Arc Review – Bad Things Do Happen to Good People – Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman

Posted on September 9, 2013 by fundinmental

Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman has an awesome cover. Even in it’s simplicity, it holds tremendous menace, but doesn’t even begin to portray the darkness that is to come. If you like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, you are going to love Beck Sherman. So, folks, grab hold tight because this is going to be a very bumpy ride.

I downloaded Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman and told myself to just check it, DO NOT READ anything. I have others I need to do first and I knew if I read even the first paragraph, I wouldn’t want to stop until it was over. I have read Revamped by Beck Sherman and her writing is so fantastic, I knew this would be just as good. Oh, heck, hope the authors waiting for my reviews will forgive me. The release is coming up and I feel I just have to read this now. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. ^_^

SYNOPSIS:

A New Adult Horror Thriller

Since the night of the accident, Cain Emmerick has felt different. Empty. What was important to him—family, friends, his job—doesn’t matter anymore. His new life revolves around that Nothing inside of him and the extraordinary highs he gets from committing random acts of violence.

Seventeen-year-old Joey Morgan is blind, but that doesn’t stop her from seeing. Something bad is about to happen. Something that could tear her world apart. For Joey, college life isn’t quite turning out like she planned, because before good grades, fitting in, and love, comes survival.

From the author of Revamp comes a delightfully gruesome roller-coaster ride of a book.

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My Review of Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman

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Things couldn’t get better for Cain, until……”Too bad. So sad.”

Uh oh. I see it coming. I think this is gonna be bad for someone.

Lacey, his five year old daughter told Cain, “Daddy you lied. The bad dream came true.”

Life flashed before Cain’s eyes, then he felt Nothing.

OMG. No way. WTF? NO! NO! I never saw that coming and it is so far past horrible that I can’t take any more. Okay, that’s it Beck. I’m gonna go mow the lawn now while I process the unimaginable evil you just made me read and prepare myself for more.

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Goodbye Nothing by Beck Sherman is a paranormal horror story that goes so far into the dark abyss of evil that I am sitting here with my jaw hanging open thinking….I can’t even think of what to say. I am stunned, speechless.

Beck Sherman’s writing is excellent and grabs me from the first page, never letting me go. I took a couple breaks in reading to absorb the story because I was so shocked and appalled at what was happening. It made be want to weep and rage, to strike out at the evil and demand that it be undone. I am always amazed at an author when they come up with something so shocking, dark and evil, that I can’t even come up with the words to describe it. I never would have went there and I don’t know how Beck Sherman got there either.

I laughed all the way through the first chapter. It starts out so happy, cute and normal – the neighbor in his short pink bathrobe and his hairy legs sticking out, going out to pick up his paper and Cain finding his car keys in the freezer. Have you ever done that? No fibbing now.

The suspense and anticipation has me sitting on the edge of my seat. I just know something bad is coming. I don’t know what. I don’t know when. But it will come, that I know.

There is graphic violence with gruesome, blood and guts horror, that left me breathless. The monster we fear can be the guy next door. That scares me more than the Vampire or Werewolf lurking in the novels I read.

Cain is not a morning person. I smiled, because neither am I, even though I am up before daylight most of the the time. I love to listen as the world comes alive around me. Just don’t talk to me or even look at me for an hour. I may bite. Then I read about blood sucking vampires and psycho murderers and serial killers. LOL I love it.

Romance. I knew there would be hiccups, but my heart broke, right along with Joey’s. That age old issue of communication rears its ugly head. When the characters, just like real people, do not communicate, things can get royally fucked up.

Beck Sherman gives a guy a Pink Panther tatoo. I love Pink Panther. She mentions Nascar, when Cain chose a 1967 black Dodge Charger for his car. I always love hearing about the cars characters drive. These added tidbits make her writing exceptional. Such details make a book go from great to awesome. I love it.

The dialogue is fantastic. I loved the bantering tone and humor. It made me go from laughing one minute, to shock and utter disgust the next.

It is these things that makes it easy to relate to the characters. They come alive because of their foibles.

Joey is going to college for photography, even though she is legally blind. She sees bright colors and shapes, plus her best friend, Ren, helps her whenever he can. Will they be more than friends?

Joey carries her camera everywhere she goes, as if it is an appendage. I can relate. I do the same thing.

Beck Sherman spends some time telling of Joey taking photographs of a bench……There is a lot more to it, but you will have to find out for yourself. I love taking photographs of benches with

Grand Canyon, Mr Wonderful (c) Sherry Fundin

or without people.

Grand Canyon (c) Sherry Fundin

Cain was a super nice guy, a great husband and father – until he RAN into Billy.

Life sucked for Billy. People only messed with him once. And right now, he wanted to make someone pay.

Hospital receptionist – nurse Nazi. Some people, you give them a little power and it goes to their head. I call them Nazi’s – like the mean nurse, the rude flight attendant………

Beck Sherman mentions the Book of Shadows and an athame. The only reason I know what she is talking about is because I love to watch the Charmed TV show. I never watched it when it was on, but now I watch the reruns in the early hours of the morn. Not a lot to choose from that I like to watch, but Charmed comes on and then Supernatural.

QUOTES

“…stamp of little feet…sounds like 1000 children….just one.” 5 years old.

“… pine cones for show and tell.” So darn cute.

Barbie head with grass in her hair. “Play nicer with Barbie, okay?”

“Suited Road Runners..Beep Beep”

“Joey enjoyed reading a good book slowly, hanging on every well written word, flipping them over in her mind, tasting each like it was a savory meal and she a starving castaway.” How beautiful is that? Me? I’m a fast reader, racing through the pages, even though I know I will hate it when the last page is read!

Here’s to the men we love. Here’s to the men who love us. If the men we love, don’t love us, fuck the men and here’s to us!”

Cheers and happy reading!

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I gotta tell you about this, oh and this. You are not going to believe this and it stays with me a long time after the reading is done. Okay, I know I didn’t tell you anything, but YOU will want to read the story to find out for yourself.

Beck Sherman leaves me clamoring for more.

I received Goodbye Nothing from Beck Sherman in return for an honest and unbiased review. I would have reviewed it anyway, after having read her excellent first book Revamp. To see my 5 STAR Review and more about Revamp, keep scrolling down.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Beck Sherman was born and raised in Massachusetts. Beck attended Syracuse University undergrad, has a master’s degree in photojournalism from the University of Westminster, London, and when not writing, enjoys exploring abandoned insane asylums and photo-documenting the things that go bump in the night, when they’re kind enough to pose.

