Giveaway & Reviews for Waterfall & Waterproof by Amber Garr

WaterfallTourBanner2(1)

WaterfallAdd me to Goodreads

Cover:  Emma Michaels

MY REVIEW

The premise for Waterfall and Waterproof reads like nonfiction and perhaps contains a warning. People have fought over water rights since they began claiming land as their own and the fights continue into present day. This series is a thought provoking look at a future that we could be living.

Zach and Vivienne live in a government run complex. When the facility is attacked, the big question is, will they stay or will they go.

“Why anyone thought the idiots in Washington could manage this disaster is beyond me.”

Zach’s comment has a ring of truth to it, don’t you think?

Pollution and terrorism make Vivienne’s decision for her.

Vivenne and Zach’s sexual banter had me chuckling, even though they are only “just friends”.

Does Vivienne’s desire to be a sword wielding, ass kicking ninja type come true?

As their world falls down around them and the country becomes a military state, it is the same old story, the rich survive and the poor are…well, it is not good. Who can you trust in such desperate times?

I loved Waterfall from the beginning to the end. It grabbed me early and I held on for the ride of sadness. loss, fear, terror, confusion and the struggle to survive in a world gone crazy.

The cliffhanger had me reaching for Book II, Waterproof. I think it will do the same to you.

I received Waterfall by Amber Garr in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 stars

Book & Author details:
Waterfall & Waterproof by Amber Garr
(The Water Crisis Chonicles, #1)
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult
Synopsis book 1 – Waterfall:

The water is gone. The wars have begun.

Clean water is a luxury most can no longer afford. Climate change, industrial sabotage, and greed have turned country against country as each one tries to provide for its citizens. Terrorist groups target desalinization plants and frustrated governments hunt those who work against them. Rationing, sequestering, and patrolling have become routine at a time when there are too many people and not enough resources.

While the world around them disintegrates into chaos, Zach and Vivienne hope that their life in a government-run complex will retain some semblance of normalcy. But when attacks on their water supplies bring war to their sheltered community, they must accept their new fate. Stay and fight or flee and endure—it’s a difficult decision with lasting consequences.

Will they choose what’s safe? Or will they choose to survive?

Waterproof(1)Add me to Goodreads

Cover:  Emma Michaels and Amber Garr

MY REVIEW

Waterproof kicks off with action that had me racing through the pages.

Anyone who bucked the system was considered a deserter and dealt with “appropriately.”

Pollution, population overcrowding, terrorists destroying the desalinization plants, greed, nuclear holocaust, disease, martial law, the draft – once in, never out – who will survive?

The groups dynamic changes as the characters come and go, whether by choice or death. I do wonder who will be left standing.

The horror is unbelievably grotesque. The mad scientists are on the loose.

This is one of those stories that will give you food for thought. In an apocalypse, who will survive? Is it the haves or have nots? Is it the strongest or the smartest? Is the sacrifice of the many for the survival of the few the rule of thumb? How do people twist their minds into thinking heinous acts are acceptable? Will there be any humanity left on the planet?

How far would you go to save the one you love?

Science fiction meets horror and it ain’t pretty.

The writing was so detailed I could see it, feel it, and it gave me shivers. The characters are well developed and become more complex as they grow and learn to survive and love in a new world.

I am very curious to see where this ends, to find out how many of their makeshift family will survive.

I do love a happy ever after, but we will have to wait and see. Waterproof has no cliffhanger, but it does make me eager to read the next book in the series, Watermarked.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 stars

Synopsis book 2 – Waterproof:

Dying of thirst is the new reality.

Five years after the last drop of clean water disappeared, global societies collapsed and nuclear war shattered all hope of recovery. In a place now only a skeleton of its former self, survivors fight to avoid capture by the government. Forced to work in factories that produce the only drinking water available, those who go in, never come out.

Zach and Vivienne have lived as deserters since they were teenagers. Fighting amongst their own and scrounging for the necessities of life, they’ve learned to rely on each other in every way. Yet when tragedy strikes and the true objectives of the government facility are revealed, their world is ripped apart. A fate once thought to hold their demise may be the sole answer to their survival. Who can they trust? Who can they believe?

In this life, it pays to be waterproof.

Disclaimer: Waterproof is a new adult dystopian with sex, violence, and language that may not be suitable for a younger audience.

ABOUT AMBER GARR

AmberAmber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of the bestselling novels The Syrenka Series, the award-winning Water Crisis Chronicles, The Leila Marx Novels, and the Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie. Find out more at www.ambergarr.com.
Author links:  Website Twitter  /  Facebook  /  Goodreads
.
Giveaway
.
Tour-wide giveaway
  • Kindle Fire HD (US Only)
  • Ebooks of Waterfall and Waterproof (INTL)
 Waterfall Waterproof(1)~~~~~~~~~~~~
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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Friday 56 #59 & BB #39 – Gator Bait by Adam Howe

 .

