death by Lizbeth and her full change from human to vampire, her black and white world has gone gray. Her ability to tell the difference between them was growing dimmer. Now I was the enemy and on trial for my life.

I am the Vampire Queen, since I had killed Lizbeth, the Vampire Queen before me. I inherited all she owned. I now rule vampires and werewolves. The prophecy foretold that the vampire queen and demon son would wreak havoc and destruction and so far Micah and I had fulfilled it. We knew what they were really talking about is the child we were supposed to produce.

Ella and Micah had husband and wife difficulties, just like us mortals. She questioned – does he still want me, does he still love me? Vampires and demons are insecure too.

Madeline’s articulate descriptions of the characters allow me to see them in my mind, as if they are standing before me. Her ability to describe the surroundings and action run through my mind as if they are a scene in a movie.

I was pissed when Madeline made Ella a wuss. How can you take a badass hunter/killer and turn her into an insecure, doubting crybaby?

“…your emotions are all over the place, like you swallowed crazy pills or some shit. You aren’t my Ella. My Ella fights, kicks, punches and screams. She doesn’t cry….”

Pretty much covers my question. I guess if I went from a human, with my job hunting and killing vampires, to becoming a vampire queen with superpowers, I might be afraid and confused. Afraid of what I might do. Afraid I couldn’t control myself and my powers. Now she is forced to make a decision. She must act like a queen or step aside.

When Julian made his move – OMG I was blown away. It can’t be. So not what I anticipated. I am in a hurry to find out Micah’s reaction.

Madeline’s writing has me engrossed from page one. The action begins and never ends. My emotions run from happy and laughing to devastated and stunned. Just when I think I know what is coming, she throws a curve ball that makes me shake my head and say, “Well done, Madeline. You got me there.” I love when an author can add that extra something that leaves a lasting impression on me.

I received a Dark Secrets by Madeline Pryce ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Holy fucking shit. Karma – the bitch – had cashed in my meal ticket and tried to send me to hell.

“If this is about leaving the toilet seat up, I’ll stop bitching about it.” “The toilet seat? What? Jesus fucking Christ . I just threw a fireball at you and you’re talking about the crapper?”

Madeline manages to weave some humor in with the dark and violent.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

BLURB

The worst moment of Micah’s life was when Ella nearly died in his arms. Her miraculous recovery should have been the start of their future. Unfortunately, a new demonic heritage, the Shadow Agency’s corruption and Julian, the vampire who turned Ella, are testing their relationship. Despite hotter-than-ever sex and a variety of new places and positions to explore, Micah begins to wonder if a relationship based on lust can survive for more than a few scorching-hot months.

Ella has forgiven, but not forgotten, the fact that Micah once plunged a dagger through her heart. Everything with Micah is passion, excitement and an uncontrollable desire to explore his body in a variety of very satisfying ways. But as buried secrets, ongoing lies and murderous deceptions pile up, Ella is reminded that she and Micah’s relationship was based on a curse. In order to forge a future together, Ella and Micah will have to face down their personal demons—and prove that love and trust are more than just words.

A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Buy Links

Amazon US / Amazon Ca / Amazon UK / Amazon AU / BN (Nookie!) / Kobo

Series Reading Order

Dark Cravings (#1 Ella/Micah – 85k)

Dark Innocence (#1.5 Hannah – 45k)

Dark Secrets (#2 Ella/Micah – 85k)

Dark Vengeance (#2.5 Castro – 45k) – release date coming soon!

Dark Promises (#3 Ella/Micah) – Spring 2015

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DARK CRAVINGS, Book I by Madeline Price

My 5 Star Review

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DARK INNOCENCE, Book 1.5 by Madeline Pryce

MY REVIEW

Cover design: Willo

Cover photography: Andrei Vishnyakov/fotolia.com, Artem Efimov/shutterstock.com

Book 1.5 of the Dark Series. Erotic, recommended for adults only.

While reading book I, I became very fond of Hannah. She is such a good person. I am so happy that Madeline felt the same way I did. Hannah’s story needed to be told. I knew it would be full of life – good, bad, tragic and blissful.

Madeline Pryce’s writing, I am sure, will be heating up the pages if not burning the book, or should I say melting my Kindle. I might need to have a fire extinguisher nearby. LOL

Hi Hannah. I am pleased to meet you. I have been waiting, ever so patiently, to read your story.

Hannah is a goodie two shoes and has an eidetic memory. Since being kidnapped and tortured by the vampire queen, Lizbeth, she is full of self disgust. She plays leap frog, jumping from guy to guy, popping pills and drinking booze, anything to escape the memories.

Dante, a shapeshifting six hundred pound lion, had rescued her six weeks ago. He was an Adonis and fifteen years older than her. He is tall and powerful. When he walks into a room, he gives off such intense vibes they demand your attention. The age difference kept them apart, but she could not deny her attraction. He is the only one who could make her feel safe. For now, she will have to settle for being best friends.