STALKING LINKS

Website l Goodreads l Facebook

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MY 5 STAR REVIEW OF REVAMP

To get your copy, simply click on the cover below.

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FOR THREE DAYS, IT WAS DARK.

News reporters scrambled. This was the biggest story to come along in weeks.

.
They called it a blackout.

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The last one was in New York City in 2003, but this one was different, special, because the grids in six major cities across the country had been fried, kaput, see-you-next-Sunday. Everyone with some jurisdiction blamed each other, and when there was no one left to blame, terrorism rode in on its gallant steed.

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It was the media’s fault. They were so busy stuffing fanatical Muslims with a penchant for Allah and decapitations down the American citizen’s throat, that they never saw it coming. I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on them.

They were partially right.

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It was terror after all, but a whole new kind. And when the lights came back on, things had changed.

The dark had brought us visitors.

“[Revamp is] a giddy satire on all things American and yet, at the same time, a kind of homage to the traditional vampire book…the words flow delightfully in this story. In fact, I sucked up the words.” 4 out of 5 stars, Phil Semler, San Francisco Book Review

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To get your copy of Beck Sherman’s books from Amazon, 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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Tag Team Event – Giveaway and Review of The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on August 30, 2013 by fundinmental

This Tag Team Event is to enable Laura, at fuonlyknew, and I to share our love of Bette Lee Crosby’s books with all our readers and followers. Go HERE to find out what Laura has to say and another chance to win.

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The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby is only one of her amazing, award-winning books.

My Collection of Bette Lee Crosby’s books by Sherry Fundin

It took me two hours to get this shot. I went from room to room looking for a place that wouldn’t leave a glare on the photo.Then I waited until the sun moved away from the back of the house. I finally chose this shot, taken on the pew in the kitchen. Enjoy these beauties, then choose one for yourself.

“Magic happens inside our heads, people can’t see magic.”

1900’s

Abigail Anne was more than capable of helping her papa but he only had eyes for William, his son. She was the twelfth born child in a family where girls were expected to do “girl things” and get married by the time they were sixteen. But Abigail’s dreams far surpassed what her father expected from her.

After her mother, died she would remember her saying, “Someday Abigail Anne, someday, every girl with an adventurous heart will be able to follow her dreams”.

Seventy years later

Destiny entered her life. She was a giving, happy, optimistic, hard working girl, who had raised herself. Abigail thought it was wonderful to have a neighbor like Destiny and everything was better when she was around. She was always there, whenever Abigail needed a helping hand, and neither expected nor asked for anything in return.

Abigail’s nephew, Elliot, had only one thing on his mind, her money, and he would do whatever it took to get it. Abigail would never forget what he said, when she first met him. “So, ‘this’ is Abigail Anne….the twelfth child of William Lannigan….my grandmother was the ‘first’.”

When a million dollars comes up missing, Elliot is quick to blame it on Destiny. With no one to help, what would become of her?

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The book cover conveys the feeling of the 1900’s. I love the old time look of it. I find her covers are full of emotion and portray the stories that will be told between the pages.

I should know by now, whenever I read one of Bette Lee Crosby’s books, I need to have a box of tissues handy. The range of emotions her writing evokes in me go to every extreme. I feel tears in my eyes as I am writing this. The anger and disgust over the disrespect for girls and women is far outweighed by the sadness I feel. To think it is not going on today, is to deny reality. There are still plenty of male chauvinists around, in every walk of life.

Bette Lee Crosby’s characters are richly developed and read as if they are the people next door. Destiny was such a good person, it was so wrong that she was subjected to all the things she went through.But, no one every said life was fair. I felt her pain and wondered how The Twelfth Child could end up with a happy ending.

The things people do for money knows no bounds. Greed is alive and well. I can only hope the cliches are true “what goes around comes around.”

I always find myself engrossed in her books from beginning to end, unable to put them down. I read The Twelfth Child until the wee hours of the morning. The writing is excellent and swept me along. I had to know what Destiny’s destiny would be.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

It doesn’t really matter to me whether Bette Lee Crosby expects a review from me or not. Her books speak so loudly to me, that I feel I will always have to share them. She kindly gave me a signed paperback that holds a prominent place in my bookshelf, next to her other books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

To see what Bette Lee Crosby is up to, follow the links below.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

Bette Lee Crosby is offering for the Giveaway:

1 Signed Paperback of The Twelfth Child – US ONLY.

1 ebook of The Twelfth Child – International.

Easy entry as always, just leave your email address with your choice, PB or ebook and answer the question:

Do you believe in Destiny?

Giveaway ends FRIDAY, September 13, 2013.

Friday the 13th is not always a bad thing.

Go HERE to find out what Laura has to say and another chance to win.

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Bette Lee Crosby has a new release that I would love to share with you. Bette’s covers seem to convey strong emotions in me. They are so sweet and true to life. They speak to me. Do you feel the same?

SYNOPSIS

When tragedy strikes a West Virginia coal mining family, two children start out on a trek that they hope will lead them to a new life. Before a day passes, the children are separated and the boy is caught up in a robbery not of his making. If his sister can find him, she may be able to save him. The problem is she’s only seven years old, and who’s going to believe a kid?

Jubilee’s Journey is Book Two in the Wyattsville Series. This story of discovering lost family and finding love reconnects readers with Ethan Allen and the other heart-warming characters of the bestselling novel SPARE CHANGE

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If you would like to purchase a copy of Bette Lee’s books, click on the cover below.

To see my Review of What Matters Most, go HERE.

To see my Review of Spare Change, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cupid’s Christmas, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cracks In The Sidewalk, go HERE.

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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Grand Finale for Shudder, Book II of the Stitch Trilogy by Samantha Durante with Review

Posted on August 29, 2013 by fundinmental

Samantha Durante has written a unique tale of science fiction. I am honored to be a part of this fantastic tour. Congratulations Samantha and I can hardly wait for Book III.

The Highlight Tour with Prism Book Tours& Samantha’s Summer Tour

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Shudder

348 pages

Published June 15, 2013

— Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy —

It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

Also available in the iTunes store, Kobo, and wherever e-books are sold!

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MY REVIEW OF SHUDDDER

Alessa is finally learning what the Stitch is all about.

Now, she has a mission. She wants to get it done so she can go home. She has no idea if Janie is dead or alive. It had broken her heart to leave her behind.

The Mission:

1. Find the rebels base.

2. Figure out who is the enemy.

3. Avoid the creatures.

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The cover for Shudder is very pretty. I like that the covers of the trilogy are similar.