 

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

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

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

~~~

This has been a busy week that included a road trip to Biloxi, Mississippi with my mother. As the summer season comes to an end 🙁 I am “trying” to prepare for the upcoming holidays. That means blogging ahead and doing some yard cleanup so I can begin some projects. Because it is so hot here in Florida during the summer, I try to do my bigger projects in the fall and winter. I find if I wait until spring, I end up behind, because spring is so shortlived, it quickly becomes summer…And I must have my quota of sand, sun and water play.

Today, in celebration of the Halloween season, I have a real live monster to share with you. I must warn you, it is very dangerous in the swamps of Louisiana. The monsters are both animal and human, so tread lightly.

26032129

Add me to Goodreads now.

Cover:  Inkubus

MY FRIDAY 56

Croker nudged my ribs. “See, what he’ll do now is, he’ll tuck ole Johnson under the tree stump. Let him turn good and ripe before he snacks on him later.”  He chuckled at the wonder of nature. “Ain’t that something?”

(56% in Kindle)

MY BOOK BEGINNINGS

I fled the city:  Two fingers short and sworn off dames for life.

(LOL, like I’m going to believe that!)

MY REVIEW

Gator Bait by Adam Howe has such a fantastic cover, I knew I had to read this novella. I was sure it would be full of grisly horror and I was not disappointed. The creature feature was inspired by true events and that only added to my eagerness to read on.

Adam Howe spun a tale that had me laughing at the tone of the writing, all the while cringing, waiting for the bad to snap at me from the pages I read. The action began from the opening pages and took me to the bad place I knew I was going to visit.

The Grinnin’ Gator, a honky tonk in the swamps of Louisiana, can only contribute to Smitty’s, well, I would say bad luck, but he tends to bring it on himself. Of course, there is a dame, and she belongs to the “club” owner. He has a very interesting pet and a very bad reputation.

I don’t think there is a good person among the lot, so maybe they all get what they deserve.

Gator Bait starts with blood, torture and murder. It continues with the evil and twisted “fun” the characters of The Grinnin’ Gator do for entertainment. After all, it is in the isolated swamps of Louisiana during Prohibition, which is as bad or worse than the Wild West.

It ends…

OMG! The ending blew me away and I couldn’t help but laugh. I never could have seen ALL that coming and I love it. The best laid plans often go awry and boy, oh boy, do they.

This is my first adventure with Adam Howe and I can only tell you, it will not be my last!

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Prohibition-era 1930s… After an affair with the wrong man’s wife, seedy piano player Smitty Three Fingers flees the city and finds himself tinkling the ivories at a Louisiana honky-tonk owned by vicious bootlegger Horace Croker and his trophy wife, Grace. Folks come to The Grinnin’ Gator for the liquor and burlesque girls, but they keep coming back for Big George, the giant alligator Croker keeps in the pond out back. Croker is rumored to have fed ex-wives and enemies to his pet, so when Smitty and Grace embark on a torrid affair…what could possibly go wrong? Inspired by true events, Gator Bait mixes hardboiled crime (James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice) with creature horror (Tobe Hooper’s Eaten Alive) to create a riveting tale of suspense.

gator bait

What does the cover say to you?

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

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Skull and Crossbones (c) Sherry J Fundin

Giveaway, Review & Teaser for Diner Knock Out by Terri L Austin

 diner knock out large banner640

Diner Knock Out by Terri L. Austin

diner-knock-out-flat-00Diner Knock Out
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Henery Press (October 20, 2015)
Paperback: 302 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1943390090
E-Book ASIN: B012B59QM4
goodreads-badge-add-plus

 

Rose Strickland’s life is complicated. Besides her waitressing gig, she works part-time for Andre Thomas, a PI with no faith in Rose’s ability to investigate, her love life with Sullivan has stalled, and her BFF, Roxy, has found a new bestie, leaving Rose out in the cold.

Determined to prove herself, Rose takes a case on the sly. As she searches for a missing MMA fighter, Rose discovers an illegal fight club, a group of ruthless businessmen, dead bodies, and a trail of drugs.

Hunting down clues that lead too close to home, Rose finds herself in the fight of her life. Can she beat the killer to the punch before she gets knocked out for good?

Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, women sleuths, murder mystery series, whodunit mysteries (whodunnit), amateur sleuth books, book club recommendations, humorous murder mysteries.

MY REVIEW

Diner  Out is the fourth book in the Rose Strickland cozy mystery series. I love the humorous writing style and snarky dialogue that kept me entertained, “cover to cover.” This is my first book of the series, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story, though I would love to go back and find out what I missed.