Dante is a man I can love. A man who will hold your hair out of the way while puking, after fucking someone else, well, what more can I say?

Hannah had been rescued, but there was still someone left, someone who meant her great harm, Mr. Restricted, her stalker. Who is he? Maybe what is he would be more appropriate.

OMG The car. Who’s that knocking on the window? TERROR Hannah tried to make herself small, curling tightly into the seat. Her eyes dart back and forth, frantically looking around, desperate for help. She flashes back to the pain and torture that haunts her since the kidnapping. She is shaking, calling out to Ella, her sister, for help. Where Hannah is sunshine and flowers, Ella is darkness and death.

“I didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”
“I should’ve been able to block you. I didn’t expect you to get all she-woman on my ass and kick my butt.”

“I broke it?”

The dialogue is quick and witty. At times I felt a chuckle or outright laugh escape as I read along.

“Ella, please tell me that we don’t look that pathetic,” Micah said in self disgust.

“…you’ve already broken the man’s nose – the date can only go uphill from there.”

When Dante said, “This is the worst first date I’ve every had,” I laughed right along with him.

I knew Hannah’s story would be a good one. I love badass Ella, but I knew Hannah had a life changing story. I wanted to see her grow and develop into the strong woman I knew she would become. Madeline Pryce’s writing can be down right gross and disgusting, but it keeps me on my toes. It went from killing and savagery to light and whimsical with witty dialogue and funny moments that kept me engrossed. The novel is smoking hot, but there is so much more going on than just sex. Madeline’s superb writing and storytelling ability always leave me Craving more.

“Oh man, oh man,” I say as I rub my hands together with a wicked grin on my face. Now it’s time to find out what Ella is up to.

I received a Dark Innocence by Madline Pryce ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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ABOUT MADELINE PRYCE

Madeline Pryce wrote her first novel when she was ten, penned with neon-pink ink in a loose-leaf binder. Captivated by romantic literature, yet intrigued by the paranormal, she continues to develop her own voice, writing the kinds of stories that inspired her as a teen.

Author Links

Blog / Facebook Page / Facebook (I welcome friends!) / Facebook Fan Group / Twitter

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Click on the cover below to pick up your Amazon copy now.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

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

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A Tag Team Giveaway Event – Stunning New Cover for Apocalyptic Novel – Wormwood by D H Nevins

Posted on July 16, 2014 by fundinmental

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Welcome to my Tag Team Events!

Laura and I are the Tag Team Bloggers.

You can find Laura at fuonlyknew.

We Tag Team an author and publish our posts at the same time.

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D H Nevins is here today to tell you how excited she is to share the new cover for Wormwood and how it came about.

Welcome, D. It is wonderful to have you here today. Take it away.

The Alternatives

It was exceedingly difficult to select my favourite cover. Every mock-up Derek created was incredible in its own right, and it would be a shame not to share them. So in all their glory, here are the other options he came up with.

The third one—the one with the wing obscuring the girl’s face—is so amazing, I’d very much like to use it as the cover for my sequel, Angel of Shadow.

What do you think?

I think it would be awesome D. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. ^_^

A New Cover for Wormwood

First of all, before I say anything else, let me introduce Wormwood’s new cover. Oh, and before I do that, I should forewarn you that I’m a tad biased about this…

The New

This beauty took my breath away the moment I saw it. As an author, I couldn’t ask for a better representation of my work. And I’m kind of picky—so that says a lot! The image projects a mood that reflects the feel of my story so perfectly, I knew the cover artist understood Wormwood on multiple levels. But even if we’re just talking aesthetics, well, although I am most definitely biased, I think this is one fantastic-looking cover!

The Old

I originally had a different cover for Wormwood. It was a simple black and white etching by Gustave Doré, depicting a fallen angel reaching towards the heavens. The sheer turmoil apparent through the angel’s expression and pose not only fascinated me, but seemed a perfect depiction of the conflict raging through Tiamat, a half-angel in Wormwood. However, the etching–although classic–was hardly a trendy cover. The story itself was very well-received, but I found that people had trouble getting past the antiquated-looking cover in order to take a chance on reading what was within. My love for the cover, it seemed, was a lonely one!

The Cool How

About a month ago, I was contacted by cover artist extraordinaire, Derek Murphy. He had read Wormwood and subsequently offered to make up a new cover for the book—for free. Surprised, flattered and curious about the vision he had for Wormwood, I heartily agreed.

Then, as you know, the resulting cover blew my expectations out of the water! Its impact was immediate.

Why it Works

The image depicts the book genre clearly. The colour contrast is striking, which catches the eye instantly. Plus, it’s incredibly professional.

It also fits the story.