Samantha Durante’s second book of the trilogy, Shudder, is another resounding hit. It has so many things going on that, at times, I was torn about where I wanted the story to go. There is much to decipher, while she weaves her way through the hidden pitfalls.

Alessa left Pargon and her sister behind her to be with Isaac. But she could not forget about Joe, even though it was jeopardizing her relationship with Isaac. I’m thinking there must be a reason that Joe is on her mind so much. Will we see him again?

The nuclear winter caused when the bombs fell created famines. As the viral epidemic decimated the population and people became more and more desperate to survive, there was a group of men who figured out a solution. But, it is not a solution that anyone in their right mind could believe would work. I wonder if the same would happen in the real world.

The saying: “History repeats itself” is so pertinent to the events happening to Alessa.

It makes me think of the Holocaust and and the evil that spawned from the minds of some evil men who thought they had all the answers. It, also, makes me think of American politics at this time, how a few can disregard the many, for their own gains.

It is amazing to me that the egos of some people allow them to think they have all answers and, therefore, have the right to play God.

The thought of a virus wiping out the majority of the Earth’s population is something real. Just think – due to rapid means of travel, a virus could be spread world-wide before it is even recognized. I have talked to a doctor who believes that is what will be our downfall.

Would our governments step in and decide who would live and who would die? What do you think?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest and unbaised review. I was eagerly waiting for Book II of the Stich Trilogy and would have written the review regardless. Now I am waiting for Book III so I can see how Alessa’s story ends.

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GUEST POST

Painstakingly Plotted World

Review at Frodo’s Blog of Randomness (good comments here on POVs)

The plot! People, the twists and turns in this book?! Seriously, it’s amazing how Durante keeps you on your toes throughout. I kept thinking I had everything figured out and then BAM, another wrench thrown into what I thought I knew. There are conflicts of interest between characters, on opposite sides and even on their own. Dangers lurk around every corner. New abilities are just waiting to be discovered! How do you get better than that? Awesome.

Review at Wintry Words

Starting Shudder, I had little idea where the story was going to go. I had little predictions that might go somewhere, but in the end…nothing went as planned. Shudder has so ferociously shown me how quickly good things can turn bad. When things should’ve been heart-lifting, but ended up heartbreaking. There wasn’t a moment where I was privy to the whole plot. Samantha keeps you guessing throughout every page, ever chapter. Roads she could’ve led the plot down are erased and then rewritten. She puppeteers the story into a direction you wouldn’t think possible. Yet again Samantha breaks all boundaries before set.

Review at Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews & Editing

The complexity of the plot and the dynamics have you wondering what exactly Samantha has in her mind to be able to imagine this complex world. I never one time imagined that what happens in the book could actually happen but now the idea is planted firmly in my mind. It is a little freaky. While reading the book, you will do nothing but search your mind, wondering what in the world could happen next, and you would be wrong every time.

Review at Dark Obsession Chronicles

I’m having trouble wrapping my head around all the revelations, and questions Shudder contained. Yet another noodle warp. … Stitch really did set it up, but like Neo found out in the Matrix, that rabbit hole is one freaky mother. … I was surprised, confused, hopeful, frustrated, elated, and flabbergasted at times while reading Shudder. That is a sign right there. Any book that can give you some sort of emotional roller coaster (but not a traumatizing one,) is definite re-read material.

Review at Nette’s Bookshelf

I find the juxtaposition of Paragon and our society fascinatingly similar. Similar in that we are so enamored or distracted by “reality t.v” and the lives of others that we forget about what’s going on “out there” in the real world. I also find similarities with the ruling class and our government but I’m going to stop at this sentence, lest I get away from myself and begin discussing politics and world issues and other topics that have nothing to do with my review of a book. And that whole issue with the food? One word. Monsanto. Anyway, I’m getting away from myself here…What I’m trying to say is, Samantha Durante creatively and cleverly devised a story that’s based on real-life ideas and turned it into a thought provoking novel.

Interview at Passionate Book Divas

Something about the dystopian genre has always drawn me to it even since I was a little kid. I vividly remember reading The Giver back in sixth grade and I just loved how much it made me think. I guess that’s true of science fiction in general – I love trying to picture how we could get from where we are today to one of these crazy future societies.

Guest Post at Book Briefs

To me, there’s nothing creepier than a place that’s *supposed* to be filled with people, but isn’t Being alone in a big, quiet place just sets my primal instinct sirens wailing. My heart starts fluttering in anticipation of the need to run or fight, and every tiny noise rings in my ears like a cannon blast. It was this eerie feeling – of being utterly alone, but at the same time, not feeling in any way secure – that I sought to recreate in Shudder.

Review at Fuonlyknew

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Durante, Author of the Stitch Trilogy

As an avid lifelong reader of fiction of all sorts, there’s nothing I find more engrossing than an epic sci-fi/fantasy/romance series. I’ve whiled away countless weekends of my life immersed in richly-woven worlds that someone else was kind enough to put on paper… about the author

Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio. Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant. The Stitch Trilogy is her debut series.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Stitch

314 pages

Published August 1st, 2012

Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence… Goodreads

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Tour-Wide Giveaway:

5 Winners. August 24 – September 16, 2013. See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

* Signed print copy of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (USA only)

* Signed (via Authorgraph) e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder for you and two friends (Int’l)

* Signed Stitch & Shudder bookmarks + e-book copies of Stitch & Shudder (Int’l)

* $10 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)

* $5 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Highlight Tour

Sharing Top Highlights from the Summer-Long Tour!

August dates:

24 – The Reading Diaries – Review

– The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl

– Rose & Beps Blog

25 – Chapter Break – Review

– Wonderings of One Person – Review

– Mortal Moments

26 – A Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner – Review

– Kindred Dreamhart

27 – YA Book Addict – Review

– The Bookish Daydreamer

– Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf

28 – Library of a Book Witch

– Mommasez… – Review

29 – Mel’s Shelves – Review

– Fundinmental

30 – Green Mountain Couple

– Literary Meanderings

31 – Donnie Darko Girl – Review

– My Devotional Thoughts

Sept. 1 – The Book Rogue

GRAND FINALE

You can pick your Amazon copy by clicking on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Scared the crap out of me! – The Devil’s Walk by Brian Harmon

Posted on August 23, 2013 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 every Friday. Get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

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Last time I checked this book was FREE ON AMAZON.

The Devil’s Walk – A Short Story – by Brian Harmon

Carl Delsh lay in bed waiting to die.