Rose Strickland loves playing superhero, sometimes landing herself in some very hot water. She gave up her ritzy life, not to slum on the south side, but because she knew that was where she belonged.

Rose works for the Thomas Detective Agency, when she isn’t waitressing. Her boss, Andre is the yin to her yang, when it comes to work. She has a mind of her own, is a “bit” cocky and by going rogue, she is playing with fire.

When I first heard of her boyfriend Sullivan, the scene was so romantic and sexy. The details were left to my imagination and that worked very well for me. She’s good, him not so much. She is drawn to bad boys. The heart wants what the hearts want and she cannot deny him.

The peripheral characters have unusual names to go with their unusual personalities that make reading Diner Knock Out so much fun. Her pseudo family is unique, interesting and lovable, keeping the story lively. As her family grows, so does the fun and adventure.

Terri Austin is a master at misdirection, as I danced from one suspect to another. The suspense and mystery kept me reading, questioning and laughing while I worried and fretted over the outcome.

I received an ARC of Diner Knockout by Terri L Austin in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 stars

Books in the Rose Strickland Humorous Mystery Series:

 Terri Austin bio picABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers. Drop her a note at www.TerriLAustin.com.

Author Links:

Twitter, FB, Goodreads, TerriLAustin.com, and Henery Press.

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N

GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Tour Participants

October 19 – Jane Reads  – Review

October 20 – Babs Book Bistro – Review, Guest Post

October 21 – Musings and Ramblings – Review

October 22 – fundinmental – Review

October 23 – View from the Birdhouse – Interview

October 24 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy,  &, Sissy, Too ! – Spotlight

October 25 – A Blue Million Books – Interview

October 26 – Back Porchervations – Review

October 27 – Book Babble – Review

October 28 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

October 29 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Guest Post

October 30 – A Fold in the spine – Review, Spotlight

October 31 – Frankie Bow – Interview

November 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Looking for a pet? Take home Baad Dog by Sal Conte

Baad Dog Tour Banner
 Welcome to my tour stop and review for Baad Dog by Sal Conte.
Be sure and enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post!
Just looking at this cute and cuddly dog made me want to read the book.
I mean…how bad can it be?
 .
Deadly!
 .
.
Baad Dog by Sal Conte
Publication Date: October 16th, 2015
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Pages: 128
 .
~Summary~
 .
Since when did man’s best friend become his very own worst nightmare? 
 .
Harry wanted a dog. 
 .
He’d wanted a dog ever since his mother gave away the cute little mongrel pup he and his brother adopted when they were kids. His mom gave the dog away because Harry and Lenny didn’t take care of her as promised. 
.
Now Harry is a grown man with children of his own. He brings home Queenie, a miracle of modern robotics who looks and acts just like a real dog. Big Mistake. 
 .
“One of the beauties of the K9-233 is that they don’t eat or poop.” 
 .
Harry’s wife, Pam, feels there’s something off about Queenie right from the beginning. And then strange things begin to happen: Harry’s five-year-old says Queenie talks to him. There’s the near fatal car accident after Harry makes Queenie spend the night in the garage for being naughty. But Harry loves Queenie—maybe a little too much. Will Harry realize there’s a murderous monster living under his roof before his entire family becomes dog food? 
 .
Baad Dog is a horror, sic-fi thriller with a twist from the author of 80s pulp horror classics Child’s Play and The Power. Sal Conte has been dubbed “the modern master of the surprise ending,” and this one is full of surprises. 
 

~My Thoughts~
 .
I was excited to receive the ARC for Baad Dog by Sal Conte. It has such a cute cover, but beware, this is a horror novel, so I know it will be baad.

What I am wondering is how Harry got into the situation he is in in the opening chapter. It’s like a B movie playing in my head. He had lots of warning, why didn’t he listen and face the facts, as unbelievable as they are.

I loved the opening pages and knew this was going to be a unique and original story. It creeped me out and I smiled in anticipation.

Harry didn’t know why he walked into the store, or why he allowed the salesman to talk him into buying a dog, and a mechanical dog at that. I could sense a problem as soon as Queenie met Harry’s wife, Pam.

Kinda gives me the creeps, AI, artificial intelligence. It is food for thought. Do you believe it is possible? Do you want it to be possible?

Harry wrote TV shows and maybe he would have been better off if he would have written this one. He could have become rich. Instead, he had money troubles. As a distraction, he thought a trip to the cabin in the woods was in order. Oh yeah, this will be good.

“The nerves rippling her gut told her to turn back.”