On a literal note, the protagonist is a strong female, adept with a crossbow, yet still out of her element. However, she would never admit it. I could see this in her stance. Yet the cover holds so much more than a simple literal representation of Wormwood. Derek recreated the feel of the book perfectly. The mixture of light and darkness remind me of a review Wormwood once received which, in part, said, “The lines will be blurred between good and evil, love and hate, truth and lies, and hero and antagonist.” The hazy fusion of sunlight and shadow reflect this beautifully. The unsettled, foreboding skies mirror the mood of this dark, post-apocalyptic story, and the falling feathers are a nice touch. They hint at the half-angels in the story without hitting potential readers over the head with their existence. The fact the feathers are broken and falling is also perfect, but I hesitate to say why… after all, I don’t want to spoil the most exciting parts of the book!

My Thanks

Naturally, I wouldn’t be sharing this with you if it wasn’t for Derek Murphy. His outstanding covers and unprecedented talent can be seen on his website, CreativIndie Covers. Have a look at http://bookcovers.creativindie.com/

And of course, I would like to extend a huge thanks to Sherry Fundin for her generosity in allowing me to ramble on about my new cover here on her blog. Thank you so very much, Sherry!

Thank you D. That is a fascinating story of what teamwork and the generosity of the indie and blogging world can accomplish.

Now for a little video entertainment to round off your eye candy fix.

After this fantastic trailer, which is so descriptive of the world devastation in the book, please continue reading for my review.

My 5 Star Review of Wormwood by D H Nevins

I won this book through fuonlyknew’s blog. I would like to thank Laura and D. H.Nevins for the giveaway.

Right off, the cover grabbed me. I didn’t know what to think of the title, but as you read the book, you will find out what it means.

The writing is excellent. Wormwood starts out fast and holds your attention throughout. The description of the devastation made me able to visualize the world around them. I can’t find the words to describe it myself, but D. H. did a great job of it.

The actions of Tiamat will make you question things yourself. Is God a kind, gentle person, or is he vengeful and vindictive? And what about angels?

As I was reading I kept thinking of Supernatural. I watch the reruns on TV most mornings. This book reminded a lot of how God and the Angels treated humans on the show. If you’ve watched it, you’ll know exactly what I mean. God has his own agenda and the angels will follow it, us humans are along for the ride.

The relationship between Kali and Tiamat, and Tiamat and God, was creative and complex. For me, it raises more questions than answers. I am sure most everyone has asked “Why Me?” more than once.

The biodegradable soap made me chuckle along with Kali. Tiamet was thoughtful, like when he supplied her with toiletries and clothes, but he stood away from her emotionally and physically.

The things that happened to her, could make the strongest person give in to the misery, horror, devastation, desolation, abuse………..

This is an amazing apocalytic/dystopian novel that will take you into another world. The details and descriptions enabled me to visualize the surroundings and characters as they struggle to stay alive long enough to find their destiny. Very well done and I can hardly wait to read the sequel, Angel of Shadow. Happy writing D!

SYNOPSIS

Against a devastated landscape, a legion of one hundred fierce half-angels is hell bent on purging the Earth of all humans. But one of them, the tormented Tiamat, struggles against his mission, and when he rescues a beautiful woman named Kali, he finds the attraction as troubling as it is dangerous. Can Kali trust the one creature who could be responsible for her ultimate demise?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a quiet area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day, she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Wormwood by D H Nevins.

GIVEAWAY

In celebration of the new cover, D H Nevins is giving away 5 ebooks of Wormwood to 5 lucky commenters. Please leave your email address and answer the question:

Which cover would you choose and why?

This is a Tag Team Event sponsored by fundinmental and fuonlyknew. For another chance to win, go HERE.

Giveaway ends July 30, 2014.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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See The Evil – Joe by H D Gordon with lots of goodies & Giveaway

Posted on July 8, 2014 by fundinmental

I have tons of good stuff to share with you – my review, a guest post and poem by H D Gordon, an excerpt, the book synopsis and a giveaway.

Sooooo, let’s begin.

GUEST POST.

I would like to start by welcoming H D Gordon to my blog today.

I am honored to have you here today H D.

I suppose I should tell you why you should read JOE, but if the blurb about a school shooter, a young stuttering clairvoyant girl who tries to stop it, and six people who will all be in the line of fire come the day of the shooting doesn’t do it for ya, I’ve probably lost you already.

So, since I plan on releasing a poetry book soon (find me on Twitter or Facebook if you care to be updated) how’s about a little poetry? This one is an oldie but a goodie. I wrote it a while ago but it remains one of my favorites. It’s honest. Read it out loud if you want to truly dig the rhyme scheme, and dream on, brothers and sisters.