He fell asleep and into his nightmare.

His family held vigil. Someone always there . His granddaughter was here now and he decided she was the one who would believe.

I want to tell you about my best friend, Lonnie.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I was looking for a short story – a freaky short story – for my Freakin Friday post. I swiped my finger across my Kindle and this is where it stopped. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the trees. I love my trees and these trees had an air of the macabre about them. I could feel the evil rolling off them. I just knew this would be scary good and it was.

Brian Harmon’s descriptions drew pictures in my mind. I could hear the trickling of the water and feel the breeze brush against my skin.

I went from curiosity to terror, to a warm happy feeling, then horror and fright. Then, damn, it’s over. But Brian Harmon tricked me. There is more and it is even more horrible and heartbreaking than I anticipated. Could there possibly be more? I hope not. Enough already. I don’t think I can take any more.

Excellent storywriting. This short story has all the elements for a roller coaster ride into hell.

I picked this up free from Amazon when I was browsing for a short story. I have found a fabulous new author that reminds me of Evans and Adam Light, two brothers that define the word horror.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Harmon is a writer of horror fiction, suspense and dark adventure. He grew up in Missouri and currently lives in Southern Wisconsin with his wife, Guinevere, and their two children.

Stalk Brian Harmon

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Brian Harmon has many books available. To see more, simply click on the cover below.

At the time of this posting,all these books were free.Be sure and check for the “0”.

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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Fact Or Fiction – Seeds of War by Rachel E Fisher

Posted on August 22, 2013 by fundinmental

Eden (Eden’s Root) WAS the beginning. Seeds of War is Book II of the trilogy, but I will do my best not to give away any secrets. These are books that you will want to discover for yourself.

This is a gorgeous cover and I can feel her eyes reaching into mine, saying “read me”. So, I did. I am so surprised at the response Rachel E Fisher has created in me through her books. Fi has captured my heart and it occasionally breaks for her because of all the sacrifices she has made and the circumstances that forced her to grow up so fast.

So, come on, read along with me and find out if Fi will live to find the peace and happiness she deserves.

“KD2B here, Is anyone listening?” crackled from the radio.

Two long years they have waited to hear something.

It is time for Reconnection.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them

I am loving these books and can hardly wait to get my hands on Emergence, Book III, of the trilogy. Rachel’s writing and imagination are top of the line. She has drawn me into Fi’s life and won’t let me go.

A stunning cover and the title is a great lead into the book.

So damn realistic, I am continually amazed as I read through the pages. I read this slower than usual, devouring every word. It reads more like a history book than fiction, and my mind keeps reaching, trying to figure out what I would do in a situation like that or like that. These books will stick with me for a very long time.

Current events – I do worry about growth hormones in meat and genetically modified food. If you look around, there is already a problem with non native species of plants and animals – just having the wrong thing in the wrong place can create a new ecosystem. For some things, it may already be too late. Just think about it – here in Florida, we have Kudzu, Snakes…..

What do you think would be the first order of business after the urgency of survival has passed? Surely there would be other pockets of survivors out there to reconnect to.

Rebuilding the world has begun. They started out as Seekers, looking for other survivors. Then Seeders, sharing the heirloom seeds that Eden had been protecting. In that way, others could start growing and producing a harvest, Truefood, which would then give them seeds of their own.

They also had solar radios pieced together and would show each group they approached with the seeds, how to work the radios. The Nets seemed to expand on their own and the Seeders would keep branching out. They knew there were more than just gangs topside and there is safety in numbers.

“…God did NOT make us in his image….thinking ourselves above our Maker.”

I wasn’t surprised when Rachel brought religion into the story. Truthers. Is it any surprise, really, that the religious, or those with ulterior motives would also rise to the top? Truther told the truth, someone did play God. But how much can they tell, before the people turn on them?

Rachel develops her characters in steps that makes it easy to relate to and sympathize and empathize with them, rooting for them to win the battle for survival and find love. She also introduces us to a new female protagonist, who I immediately fell in love with. I always want everything to end happy ever after, but first I need to read about the terrible, heart wrenching, dangerous road they travel.

Fi -Fast/Defense.

Sara- Ruthless/Offense.

Rachel has Asher documenting everything since the end of the world as they knew it. She made it a living book. Others would add their story to it. I love it. How cool is that? Would you have thought of that? She also has the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. When you read the book, you will know what I mean. The battle of Hearts and Minds. Truth or Lies. Corporate greed. We all know about the greed, but Rachel takes the betrayal even further.

The only monsters in this book are the human kind.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” LOL Oh Rachel. You are just too good.

Photo from Backyard Heirloom Seeds

Of course they had to learn and depend on medicinal herbs, but when Rachel tells about Fi starting her period, I cracked up. That is what I call REALISM. lol. I can’t help myself. I just keep laughing as I picture the situation. HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

Snail mail had begun. It was the Wild West all over again, except, instead of horses and wagons, mail was delivered by runners and bicycle. The cliche – History repeats itself. It would be so true. We would start with the things we know about and fumble our way through the rest.

“What if you could yank only one person with you into the forest….Who would it be?”

Now, when I look at the cover for Emergence, I REALLY get it. If you are as curious as I am to find out who she’s looking at, come back for my review of Emergence and maybe I will give you a hint or two.

I won Eden’s Root and Seeds of War by Rachel E Fisher, signed first edition paperbacks, in a giveaway on The Autumn Review. I am doing this review, because I love these books and want to share them with everyone.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel E Fisher

I am a wife and entrepreneur living and working in Florida. I am also a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where I majored in Biology. It was always my assumption that I would end up making research my life. Though it did not work out that way in the end, my passion for Biology remains intact.

I have always loved biology-based science-fiction and the young adult genre. It is in this vein that I offer my work.

www.rachelefisher.com * @edensroot * Facebook * Goodreads

In Rachel Fisher’s dystopian world, natural grown food has turned to poison or died before it can produce fruit. This idea was partly inspired by her own life and the necessity of creating vegan and gluten-free meals.

To pick up your copy from Amazon, simply click on the cover below.

To see The Emergence Launching – The Recipe Book Tour and Giveaway, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Eden’s Root and the Emergence Giveaway, go HERE.

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.

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

Beware of Rest Areas – Stranded by Alex Kava

Posted on August 17, 2013 by fundinmental

I have been a fan of Alex Kava for a long time. I recently went to a book signing. Alex Kava was discussing Stranded and Erica Spindler was telling us about Justice For Sara. Be on the lookout for my upcoming review of Justice For Sara. To see more about the book signing, go HERE.