Then do it, damn it. Don’t open the door, don’t got in there!  Oh no, she’s going to the basement. We all know that is never a good thing, but I too, saw no other option.

Queenie is like the energizer bunny, she keeps going & going…

Loved the ending. I so much want to tell you more, but you will have to read to find out for yourself. If you want to be scared at hidden noises around you, at doors opening and closing, at rustling in the bushes…this is a book for you.

I received Baad Dog by Sal Conte in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 stars

 
 
~About the Author~
 
 
Sal Conte is the horror writing alter ego of Amazon #1 Teen Horror author, E. Van Lowe. As Sal Conte, the author turns his talents to gruesome horror with stunning results. Sal Conte is the author of 80s pulp horror classics “Child’s Play” and “The Power,” as well as recent shorts “The Toothache Man” and “Because We Told Her To.
 
“Baad Dog” is Sal Conte’s first solo ebook. You can visit him athttp://evanlowe.com/sal-contes-page/
 

 

GIVEAWAY

5 ebook copies of Baad Dog
 .
Hosted by:
 

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

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!


 

A Touch of the Supernatural in The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin Review

TheCypressTrap

Do you believe in luck? Are you superstitious? Do you have a lucky rabbit’s foot?

I couldn’t resist sharing a few laughs with my fellow Supernatural lovers. For those of you not familiar with the TV show, Sam and Dean are the hunters you want to have protecting you from the monsters of the supernatural..

GUEST POST

I am so happy to have JC Gatlin dropping in for a quick chat. Welcome, JC.

Eight Life Lessons: Ideas for themes and character arcs

Several people have asked, “What is the theme of The Cypress Trap?” Several reviews have pointed out that the story is about overcoming sorrow, as all the main characters are holding onto devastating events in their past. Another critic described the theme as “not appreciating your loved ones until it’s too late.” Either way, it made me think: Does an author go into writing a story with a theme in mind? Or does the story’s theme just evolve somewhere within the undercurrent of the plot and character interactions?

I read an interesting article in Psychology Today magazine titled “Life Lessons: 5 Truths People Learn Too Late.” (October 2012) Several of these lessons inspired plot ideas for future stories, especially within the context of the article — learning the lesson too late. But the article also really got me thinking about themes in general.

When it comes to the book’s theme, especially if the author has a theme in mind when writing the book, the old adage of “show, don’t tell” becomes even more critical. Showing allows the reader to sieve the theme from the plot and analyze the author’s underlying feelings or influences. Telling turns the story into “A Very Special Episode of Blossom.”

These are seven Life Lessons I’ve come across that naturally lend themselves to themes and character arcs.

  1. You can’t fix the ones you love, so focus on fixing yourself
  2. It’s more harmful to overprotect than to under-protect
  3. Sometimes you must put your wants aside and just do what’s best for the one you love
  4. The strength of your friendships is as critical for your health as the lifestyle choices you make
  5. Lust diminishes, but love remains
  6. Truly growing up means forgiving your parents for their mistakes and accepting responsibility for your own actions
  7. Doing what’s right isn’t always easy or popular
  8. Sometimes you must find the strength to say “Yes” when saying “No” would be easier, and “No” when “Yes” is safer.

I didn’t start writing The Cypress Trap with a theme in mind. However, if I had to pick one, I think it’s about letting go. All the main characters are haunted by their pasts, and that’s like acid eating them up inside. Sorrow and regret is a trap that’s difficult to escape. In the end, I think Rayanne, the protagonist, let’s go of her past and her life and moves on.

It is a pleasure having you here, JC. Thanks for the wonderful post.

Book Cover

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin  was a wild ride through the cypress swamps of Florida. I love the location. The pacing was superb. J C had me racing through the forest, bobbing and weaving, chased by evil of the human kind. Just when I thought I could take a breath, J C Gatlin had me up and running again.

I knew from the beginning Owen was going to do something stupid, but I didn’t see it coming back to bite him like it did. Watch out for Karma, curses, whatever, because it can be a bitch.

Owen and Rayanne’s vacation turned into a nightmare. He’s not very happy and he hides his anger behind the dark sunglasses he wears. She tiptoes around him, trying not to set him off. The tragedy that they dance around is destroying them.

Why is Darryl, Owen’s best friend, there?

If you are a Supernatural TV show fan, you know about the rabbit’s foot.

Beatings, running, truck crashing, abduction, escape but nowhere to go, hurt can’t run. Rayanne doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up. She is determined to save her husband.