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Afraid to Dream

By: H. D. Gordon

There is an uncertainty, that’s so certain it’s almost absolute, half of me is staring wide-eyed at the future and never blinking once as fireworks and sparklers blaze in my eyes, as I look, and all of it, so close, so obtainable, so much better than even it can seem

I’m almost afraid to dream

That I could do the things I’ve seen others, though there are few, that I could do those things, maybe even better than most would have me do, but really, I’m just afraid to grow old and never realize my potential, to watch myself settle into something, someone, I was never meant to be

I’m almost afraid to dream

That I could be successful, wildly so, if only I could tie, wrap up and secure in chains, the little girl who found out, maybe a little too early, that fairytales don’t come true, and who shakes her head and imposes more sensible life goals, if only I could chain her down and force her to sit in a back corner room of my mind until she could read what I mean

She’s way too afraid to dream

That they were wrong. All wrong. Wrong when they thought me fool and failure, wrong when they knew I had talent and said you’re going nowhere, the same ones who will love me when it all comes together and some of them love me truly but what does it matter when they help me believe

It’s okay to be afraid to dream

As long as I dream, and dreams I do have, they haunt me and taunt me to grab with everything in me, reach for the sunrise and horizon, just keep reaching and reaching until my arms ache, and keep giving me reason to say, it’s okay, you’re doubt is okay, I’m just another girl who knows her way, and I’ll reach until I can reach no more, and I’ll follow some rules and I’ll break even more, but sometimes, it gets harder and harder to breathe

That’s when I’m afraid to dream

Because dreams wash away, they sway and they gray and then all of a sudden you’re empty, left with a large hole in your soul where a dream is supposed to be, and you’ll squint and you’ll strain and still it gets harder to see, but there, there, back in that corner a something blazes, and it’s far and it’s faint and it’s crude and it leans but it means

What is life without hopes and dreams?

Lovely, H D. I am a dreamer and I enjoyed the poem tremendously.

I hope you enjoy the tour and my review. Feel free to drop by any time.

MY REVIEW

H D Gordon never ceases to amaze me with her ability to spin a tale. Joe reads as if it is a character study of people just living their lives. Her characters are superbly developed, with individual personalities that we can all relate to because they are like the people around us. There are six main characters, but I came to know some of the others pretty well. One person led into the next to the next. H D wove them together so naturally, I could see how we are all connected, creating a continuity of life. Each character has wishes, desires, hopes, plans and problems.

Don’t forget to live for today, it can all change in a second. That is the feeling I have while reading. There is tension, suspense and a feeling of doom. I know something bad is coming and I’m waiting for “the shit to hit the fan”.

“Evil is not just a thing of fairy tales. Evil is real and it walks among us.”

“That’s life baby and that shit ain’t always fair.”

My name is Joe and I draw my visions and premonitions. Some people think I’m strange. Well, who isn’t? I am a bit paranoid and mistrustful. I am a recluse, because of my stutter and gift. I write because I need to tell my story. I am 21 and just an average girl, except for my gift. I am taking the semester off from UMM – University of Midwest Missouri State. I am not hero. I only step in because of guilt. (But she puts her life on the line repeatedly over and over for others).

John became Joe’s friend after meeting in class. They were not in love, just friends. John had lost his love, Jade. Was she lost forever? She was back and wanted to see him on Monday. Monday a new day, a new week and new hope for John.

Nikkie and Claire – her sisters – are as different as night and day. Nikki is the black sheep of the family. She lives as if there is no tomorrow. Claire feels trapped. She is the good girl, the one expected to succeed. Claire would have loved Nikki’s freedom. She smoked pot, but only her roommate knew. What would everyone, her family and peers, think of miss-do-gooder if they knew? Claire was always planning for tomorrow. Claire is weak. She’s so afraid of life, the thought of retirement is terrifying.

Claire says to Nikki, “I’ll tell you this, you’re not going to be lying on your deathbed wishing you had spent more of your life working.”

Nikki “When you become aware of people’s natural inclinations and limitations, you can understand them and if you don’t expect from them what their nature doesn’t give, you’ll never be disappointed.” Great words to live by.

Best friends – Kayla and Kyle, sound a bit like Barbie and Ken. Giving and did not like or want attention. They were underestimated by others and like it that way.

I have a very good feeling about Mr. Landy.

Merion is one of Joe’s college teachers. He was going to let her retake her test on Monday, even though she had not planned on being at school that day.

Eric had an important appointment on Monday and needed permission to be out of town. He had worked so hard for this moment. What do you think will happen?

Michael is intrigued by her. She stood apart from others.

The Decider saw a raven sitting on top of the jaguar that is situated on the slight rise overlooking the Quad. Yet, it wasn’t there. Ravens are known to denote foreshadowing. Joe called him the shadowman.

Psychopath – he wants to leave a legacy of dead bodies. He feels he is greater than Hitler. He feels that others think him simple, but he thinks he is smart. He is meticulous. He has a face that hides the monster inside. He hates everyone. He believes in the “Survival of the Fittest.”