HE did his research, taking meticulous notes of what worked best.

HE considered himself an expert on serial killers.

Ted Bundy, Edmund Kemper, Henry Lee Lucas, Jeffrey Dahmer – they all got caught by doing something stupid. Of course, HE thought he was above that. HE was, oh so much, smarter. Don’t they all think that, before they are caught?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

My favorite genre is murder, especially serial killers. I am baffled by the cruelty a person will inflict on another for their personal pleasure. I also watch all the TV shows, CSI, NCIS, The Closer, Major Crimes, Castle……..for entertainment. I love to watch the true life crime shows too. I find their problem solving skills and tenacity fascinating. Climbing into a killer’s mind takes a special person, very detail oriented and meticulous in their tracking down every lead and putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

I love Alex’s books. They are fast paced and easy to read.They are well written and heavily researched. Alex has talked about her love of doing the research. She is up to date on the latest police and FBI tools that help to apprehend criminals and find the lost.

Cadaver dogs. I remember being surprised the first time I heard they could smell decomposed bodies that were underwater. They make our sense of smell seem non-existent.

The FBI Highway Serial Killer Initiative – came about because an analyst in Oklahoma noticed a pattern when he was investigating the dumping of women’s bodies along Interstate 40, which crossed four US states. The suspects are usually long haul truckers and their victims women like Lily, the Lot Lizard, who hang around rest areas, truck stops and service stations.

I love when the book is placed in locations I am familiar with. Waffle House. Everyone knows Waffle House, home of the best breakfast in the South. You cannot live in the Pensacola area and not know about Sacred Heart Hospital. Black Water River State Park. I have swung on a tree rope, launching into the water to swim and canoe down the Blackwater River.

Alex Kava says this would be a great dumping ground for bodies. Between the weather and the critters, it wouldn’t take them long to decompose. Not like in the colder, northern climates, where a body could be dumped in the winter and not be found until the spring thaw. Ya gotta love an author that thrives on murder and has a great sense of humor.

Blackwater River by Ebyabe

Maggie – independent. FBI profiler. Living her life surrounded by dogs. Is she ready to add a lover to her life? She is a white knuckled flyer. I hate flying and turbulence makes more than my knuckles white.

Grace is a Jack Russell terrier. Alex loves the scrappy little dog. Grace has drive and is a workaholic. She loves her squishy, squeaky, pink elephant toy. Maybe it was because Alex had talked about loving Grace, that she became a huge part of the story for me. I think she will capture your heart too. The same with Creed, but I think I would have fallen for him anyway.

Creed- strong, determined, yet hurt and vulnerable. A damaged hero. A man after my own heart. How about you? He rescues dogs and trains them for use in his work, finding lost ones. He was always looking for his lost sister. Alex described Creed loving to dive into the water and feel it flowing over his body. I love the water and knew exactly what she was saying. My hubby calls me his mermaid.

Lily the Lot Lizard. Sounds like a song. Alex delved into the trucker culture. Her research surprised me, as she describes their world. Next time you are at the rest area, be sure to keep your eyes open at all times. Maybe you’ll even spot a Lot Lizard.

Alex also does a great job of describing our weather here in the South. Crashing thunder is part of our usual afternoon storms, as it rattles the windows in their frames. Florida has the most lightening strikes per year than anywhere else in the world.

Thunderstorm by Bidgee

QUOTES

Occam’s razor – the easiest explanation is often the correct one.

Asparagus – “….these look like penises.” LOL. And that’s all I’m gonna say.

Smorgasbord of travelers – his victims.

“…..legend that says when you can’t sleep its because you’re awake in someone else’s dream.”

I have read numerous books by Alex Kava, both bought and checked out of the library. I purchased this book at the book store where Alex Kava and Erica Spindler were doing a discussion and book signing. I love having a signed, first edition hardcover to add to my collection.

To get your copy of Alex Kava;s books, simply click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

Review & Guest Post-Shadow of Perception by Kristine Mason

Posted on August 13, 2013 by fundinmental

I saw the cover for Shadow of Perception (Core Trilogy, Book II_ by Kristine Mason and knew I had to participate in the tour. I was also lucky enough to get Shadow of Danger to review, another knock out cover and book you don’t want to miss. To see my 5 STAR Review, go HERE. Even though this is a trilogy, each book stands alone. But once you read one, you will want to read them all.

I have packed a lot into this post and I hope you will take the time to scroll through it all. I have included the blurb, an excerpt from the Bad Guy’s POV, a guest post from Kristine about her favorite character, my Review and a Giveaway. Plus a special little surprise at the end of the post for your musical enjoyment!

BUY LINKS

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

BLURB

What happens when negligent plastic surgeons receive a taste of their own medicine…?

Chicago investigative reporter, Eden Risk, receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD…or someone else dies. No Police. After Eden watches the DVD, a gruesome, horrifying surgery, she turns to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, for help. Only she hadn’t expected that help to come with a catch. Her former lover, Hudson Patterson, has been assigned to the case.

Hudson would rather have another CORE agent handle the investigation. Two years ago, he’d screwed things up with Eden…bad. And as more DVDs arrive, Eden and Hudson find themselves not only knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past, and the love they’d tried to deny.

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EXCERPT

Bad Guy’s POV

The alarm on his watch beeped, reminding him what he’d already known. His patient would be waking soon, and by the low moan from the other room, he would have to act fast before the bastard regained full consciousness. Sure, he’d strapped the man down, but he didn’t want to miss the look on the shithead’s face when his eyes fluttered open, only to discover he’d just woken up in hell.

As he was about to exit the office, though, shame suddenly clouded his judgment. What he’d spent seven long years preparing for went beyond immoral and had his conscience battling with his anger and need for revenge. Sweat coated his skin and trickled down his back. His heart quickened and his head grew dizzy with the onslaught of a panic attack. Until he glanced at the letter he had framed and hung on the wall. The final contact he would ever have from his beloved daughter. While he’d memorized Eliza’s words, each bold and bubbly stroke of her script, he honed in on one line in particular for encouragement.

Make them listen, Daddy.

Another moan, this time even louder, filtered into the office. His head cleared, his heart slowed to normal, and an eerie calm settled over him.

“They’ll do more than listen, baby,” he whispered, rage suddenly sweeping away any thoughts of immorality or ethics or principles. Screw those things. Screw those quacks who had destroyed his daughter’s life.