Terror mounts, as each time Rayanne hides, she is found again, through her own fault, making noise and giving herself away, on the run again. That was my only complaint. But it did keep the suspense and fear for her survival racing through the pages, just like she was racing through the cypress forest.

Rayanne is running through the swamp, dodging coyotes, gators, snakes, the wicked teens, Luger and, could we say, bad luck?

The suspense built during Raynne’s heart pounding run for her life, like the Energizer bunny, kept going and going. Every time I thought I could take a breath, she was discovered and on the run again.

I gave The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin a four rating, because I was frustrated at her inability to get away and her lack of procuring a weapon, when she had more than one opportunity. But, I tell myself, it had to be that way to come up with the great ending and I do love the ending. I wasn’t sure what would happen and kudos to J C Gaitlin for pulling that off.

Maybe I was just having an off day. If you are a suspense lover like me, this is one you will want to read.

I received The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

ABOUT THE CYPRESS TRAP BY J C GATLIN

When Rayanne commandeers her husband’s weekend fishing trip, she knows it’ll take work to adjust Owen’s attitude. She has no choice. Since the tragedy, they lost so much. They need to reconnect.

Without her knowledge, Owen texts his best buddy, Daryl, to join the getaway. The three of them aren’t alone in the backwoods of Georgia, though. Owen took something that didn’t belong to him. Something that changed their lives. And now the owner wants it back. By any means — including a posse led by a killer dog.

At first, Rayanne is clueless about the item and its value. One thing becomes crystal clear: If it’s not returned, they might not make it home alive.

Goodreads | AmazonYouTube Book Trailer

ABOUT J C GATLIN

JC GatlinJC Gatlin lives in Tampa, Florida. In addition to regular fishing trips, he wrote a monthly column for New Tampa Style Magazine, then began penning several mystery/suspense stories. He also maintains a blog about the art of spinning a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat mystery yarn.

Coming from a large family with five brothers, JC grew up in Grapevine — a small Texas town just outside of Dallas. He moved to Tampa in 1999, and most of his stories feature the rich landscapes of Texas and Florida as backdrop.

WebsiteAmazon Page | Goodreads 

GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)  Ends Oct. 28th

Prizing is provided by CBB Book Promotions, hosts are not responsible for prizing.

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

cbbbutton

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway & Review: The Corpse with the Diamond Hand @AceCathy

The Corpse with the Diamond Hand large banner640Welcome to my stop for the Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy ace.

Just looking at the cover made me want to book a cruise.

How about you? Have you ever been on a cruise?

CORPSE DIAMOND COVERThe Corpse with the Diamond Hand
(A Cait Morgan Mystery)

.
Series: A Cait Morgan Mystery (Book 6)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: TouchWood Editions (October 13, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1771511445

.
goodreads-badge-add-plus

 

Amazon  /  B&N

MY REVIEW

The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace had so many elements that appealed to me, I had to have it and share it. I have cruised and I have been to Hawaii and loved them both, but I never crossed a dead body before.

Cait Morgan is a professor of criminal psychology and her husband, Bud, is a retired law enforcement officer. They have recently married and are on a cruise for their honeymoon, when Tommy Trussler collapses and dies while playing cards. They both know dead bodies and this was no natural death.

Cait has an eidetic memory and it comes in very handy as they are called upon to help solve the mystery. I love that she watches Hawaiii Five O. We both have watched the old and the new. And I love that Cait “doesn’t play well with others”. Neither do I.

I am really curious about Tommy, trying to figure him out for myself before Cathy Ace does it for me.

The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace brought back so many wonderful memories of cruising and Hawaii, that I got lost in the pages. I felt like I was having a cocktail at Duke’s in the Outrigger Hotel and walking Waikiki Beach, with the sand between my toes and the salt air on my skin.

There are so many suspects and motives, so many possibilities.  The ending caught me by surprise and that doesn’t happen often enough. I loved cruising down memory lane with Cait and Bud and I would recommend The Corpse with the Diamond Hand for all you readers who want to travel into the mystery of murder on the high seas.

Food for thought:

Experience all you can, to learn, to grow. Sometimes there will be disappointments, sometimes maybe sadness but to never take a chance?

I received a copy of The Corpse with the Diamond Hand by Cathy Ace in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

2cathyAbout The Author –