Joe – I see visions and I draw. Motherfucker. I have an awful obligation to do what I can. What to do? Would she fail in this also?

I love H D Gordon’s writing style. I don’t think it would matter what genre she wrote in. Her ability to spin a story is of the highest caliber, as are the stories themselves. I have read numerous books by her and loved them all. Joe, Book II is now out.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received the ebook in return for an honest and unbiased review. Thanks H!

This is an awesomely beautiful and captivating cover.

I love it, and I mean LOVE it, for its simplicity and suggestion of what is to come.

Look deep into her eyes, before you look deep into her soul.

Genres: Paranormal Thriller, Supernatural Thriller, NA, Thriller

Tour Promo Price: $2.99

BLURB

A psychopath planning a massacre. A stuttering young girl with disturbing visions of the future. Six ordinary people who will all be in the line of fire come the day of the disaster.

Joe Knowe is not a boy. She is twenty-one years old, and she sees things before they happen; bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. A madman is going to shoot up the college Joe attends. The trouble is, her gift is stingy on the details she needs to divert the impending tragedy. Now, Joe has four days to figure out the mystery and save the lives of many.

From the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga comes a tense tale that glimpses the mind of a genuine psychopath, follows an unlikely hero, and explores real-life terror in a race against time that will leave the reader breathless.

EXCERPT

Prologue

~The Decider~

It was a Monday.

The worst days are typically Mondays. But this one was alright. Different, sure, but alright. He’d made plans for today. He’d not only made plans, but acquired the artillery to back them up. Put them into action. Bang-Bang.

One song had played on a continuous loop in his apartment for the past three days.

Come Monday

He didn’t much care for music. Never really had, but this particular song amused him. Perhaps would have comforted him. If he were able to feel any emotion required to be in need of comfort.

It’ll be all right

He couldn’t wait to see their faces, to watch as they fled and cowered in fear. In fear of him. The thought of it all made his heart leap in his chest. And, oh, what a wonderful sensation that was. Potent. They should fear him. Hell yeah, they should. He could take his pick, and he would. They just didn’t know it yet, which was great, because they would know soon. They would know today.

Come Monday

He drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel in time to the tune, but had no mind of doing so. He was excited. Such a rare, beautiful thing this was, this excitement. The anticipation of it all, all his plans coming to life, of all their….faces. He bet some would try to beg, and wouldn’t that be amusing, to watch them crawl at his feet? They would know in that wonderful moment right before he ended their worthless existences that he had made the decision.

I’ll be holding you tight.

He reached down and brushed his fingers across the semi-automatic pistol sitting atop the passenger seat. It was the smallest of the lot, but his favorite. His baby. In the end, it would relieve him of his existence as well, but oh, the wonders the two of them will have seen together. He thought about what they would say in the news about him and his…decisions. Lunatic, Gunman, Madman…Massacre.

The last was his favorite.

If things went according to plan he may be able to take out a hundred, hundred-fifty people. If the bombs he’d built went according to plan he would take out many more. Hundreds. He dared to dream even thousands as he cruised down Highway 71 toward the Wilker campus of the University of Midwest Missouri State. UMMS for short. He hated that. Stupid fucking acronym. Man, he hoped his bombs worked. He’d followed the instructions on the internet as precisely as he could manage, but wiring the timers on the damn things had been tricky. It didn’t really matter, though. He would watch them fall to him either way.

In fact, he knew just what they would do.

They would be heartbroken and crying to their mommies. They would light candles and say prayers and mutter condolences, like any of them were even intelligent enough to give a shit about another worthless human being. The police chief and reporters would call him a madman, a psychopath, a murderer. They would analyze the video journals and poetry he left scattered about his apartment. And they won’t learn a damn thing. Because that’s how fucking stupid they were.

Oh, and there would be a body count. If things went according to plan, if the rockets’ red glared and bombs burst in the air, they would stamp his Decisions in the book of records.

The worst massacre in the history of the U-ni-ted States of Amer-i-ca.

The thought made his heart soar.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

H. D. Gordon is the bestselling author of THE ALEXA MONTGOMERY SAGA, THE JOE KNOWE SERIES, and THE SURAH STORMSONG NOVELS. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty five years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

Connect With H.D. Gordon: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Joe by H D Gordon.

GIVEAWAY.

Win a paperback copy of Joe! Enter through Goodreads.