Without hesitation he left the office and entered the main section of the thirty-by-fifty steel garage. He hadn’t needed the entire space and had chosen to fulfill his plans in the west corner of the building, where the lighting was best and the bathroom and utility sink were closest. Things would become messy after all.

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Kristine Mason – My favorite character…

I love flawed characters. I’m not talking about a random scar that makes the sexy, badass hero sexier. I’m talking about the flaws that run deeper than the physical. Give me characters that have internal issues. Maybe they have a learning disability they’re hiding, or they’re struggling with anxiety, fear, trust or rejection. Or maybe a character’s arrogance and how they treat others is their flaw. Regardless, I want these characters to be motivated. I want to be able to get inside their heads and understand why they act the way they do.

I have four kids (11, 10, 7 and 2). Between my family and career, I’m extremely busy. When I have the time to sit down and read I want to be engaged by the characters. I want to fall in love with the hero, be the heroine and, if there is a bad guy, be afraid.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties. Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book will never see the light of day, something good had come from writing it. I realized my passion, and had found a career that I love.

When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.

STALKING LINKS

FACE BOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE

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MY REVIEW of Shadow of Perception by Kristine Mason

“There’s no such thing as perfect, only perception.”

“Look at me Daddy.”

He was watching as the images crawled across the screen. Eliza in her cheerleading uniform. Eliza being crowned homecoming queen. Eliza on her first modeling assignment. Eliza DEAD. The note she left said, “Make them listen, Daddy.”

Well, they will listen now he thought, as he dropped off the first DVD to Eden Risk.

Eden is an investigative reporter and he knew she would make it right.

Eden knew she needed help. She contacted CORE,a private criminal investigation agency. Ian and Hudson were watching the DVD.The horror that was taking place was too obscene to comprehend. The violence and mutilation the victim suffered was one of the worst they had seen. When the torture stopped, the doctor looked into the camera.

“Eden, take care of yourself….While I’ve been watching you, someone else has been, too.”

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

The covers and tag lines for The Core Trilogy are so intriguing, I was hooked as soon as I laid eyes on them. I didn’t need anything else to make me want to pick up the books and read them as soon as I could get my hands on them.

After reading Shadow of Danger, the first book in the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy, my expectations are high. There are multiple storylines and Kristine kept the suspense at a very high level.

The violence and torture is very graphic. I was amazed at Kristine’s ability to describe the brutality so vividly. Maybe she should be a profiler. She sure got into the mind of this serial killer.

Eden – a confident and ambitious investigative reporter for , with dark secrets. She had a need to control everything in her life. Obsessive-Compulsive. Stubborn. Sexy. Her pets, Fabio the cat and Brutal the rat dog, are unique and show that under her hard exterior there is a heart.

Hudson – a Marine and a CIA operative, doing Black Ops work. Looked like a kickass biker dude. An air of danger surrounds him. Hmmm, I like that. He could be a GB- Golden Boy- or a DB – Douche Bag.

I am a dog lover and find it adds another element to the story. It makes the characters seem more human and easier to relate to. Kristine did a fantastic job of integrating the animals into the story and giving me some chuckles.

The relationships between the characters smack of reality. They fail to communicate, which causes all sorts of problems and I think we can all relate to that.

QUOTES

“……a front for some eighties big hair band.” “..that explains all those hot groupies folowing me around and throwing their g-strings at me.

“I’ve only seen cats that size at the zoo or in the jungle. What the hell is it? Besides big and ugly.”

“Don’t talk like that, putting her hand over the cats ears.” “He’s sensitive.”

“So sorry if I hurt your widdle feewings.” Then she flipped him the bird.

“Hell is exactly where you are…….Welcome.”

“Slow down, Speed Racer.” I laughed out loud. I remember watching the show all the time.

“..what’s wrong?” “I’ve never owned a week whacker.” “What would you weed whack anyway? The dead plants in your apartment?”

“God this is something out of Hellraiser.”

I love it when an author can integrate humor into such a dark and violent story.

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Shadow of Vengeance, Book III of the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy is coming soon.

You will have to read the book to find out why I included The Pina Colada Song.

To pick up Kristine Mason’s books from Amazon, simply click on the cover.

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.

Review/Guest Post – Shadow of Danger by Kristine Mason

Posted on August 13, 2013 by fundinmental

I saw the cover and stopped dead. Awesome. Tells me some bad stuff is coming. The blurb just reeled me in because I was already hooked. I was off and running from the very first page.

Even though this is a trilogy, each book can stand alone. But once you read one, you will want to read them all. Be sure and stop by tomorrow for my Review of Shadow of Perception, a guest post on Kristine’s favorite character and an awesome tour-wide Giveaway.

Recommended for Adults – violence, strong language and explicit sex scenes.

She awoke, fighting for her life and tears running down her face. She knew the woman was dead. This was not the first time she had felt the evil perpetrated on another as if it were happening to her. It wouldn’t be the last either.

Four nights and four nightmares. Would it ever end?

Roy had four dead women on his hands and needed help. He put in a call to Ian, the head of CORE. Ian knew John Cain was the man for the job and sent him to Wissota Falls.

Celeste had come home to Wissota Falls to take care of her mother, who was dying of cancer, and never left. Wissota Falls is a small town, where everyone knows everyone’s business. Could a serial killer be walking among them?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

My two favorite things – murder and paranormal – and Kristine blended them into an excellent story. This is a long book and I knew I couldn’t read it in one sitting, but I really wanted to. Hmmm. How much longer can I read before I have to get up and clean the kitchen so my hubby doesn’t know I read all day. LOL

Are there two killers? The suspense of finding out who the killer is kept building. I figured it was between three people………Could it be him, yes. Or him, yes. Or him, yes. I know it has to be one of them, I just can’t figure out which one. I love not knowing and it was really hard to keep from skimming over parts to find the answer.

Celeste – she always put herself last. She was the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back. She had a gift, a paranormal gift that some might say was a curse.

John Cain – criminalist and former FBI agent, now working for CORE. John has a lot of personal baggage. I love a tarnished knight. It adds that little extra story line as they find their way out of the mess they are in.

CORE – Criminal Observance Resolution and Evidence. Ian Scott was the creator of the private agency formed to take down the bad guys.

Sherriff Roy Hauserman was like a father to Celeste. He had a healthy respect for her psychic gift. She knew she could always count on him. “Paul Bunyan without the ax and blue ox.”

I loved when Celeste first met John in the diner – such sizzling hot thoughts. As a rule, I don’t care much for sexually explicit books, but this book was so good it didn’t matter to me and only seemed to add to the story.