Originally from Wales, now-Canadian Cathy Ace writes the Cait Morgan Mysteries. Her series has found her criminal psychologist, foodie sleuth stumbling upon Corpses with a Silver Tongue, a Golden Nose, an Emerald Thumb, Platinum Hair, Sapphire Eyes and, now, a Diamond Hand during her globetrotting. The winner of The Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery in 2015, when not helping Cait solve traditional, closed-circle mysteries, Cathy’s a keen gardener, ably assisted by her green-pawed chocolate Labradors.

Author Links:  Website  /  Facebook  /  Twitter: @AceCathy  /  Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

3 PRINT COPIES – U.S. AND CANADA

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY 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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Skull and Crossbones (c) Sherry J Fundin

Skull and Crossbones (c) Sherry J Fundin

Giveaway – Zombie Vacay – Wormfood Island by Ken La Salle

This intriguing cover of Wormfood Island by Ken La Salle wasn’t the first thing that caught my attention, it was the title.

I can’t help but smile and think… bad things are a comin’.

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK

Wormfood Island is now $0.99 for the Kindle (for a limited time)!

Add me to Goodreads now.

Front cover art:  Estevez

Cover design:  Maggie Ward

MY REVIEW

Warning: Adult Zombie Erotica. LOL

Wormfood Island by Ken La Salle is an adult horror novel. The sex is not so much erotic, but savage as it feeds on the human bodies of these not-so-happy vacationers. The writing struck me as humorous horror. If there isn’t such a thing, I’m laying claim to the genre.

A beautiful tropical island…not so much.

Flawed characters that end up in a shitload of trouble, very much so.

Kevin Miller had turned into a couch potato, just waiting for death to claim him. Until…

He has everything riding on next week…the trip.

It started with a BITE.

The character chosen to set off the chain of events that will have the others in shock or sent running and screaming to their death, was a bit of a surprise, but when I think about it…perfect.

I love flawed characters and Kevin is a doozy. I sure hope he mans up.

As the story progresses, so does the contagion.

Zombies run wild, with the uninfected unable to believe what they are seeing.

zombies photo: Fight zombies zombies-1.gifImagine, if you knew the changes you were going through, what you would become, unable to change the end result.

As an example of the humorous horror, I will share the head of securities comment while watching a woman bite off a man’s penis:

“Don’t you have any sense, you two? Can’t you see people are watching you?”

Wormfood Island is a fun and grisly adventure into Ken La Salle’s twisted mind.

There is tons of running, screaming, shock and awe, and blood and guts a plenty.

Half the time I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so I laughed. Sorry, perhaps I am a bit twisted myself. LOL

I received Wormfood Island by Ken La Salle in return for an honest and unbiased review and I can hardly wait to see what he comes up with next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Wormfood Island is the story of a family on the verge of collapse. When they win a trip to a hedonism resort out of the country, Kevin Miller hopes this is the chance they need to save their marriage. But instead, they find themselves quickly facing a quest for survival against an infestation of parasitic worms that cause the infected to gain monstrous sexual appetites…which quickly turns to an appetite for living flesh.

ABOUT KEN LA SALLE (from his website)

Ken La Salle“Novelist and Playwright, Ken La Salle grew up in Santa Ana, California and has remained in the surrounding area his entire life. He was raised with strong, blue collar roots, which have given him a progressive and environmentalist view. As a result, you’ll find many of his stories touching those areas both geographically and philosophically. He’s also very funny.”

.

Blog  /  Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook  /  G+  /  YouTube  /  Smashwords

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

GIVEAWAY

Ken La Salle is giving away two ebooks of Wormfood Island. Entry is easy peasy. Leave your email and answer the question.

What would you do…if you knew you were turning into a zombie?

Giveaway ends October 29, 2015.

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

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

.

Skull and Crossbones (c) Sherry J Fundin

Is there such a thing as a GOOD zombie? Broken Hearted Ghoul by Joyce & Jim Lavene

Just take a gander at the cover for Broken Hearted Ghoul and tell me you can resist this. I sure couldn’t!

Add me to Goodreads now.

Cover:  Emmie Ane Studios

Sky Mertz’s husband died two years ago in the same car accident that killed her. She is now a zombie, but not your average, run of the mill zombie. She would do anything for her five year old daughter. She doesn’t run around eating brains and tearing people apart, limb by limb. She could be the girl next door, with her blond hair and blue eyes.

To have another twenty years with her daughter, she traded herself to Abe as a zombie bounty hunter – she hunts down those who’s twenty years are up.

Debbie is her human partner, who works to pay off the debt she took on to bring her husband back. She is too nice. Have you ever met a person like that. All milk and cookies with sugar on top?

Lucas is like a bad penny and keeps turning up. Why is he here and so determined to stay?