Show H D some love and let her know what you think of the cover, blurb, my review, her bio, whatever strikes your fancy.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Unofficial Book Trailer and Cover for Joe, Book II, by H D Gordon

Guest Post and Review – Shooting Stars, A Surah Stormsong Novel by H D Gordon

Review of Redemption: Book IV of The Alexa Montgomery Saga by H D Gordon

Awesome new cover for Half–Black Soul by H. D, Gordon

FANGED MANIA # 8 – Review of The Rise: The Alexa Montgomery Saga, Book III by H. D. Gordon

Fanged Mania #4 – Giveaway/Review of Half Black Soul by H. D. Gordon

Blood Warrior by H D Gordon

What is it like to work in Hell – Find out by reading See you in Hell by Demelza Carlton

Posted on June 30, 2014 by fundinmental

I first learned of Demelza Carlton when I ran across a tour for Ocean’s Gift, a mermaid tale. I loved it. You can see my 5 Star review HERE.

This series came out and I saw the covers and titles, how could I resist?

A hilariously fun romp through HELL with Mel.

I have read and reviewed the FREE short story, Welcome To Hell by Demelza Carlton and loved it. See my 5 Star review HERE.

Lots of goodies today, so read and enjoy!

MY REVIEW

See You In Hell is an outstanding fun and sexy story of Mel’s job to find out what in the hell is going on at HELL Corporation. The writing will have you laughing at the disgusting behavior of Luce, who is the CEO of HELL, and Mel’s ability to keep him in check. Inner office politics are at work, just as in the normal world. Will she be successful or will she end up as corrupted as the ones before her?

Spoiler alert (even though I don’t believe there is anything here that would ruin Welcome To Hell for you) but it is Book II in the Mel Goes To Hell Series.

See You In Hell starts where Welcome To Hell left off.

“Congratulations on your new job. We’ll See You In Hell at nine on Monday morning.”

She was the only angel left and she was determined to take on HELL and win.

She worked for the Helpful Angels Agency doing temp jobs. She had been hired by HELL (Health, Environment, Life and Land) Corporation. She is the only angel, among all the demons. Of course, she had a target on her back. Could she keep from being corrupted? It would be hard, seeing Luce was Hot – in every way. LOL

Luce Iblis is the CEO. Most of us know him as Lucifer. Mel describes him leaning against the bar, with his lbulge show-cased, impossible to miss, like he’s God’s gift to women. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, drawing the attention to everyone in the dentist office. It is his was of saying, “Here it is, come and get it.” Would he be chasing her around his desk next? What do you think?

In his arrogance, he was stunned that she didn’t spread her legs on his desktop when he dropped his pants.

Did Luce really have temper tantrum?. Was it always his way or no way? Is it any different in the real world? Can there be good in a demon such as Lucifer or is he all bad? Can he feel fear, loneliness, love?

Mephi is the pit bull who guards his door, deciding who gets in to see him.

The banter and innuendos between Mel and Luce are more than hilarious. She gives better than she gets.

“You got balls, angel.”
“Actually, I don’t, but we’re not going there. I don’t do demons, Luce.”

Shopping in a sex shop was creepy and funny.

“Mel choked as she spotted a dildo so big she wondered how anyone could use it for anything but decorations.

….a display of dildoes with tentacles and what looked like strange torture implements….

Mel has a sense of humor and cares about others, even when they are demons. Will she be able to win them over? She even feels sympathy for Luce, but not desire. She loves to read. ^_^

“I’ve met worse humans than some of the demons in this office.”

I loved it when Mel had the winning number for the coffee machine raffle. Can you guess what the number was?

Oral sex from Lucifer himself well, there was an offer a girl didn’t get every day, much less an angel.

Hilarious. Uproariously funny. It is writing like this that makes See You In Hell a home run to me. Batting 100% for this 5 star series. Keep up the fantastic work, D.

Joke:…Anna Nicole Smith and Princess Diana arrived at the gates of Heaven for judgment.

Heaven was full and St Peter said they only had space for one more.

St Peter said, “Well a royal flush beats a pair any day!”

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received an ebook for review in conjunction with the tour. My review is honest and unbaised, my opinions and thoughts are my own.

SYNOPSIS

A devilishly hot CEO. The angelic new office temp. A match made in Heaven or Hell?

Melody Angel takes a job as a temp at the HELL Corporation. Surrounded by eternal bureaucracy gone mad, demons who love making life miserable, and dying for a decent coffee, it may take a miracle for Mel’s mission to succeed. She must find out what evil plans Lucifer and his minions have in store and stop them, using any means necessary.

Adding trouble and temptation to Mel’s job is Luce Iblis, the damnably hot CEO, who has set his smouldering eyes on the new office angel and he’s determined to claim her, body and soul.

Can ultimate evil and angelic perfection escape a limbo of desire and find a paradise of their own?

A tiny taste of what’s in store

I love this blurb and cannot help but laugh every time I read it.

“Do you know how long you’ve made me wait?” Luce lifted his chin. “Close the door.”

Mel turned and kicked the door shut with the sole of one shoe. The click of it closing coincided with her eyes meeting Luce’s once more.

“Now strip and get your arse on the desk,” Luce instructed.

Mel stared at him. He couldn’t be serious, could he?