When Celeste talks about why she started collecting Gnomes, I laughed out loud.

I love Kristine’s ability to add humor to such a heavy and horrendous story. I know I keep saying I loved this and I loved that, but I did. I am so glad that I decided to participate in the tour for Shadow of Perception, Book II. Otherwise, I would have missed finding another fantastic author. Come back tomorrow for my review of Shadow of Perception and a guest post from the author, along with a Giveaway you don’t want to miss.

I received this book as part of a tour for the second book, Shadow of Perception. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Quotes

“If you loose any more weight, you’ll be nothing but walking boobs.”

John “Please don’t pout.”

Celeste “I’m not pouting……..Did you feel anything when you touched me at the diner?”

“…when you find that woman, no matter the odds, the end result is well worth it.” “What’s that?” “A woman you’d die for, or die without. Take your pick.”

“….thinking of puppies, babies and a frickin’ white picket fence.”

Celeste “Why are you doing this?”

HIM “Because I can.”

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

I am participating in the tour for Shadow of Perception by Kristine Mason tomorrow, and she has given me two guest posts to choose from for the tour. SO, lucky you are going to get an insight into why Kristine writes in today’s post.

How I began writing…

I began writing twelve years ago after I quit my job to stay home with my newborn. While I was happy to be at home with my son, I have to admit that boredom set it rather quickly. To fill the time, I read a ton of books. And I’m not exaggerating. I would take a big bag to the library and toss in dozens of books, then read them all within a month. I’d become a serious romance junkie. At the time, I didn’t know which authors wrote what, so I had a hard time finding a certain type of book. I was looking for sexy, edgy, gritty suspense. After a while, I decided that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for, then I’d write it. That first book was something I would work on to kill the time. I wrote when I was in the mood and sometimes would go months without even looking at it. That book took me five years to write. Five years! What’s sad is no one will ever see it. But that’s okay. I had accomplished what many people place on their bucket list. I wrote a book.

Seven years ago, after the birth of my third son, I joined a local Romance Writers of America chapter. I attended my first conference, met published authors, editors and agents. That’s when I was bitten by the writing bug. Instead of looking at writing as a hobby, I began looking at it as my unpaid career. I wrote like crazy, found an awesome critique partner and really began learning the craft of writing. The book that took five years to write…I’ve written ten more since then. Again, not all will see the light of day, but those books helped me grow as a writer.

I truly love creating stories and characters. Writing has become my passion and I’m enjoying the ride!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.

STALKING LINKS

FACE BOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE

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To pick up Kristine Mason’s books from Amazon, simply click on the cover.

Shadow of Vengeance, Book III of the CORE “Shadow” Trilogy is coming soon.

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.

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

Heartsearch: Found: Book II by Carlie M A Cullen

Posted on August 8, 2013 by fundinmental

This is Book II, Heartsearch: Found by Carlie M A Cullen. I have so many things I want to tell you, but I am going to try my best to keep this spoiler free for those who haven’t read Heartsearch: Lost, Book I.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I, go HERE. The ending for Heartsearch: Lost was awesome! I could rant and rave more, but I would really like you to pick up the books and enjoy the read without me ruining it for you.

If you love Vampires, this is a must read trilogy. Carlie’s take on Vampires is unique and original. I didn’t think anyone could come up with a new twist, but Carlie did it and did it extremely well.

Jakki was psychic and worried. Something wasn’t right.

She read the tarot cards.

A man with green eyes.

Children’s hands colored red.

Objects floating in the air.

Remy distraught.

Death.

MY REVIEW

First off, let me say, that raving about this series makes me laugh. I love thrillers, suspense and mystery, with a little paranormal on the side. I have only started reading Vampire books since I started blogging, which was a little over a year ago. My sister, Laura, over at fuonlyknew, got me in to all this and for that I THANK YOU, Laura. I had no idea what I was missing.

Book II, Heartsearch: Found picks up the action from the very first page.

I fell in love and hate with the characters, regardless of them being ruthless, blood thirty killers.

I hate Samir – egotistical and selfish – everything you think a Vampire would be.

I love/dislike Joshua – almost human in his feelings for Remy.

Remy – what can I say? I love her. Strong female protagonists are my favorite characters. I like to think I would deal with things the way she does, but no one ever really knows what they will do until the time comes to do it.

The suspense and anticipation drove me to read faster, resisting the urge to skip ahead.

Carlie’s writing is nothing less than amazing. I am having difficulty in describing how amazing this story is. I am going to have to start studying my Thesaurus to expand my word selection. I have never read a Vampire novel like this. Carlie’s description of the horrific and excruciating pain one endures when changing into a Vampire was fantastic.

Sometimes I forget the characters are Vampires. Evil, gross, disgusting, selfish, giving, loving, passionate, sexy…….

I want it to end – happy ever after – but they’re Vampires. Is that even possible?

I love how Carlie’s mind thinks. She is a superb storyteller.

Sometimes the second book in the series is not as good. All I can say is, the story keeps getting better.

Oh no, I didn’t see it coming. The book ran out of pages. I DEMAND Heartsearch: Betrayal, Book III.

I want it and I want it now!

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review for Heartsearch: Found. Thank you Carlie for the opportunity to participate in the release tour for Heartsearch: Found, Book II. I look forward to working with you again, when Heartsearch: Betrayal, Book III comes out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlie M A Cullen

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing. She has been an administrator and marketer all her working life and was also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing until recently.

She has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This was launched 8^th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and book two, Heart Search: Found, is due out early July 2013. She writes mainly in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for YA, New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a professional editor.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. Their first anthology, The Other Way Is Essex, was published September 2012 under Myrddin Publishing Group. Their second anthology is in editing.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

For stalking purposes, find Carlie M. A. Cullen at the links below:

Website / Twitter: @carlie2011c / Facebook / Linkedin / Amazon / About.me

Wattpad / Goodreads

To get your copy or learn more about Carlie Cullen, check out my reviews and the book links below.

Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I

Guest post for Heartsearch: Found, Book II

Review of Heartsearch: Found: Book II

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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.

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

Thanks for stopping by fundinmental!

Project Eve by Mary Abshire

Posted on August 2, 2013 by fundinmental

The Awakening,Project Eve,Book I

A Lyrical Press Urban Fantasy

ISBN: 9781616503475

Length: 74,000 words

Ebook Page Count: 204 / Publication Date: January 23, 2012

WARNING: Language, violence, and graphic sex.