Some of the bounties begged and pleaded to be let go. Sky sure does realize how important every day is, her own clock is ticking . Do YOU?

Something is not right about Abe. Is he really giving out second chances or does he have ulterior motives?

We have zombies, sorcerers, ghosts, vampires, werewolves…all the supernatural creatures you could want in a horror story.

There is some new stuff and some predictable stuff, wrapped up in a nice package. I loved the zombie twist. They don’t all have to be savages…do they?

The pacing picks up for the last quarter of the book and races to an intriguing conclusion.  I didn’t get all the answers and I did go on to read Dead Girl Blues. Sky won me over and there was no way I was going to miss out on her story.

I received Broken Hearted Ghoul by Joyce and Jim Lavene in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars

joycejimAbout The Authors

Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.

 Author Links:  Website  /  Facebook  /  Amazon  /  Twitter

I read these out of order, but you will want to start at the beginning to enjoy the full ride in the Taxi for the Dead.

My review for Dead Girl Blues

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s… Sharcano by Jose Prendes Review

Flying flaming sharks star in this funfilled apocalyptic thriller, Sharcano by Jose Prendes

I love this cover. Talk about ACTION! I see a lot of it.

sharcanoAdd me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

OMG! As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to have Sharcano by Jose Prendes, so I bought my very own copy. This has been the first book I bought this year.

I read Jose Prendes’ bio and it reads as if it is a short story and great for some laughs.

It all started with the amazing find of an 83′ megalodon beached, mauled and burnt.

I can see it all now. Coming soon to a theater near you…It’s lava sharks!

As soon as Mick Cathcart hears of it, he dumps his daughter at his exes and it’s off on the adventure of a lifetime. He thinks he is God’s gift to women, arrogant and self absorbed.

When Father MacKenzie hung himself in desolation, Father Cox stepped in, determined to change the outcome Father MacKenzie had foreseen.

Reading about Bao and his terrifying and sad, yet uplifting, trial by water was so detailed and realistic, my emotions ran AMOK, highs and lows and back again. He is such a kind hearted and loving child who is put to the test, his losses and sorrow mount. I kept thinking, please Jose, don’t leave him out there alone. His sacrifices deserve a reward.

We have Buck and Trigg, just a couple of good old boys out looking for Sasquatch. They are quite the characters and seem to pop up at just the right time. I can’t help but laugh at them, even though things don’t look so good to me, they don’t seem to understand how up a tree they are.

Volcanoes are popping up from the sea floor, spewing lava worldwide and it is alive.

I can see them, forming in the lava, jumping, flying, determined to find…US!

A plague, the Hell Virus, begins to spread. Humans are facing extinction.

The action is easy to visualize after watching all those Sharnadoes.

Funny, witty, sad, hopeful, uplifting.

The characters don’t all make it to the end, sometimes sacrificing themselves to save others. They grabbed at me, pulling me for and against them. I didn’t always like them, but they all had their contribution to make. 

There is a twist that sets it apart from the B movies I love so much…spirituality.

I was hem hawing and telling myself, yeah I know that, then WTF, then, yeah I know that, then WTF.

Jose Prendes did a great job pushing my buttons at the end of Sharcano. I loved this novel and am looking forward to the next one.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  5 Stars

ABOUT JOSE PRENDES (From Goodreads)

Jose PrendesJose Prendes, international man of mystery, was found swaddled in a basket among the reeds at the mouth of the Amazon. Raised by local shamans, Jose learned the magic of language and decided to dedicate his skills to the betterment of all mankind. He trekked to America at the age of 12, on foot no less, and made his home in Florida for a few years. After discovering a cure for the common cold, and losing it among his comic book collection, Prendes decided to abandon Florida for sunny Los Angeles.

Upon arriving in the city of angels, he was made the leader of a small group of cinephiles who believed he was the second coming of Shakespeare. Wielding immense power, and a ridiculously awesome dvd collection, Prendes continues his struggle to save the world from the coming peanut butter and jelly apocalypse.

Stalk him:  Goodreads  /  Twitter

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Northwoods Wolfman by Scott Burtness

Northwoods Wolfman by Scott Burtness

Monsters in the Midwest – Book Two

Check out this cool cover.
finalwolfcover72dpiAdd to Goodreads

Title: Northwoods Wolfman

Series: Monsters in the Midwest, Book 2

Author: Scott Burtness

Publication date: June 24th, 2015

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Comedy

Amazon

MY REVIEW

I saw the cover for Northwoods Wolfman by Scott Burtness and thought, huh, this might be interesting. I knew it would be different and I was looking for a fun and easy reading story to keep me entertained for a little while.