“Every other girl in this building knows how to do as she’s told. Do you know how many girls I’ve had on this desk? You should consider yourself lucky. The last one I had in here was so quick getting undressed that I managed to give her a full fifteen minutes of my time. At this rate, you’ll be lucky to have five.”

Mel became transfixed by the timber desktop. “Did you wipe it clean afterwards?”

“What?” Luce’s face reddened.

Mel Goes to Hell series

• Welcome to Hell – A Short Story (#1) – FREE

See my 5 Star review HERE.

•See You in Hell (#2)

•Mel Goes to Hell (#3) – to be released in July 2014

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish. She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below. Sensationalist spin? No – Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all. Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world. The Ocean’s Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by her suspense thriller Nightmares trilogy.

She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn’t leave her alone.

Interested in visiting her web page or reading about her writing process?

GO HERE!

Author Links

Purchase Links

OR you can click on the cover below for you Amazon copy.

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Freakin Friday #17 Mini Review for Welcome to Hell by Demelza Carlton

Posted on June 27, 2014 by fundinmental

Freakin Friday!

Freakin Fridays is a meme brought to you by fuonlyknew. We will be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!

Tune in Friday and get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

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Welcome to Hell by Demelza Carlton is a hilarious introduction to the Hell Corporation. Good for some giggles and laughs as Demelza pokes fun at Hell. Meet Lucifer, the CEO and quite the hunk. He’s already got an evil glint in his eye when he literally runs into Mel as she is applying for a job. How would you prepare for a job at HELL Corporation? (Health Environments Life and Lands Corporation) Raphael at the Helpful Angels Agency tells her Mel has the job. She would be at Hells door promptly at nine. Demelza describes Mel’s commute on the train after the interview. I couldn’t help but chuckle as she talks about the briefcase, but I burst out belly laughing when she talked about farting. Does an Angel fart?

The story is FREE (click on the cover to get your copy).

Pick it up for a laugh or two and find out if See You in Hell is for you. My review for See You in Hell is coming on Monday, June 30, 2014.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

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

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Freebie and Review for Dark Deeds by Susan Fleet

Posted on June 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Dark Deeds: Serial killers stalkers and domestic homicides (Book 2)

by Susan Fleet

Stranger than fiction, a collection of 13 true crimes: the victims, the criminals, the bloody consequences. “Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. Well researched and well written. A 5 star recommend!” Art Smukler, psychiatrist & author

Dark Deeds (Book 2) is FREE June 23 through June 27, 2014.

Susan Fleet manages to weave her love of music into her suspense/thrillers novels.

Susan also investigates the dark side of human nature world wide. I think she is as curious as I am to know what makes these people tick.

Be aware, be vigilant , because sometimes the monster is right next door.

I love her website, so if this sounds like something you are interested in, check her out at Susan Fleet or Renzi’s Rants.

MY REVIEW

Each chapter features one true crime case – 4 serial killer cases, four stalker cases and four domestic homicide cases, with a special case in Chapter 13 that Susan found difficult to categorize.

Susan tells their life story, including where they are now. At least these ones you don’t need to worry about any more. If they are not dead, they will never walk the streets again.

No one knows how many serial killers are active in the US. Some people think as many as one hundred people are murdered by them each year, but that is not accounting for the ones never found.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

There are many more stalkers than serial killers and domestic homicide is a horrendous problem with most victims being women and children.

In the early years, before special investigation units, computers connecting similar cases in different states and advanced police techniques, who knows how many people could have been saved. We can see the advancement in police procedure has jumped by leaps and bounds.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

Serial killers often have a signature, something that stamps their name on a killing,. It can be how they kill or the trophies they take.

Stalker assassins attack celebrities, presidents and others because they believe they can get away with it. How does a man’s mind work, when he believes, in this day and age, that he can pull a gun on the president and walk away? They are obsessed and believe they are in love. They will become violent when confronted and rejected. California was the first state to pass anti stalking laws in 1990. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we waited so long and why did we? That may be a story in itself.

(Photos courtesy of Susan Fleet’s blog)

I read these type of books, because man’s cruelty and depravity heaped on others for pure enjoyment is very disturbing and I am fascinated (is that the proper word) by the question, why. What makes them tick?

I can never understand how a nurse could kill her patients. The bigger question is how can hospitals and medical management allow it to continue to happen. I think most of us have heard a story or two about a criminal having a long rap sheet and question why nothing was done sooner.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

I watch TV shows, like Criminal Minds (my personal favorite) and CSI, and see where they get their inspiration. I also watch a lot of the true crime shows, like Forensic Files and Cold Case. I have a morbid fascination with murder.

I do believe there is something wrong with these people, but I do not believe an insanity plea should get them off. They know the difference between right and wrong, they just don’t care. Sometimes, I think the justice system is skewed too much in favor of the accused and his rights and the victim is forgotten. After all, they can’t speak for themselves – because they are DEAD.