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MY 5 STAR REVIEW

One thought she was a treasure, One thought she was an abomination.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Kobo / iTunes

My first thought when the cute man woke me was good, I have my clothes on. But where am I? When he asked my name, I couldn’t remember.

Boss suggested I go with them to talk, my instinct said I could trust them. We walked through the dead bodies – burned, torn limb from limb, missing heads. Boss told Jonas to burn them all. But what about notifying their families of their death? He told me they already knew, but I didn’t understand what he meant. When Jonas asked when I had last fed, I looked at him in surprise.

“You’re not going to stand there and tell me you don’t know you’re a vampire,” he said.

We were in Indianapolis. As we drove around, I felt a familiarity with my surroundings but couldn’t remember anything specific. I was in the back seat of the car and could hear them talking, but their lips weren’t moving. I could hear their thoughts. When I said I couldn’t kill people, Jonas laughed. I could hear Jonas asking Boss what would happen if I couldn’t remember.

All of a sudden I felt a sharp pain rip through my skill and my ears rang. Boss was doing it, trying to read my mind. He found nothing there, no memories. The pain lessened as he backed off, finally believing me. There should be something there, some memory he could find, even if I couldn’t, but there wasn’t. It was possible for a vampire to erase some memory, but not all. Demons can alter memories and reality, but not wipe out memories.

Boss admitted to being a vampire. I asked about Jonas, but Boss cut him off before he could answer. He held my hand to his chest, no heartbeat. But I had one. He told me I was a half-breed. So I was only half dead. That was why I needed warm blood and human food. Boss could think of no one, or no reason for someone to wipe my memories. Whoever did do it, couldn’t be human. As Jonas and Boss talked, they mentioned other breeds, werewolves, demons, fae, shifters, warlocks…..

When I held my stomach while it was cramping, I felt a bulge in my skirt. I reached in my pocket and found two pieces of paper. Before I could see what they were, Boss grabbed them out of my hand. They were my clues. As we fought over them, they blew out the window. We chased them in the wind and finally caught them. One was a receipt to a bookstore. Still no memory.

The other paper was a pawn shop receipt. But if I hocked something, where was the money and what did I pawn? Boss kept my papers. He also found my knife when we got back in the car. It had fallen out of my boot. The handle was made from gold and had two initials, S and B, and was poisoned. Boss told me, if it belonged to me, the poison wouldn’t affect me.

Boss and Jonas worked for the Worldwide Organization of Peace and Protection. His job was to monitor the clans and make sure no one species dominated. We agreed to work together to find out who I was and who killed all those people, those creatures. I knew I wasn’t a killer. I didn’t drink blood and I didn’t have fangs. We figured someone had been looking for me and would do whatever they had to do to get me back. How did they lose me?

We went to the pawn shop, but it seemed to present more questions than answers. I had pawned a demon watch. It tells time in Hell and on earth. It could open a portal between the two worlds.

When the question came up, was I part vampire and part demon, Boss said that it was not possible. He said Tabby may be able to help. She was a Shape-shifter and was living with him and Jonas.

It was decided I needed to test my skills and Tabby would be the perfect sparring partner. When I shifted to mist, I had the not so bright idea to tease Boss. He not only attacked me, he called me an abomination and told me to get out. He thought I was a freak, thought me dangerous. Jonas saw me as a treasure, one of a kind. If Boss made me go, Tabby and Jonas said they would go with me.

Tabby suggested we go shopping and do girl things. We were having a good time, until I noticed the same guy appeared wherever we went. Tabby couldn’t see him, so I told Jonas about him over the phone. He wanted us home, now. Tabby went off to finish the shopping and I waited near the entrance.

Benny chose that moment to introduce himself. He knew I was a half-breed. He was an angel. He told me I needed to remember soon, Tabby’s life was in danger. Now I was human, vampire, demon and angel.

We went to the book store listed on the receipt. While there I had a flash of memory. I had been writing in a journal and there was a strong smell of coffee. Boss picked another memory. I had been writing in a journal and was going to mail it. That was four days ago. It should have arrived. What would the journal contain? Would it help answer all our questions?

While we were surfing the internet, a hacker began hunting for our IP address. Boss had us grabbing computers and weapons. Tabby was throwing bags of clothes and stacks of cash. Boss and I jumped in the SUV, Jonas and Tabby followed behind us. Gargumen were hunting us, so we split up, agreeing to meet up later.

What was up with Senator Galuzzi, presidential candidate, and Allison? Why did our internet search of them trigger such a hunt? On top of all that, Benny had told me I needed to remember, that Tabby was in danger and I could save her. From what?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

It caught my interest from the beginning. Amnesia. But as the story progressed, I found myself reading faster and faster. The book was full of mystery and suspense.

The plot was going in several directions, but they do come together.

At times I forgot the characters weren’t human. I fell in love with Jonas and Tabby was wonderful. They didn’t even know Stephanie, but would leave everything to protect her, to help her.

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Stephanie wanted to know all the answers. She felt human and had no desire to do anyone any harm, until they threatened her new-found friends. She would do whatever it took to protect them all, even Boss.

Stephanie couldn’t always understand why Boss could be so cold and demanding. Guess she kept forgetting that he was a vampire. Isn’t that how they are? Yet, he took care of and protected Jonas and Tabby.

Then, boom it was over. I read the last page. Oh no, now what? I didn’t want it to end. I am really curious to see where this story will go. Book II: Quest came out October 8, 2012.

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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The Quest, Project Eve, Book II

Lyrical Press Website

ISBN: 9781616504137

Length: 100,000 words

ePub pages: 267

Amazon / Barnes and Nobles iTunes

My 5 STAR Review

Retribution. At any cost.

Now that she knows her name and what she is, she wants justice for everything she’s lost. Though her memories elude her, she takes a job for a half-demon Senator and, aided by werewolves from a local clan, intends to uncover evidence that will convict the Senator of more than thirty murders.

Getting to the Senator and finding the necessary evidence is more difficult than she anticipates, especially when there is a bounty for her death. If that were not enough, the vampire who stole her memories returns and reveals unexpected truths. But she’s not going to let anything stop her. Not a sadistic assassin or a servant or Lucifer. Not even her ex-lover, the vampire God of the Underworld. Nothing will stop her from claiming retribution…even if the price is her life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary lives in Indiana and is a lifetime lover of the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy. When she’s not slaving away at her government job, she is a Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author. She creates fantastical worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. Dive into her books and find action, a dash of mystery, and seductive men with passionate hearts.

The Project Eve series is an urban fantasy series with the first book, The Awakening, and the second, The Quest.