I cannot understand the binge killings, especially the ones committed by younger people. All the school shootings….I don’t even know what to say. It stuns me. Who are these “people”?

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

In some cases, I believe the murders could have been avoided. Some criminals have a rap sheet a mile long and are walking around and breathing air, just like you and me. Is it because we don’t believe anyone is capable of doing something like that or they are as bad as they are. or is the justice system overwhelmed with criminal cases?

Susan has done her research. Each story is told from beginning to end, telling us where these killers are today. She satisfied my curiosity about that. I still wonder, and probably will forever, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT AND WHY?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received Dark Deeds, Book II from Susan Fleet, the author, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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SYNOPSIS

Dark Deeds-Volume Two contains 12 new true crime cases about serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides.Once again, Susan Fleet has researched, written and compiled detailed accounts of twelve true crime cases: four serial killers, four stalkers and four domestic homicides. Chapter 13 involves a case that defies categorization. Some examples …

• Serial killers: The Candy Man loves little boys to death.
• Stalkers: Arthur Bremer and John Hinkley Jr. stalk Presidents.
• Domestic Homicide: A rabbi pays a man to murder his wife.

No one knows how many serial killers are roaming the United States. Some experts believe they murder as many as 180 people each year. Others say the count may be much higher because some serial killers hide the bodies and they’re never found. Stalkers far outnumber serial killers. Each year they threaten and intimidate 3.4 million people in America. Although stalkers may profess love for the objects of their obsession, many seriously injure or kill their “love object.”

Domestic homicide is rampant in the United States. Women and children rarely kill family members; men commit the majority of domestic homicides. Some are crimes of passion. Others are carefully calculated. Why bother with a divorce when you can kill your spouse?

Here’s what Arthur Smukler, MD, psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological mystery, said about Dark Deeds, Volume One: “In Dark Deeds, Susan Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers, and domestic homicides. An inveterate fiction enthusiast, I found her real-life tales obsessively haunting and educational.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Midway through her successful career as a professional trumpeter and music professor, Susan Fleet discovered her dark side and began writing crime fiction. New Orleans is the setting for her award-winning Frank Renzi mysteries, Absolution, Diva and Natalie’s Revenge. The Premier Book Awards named Absolution Best Mystery-Suspense-Thriller of 2009.

Susan lived in New Orleans for nine years and now divides her time between the Big Easy and Boston. Visit her website and send her an email. She’d love to hear from you! http://www.susanfleet.com

Her other passion is promoting talented women musicians. While teaching at Brown University and Berklee College of Music, she created a course about female musicians, jazz and classical. Read about them at http://archives.susanfleet.com/

Susan also blogs about crime on DARK DEEDS: serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_1.php
And don’t miss RENZI’S RANTS! NOPD Detective Frank Renzi rants about whatever is on his mind! http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog/renzirants.php

Some of her favorite authors are: Lisa Gardner, Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, Elmore Leonard, Thomas Perry and Martin Cruz Smith.

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To get your Amazon US copy of Dark Deeds, Book 2, or any other book by Susan Fleet, click on the cover.

Click her for all other Amazon and book buy links or just to say hi to Susan Fleet.

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5 Star Review – Is Winning the Lottery a Curse or a Blessing – Jackpot by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Diva by Susan Fleet plus a Free Thriller

5 Star Review – Absolution by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

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

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Natalie’s Revenge by Susan Fleet Wins Award

Posted on February 20, 2014 by fundinmental

“Natalie’s Revenge” has won the Gold/1st Place award in the 2014 Feathered Quill Book Awards Program for the Mystery category! Congratulations, Susan!

Natalie’s Revenge is Book III in the Frank Renzi series. These books stand alone.

Natalie’s Revenge is still my favorite, maybe because it was the first book of Susan Fleet’s that I read. I have become a big fan and look forward to more of her award winning murders and serial killers.

Check out my 5 Star Review:

Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie – Review

BLURB

1988: Ten-year-old Natalie is devastated when police find her call girl mother brutally beaten to death in a New Orleans hotel. Like the dragon tattoo girl, Natalie wants revenge. She vows to find the man who killed her mother and punish him. After her unhappy teen years in Texas, her hunt for the killer takes her from dancing in New York City strip clubs to working as a call girl in Paris. And back to the Big Easy, with a gun.

2008: New Orleans Police Detective Frank Renzi investigates the murder of a VIP businessman in a French Quarter hotel. Is it revenge for the 1988 murder? When the killings continue, Renzi pursues the elusive Natalie. Is she the killer? Or just another call girl?

Don’t miss the exciting showdown between Natalie (armed, dangerous and determined) and NOPD detective Frank Renzi.

This is volume 3 in the Frank Renzi mystery series, each book stands alone.