What happens to a tick when it feeds off a werewolf? Hmmm. A humorous and horrible thought. I mean, THINK about it.

I do want to warn you about something. If you are ever in Trappersville, WI, I would highly recommend staying away from the state park. It could be very hazardous to your health.

I did not read the first novel, but it wasn’t necessary. I didn’t feel like anything was missing, but I would like to catch up with Wisconsin Vamp.

Each character is a total individual, unique and lovable, contributing to this unique and fun read. Dallas does things believing they are right, only to figure out he could have handled things differently, saving himself a lot of anguish. Love makes strange bedfellows with Lois and Herb and the most loyal, faithful, truest friend Dallas could ever have is Stanley. He overcomes his fears for his friend.

I sure was feeling bad for the poor werewolf when the story was done.

I received a copy of Northwoods Wolfman in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  3 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Dallas is recruited by an ancient order of monster hunters, he’s more than happy to sign up. The self-proclaimed Hero of Trappersville did kill a bloodthirsty vampire, after all. As far as Dallas is concerned, monsters are monsters, and they have no place in Wisconsin.

Or do they? And does Dallas really get to choose which side he’s on?

EXCERPT

“You’re needed.”

The nasally voice cut through the whiskey fog, rousing Dallas from his stupor. Before he could put meaning to the words, turn his head and identify the speaker, the person was gone.

“Haven’t seen him b-before,” Stanley commented.

“Stanwee?” Dallas slurred. “Whend’choo get here?” Stanley had hung around with Dallas and Herb for years. Wiry, fidgety, and a terrible bowler, he had rounded out their backwoods version of the Three Musketeers, or more like Two Musketeers and That Stuttering Guy Who Claimed He Was Abducted by Aliens. Since Herb’s death, he’d been Dallas’s near-constant drinking companion.

“J-just now,” Stanley replied. “Saw you talking to that guy,” he said, pointing toward the door.

Dallas’s bleary gaze followed Stanley’s finger, and he locked eyes with a stranger across the bar. The two considered each other for a moment before the man nodded and walked outside.

With a shrug and a short belch, Dallas returned his attention to Stanley. His friend was scrutinizing a business card, a perplexed look layered on top of the usually perplexed look he wore as a matter of course, making him look especially… Dallas groped for the right word… perplexed.

“Crap on a cracker, Stanley. You looking for the cure for cancer on that thing? Give’er here and let me help you with the big words.” Swiping the card, he read out loud.

“Find us. You’re needed.”

Dallas borrowed Stanley’s perplexed look and tried it on for a moment. He’d heard that before. Recent like. A nasally voice. For some reason, the face of the man he’d just been trading looks with popped back into his mind. The voice he recalled seemed like it would fit the man’s face. Gaunt, squinty eyes, straight brown hair slicked back from a dark widow’s peak, scraggly hairs making a go at becoming a goatee. Yeah, it could’ve been that guy, but why was he talking to Dallas? What did they talk about? Why leave the card? A closer look popped the tab on a deeper mystery. Why leave a card telling him to find someone but not leave an address or a number? It was a mystery, pure and simple, and there were few things Dallas hated more than mysteries.

“Guy must have a busted furnace,” Dallas reasoned out loud, causing Stanley’s head to bob in assent. “Jackass didn’t leave a number though. How the hell am I supposed to help if he didn’t leave me a number?”

“Something’s on the b-back,” Stanley offered, a touch of drama coloring his tone. Unlike Dallas, Stanley liked mysteries. He had every season of Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, and Veronica Mars, and took great pleasure in rewatching them and solving the crimes before Angela Lansbury, Peter Falk, or Kristen Bell.

Dallas turned the card over, and sure enough, there was more.

TURN 2 2 AT 2 2 2

Dallas read the line once, then twice, trying to make it make sense. Sometimes, the right amount of alcohol allowed for just the kind of out-of-the-box thinking a riddle like this might need to solve. Sadly, this wasn’t one of those times. This time, the amount of alcohol Dallas had imbibed didn’t help him to think around corners, so to speak. It just helped him get more upset in less time. A win from an efficiency standpoint perhaps, but otherwise a complete loss.

“The hell does that mean? Well, I guess the jackass will just have to freeze.” With a grumbled curse, Dallas crumpled the card and dropped it on the bar. Slapping Stanley on the back, he stumbled toward the door and into the gathering night, the strange man and even stranger card already forgotten.

ABOUT SCOTT BURTNESS

033Scott lives in the Midwest with his wife and their boxer-pitt mix, Frank. He’s a horror, urban fantasy, and dark comedy fan, and also enjoys beer, bowling, karaoke, and rooting for the underdog. After not nearly enough consideration, he decided to write about the things he enjoys. The result was the Monsters in the Midwest series.

Facebook  /  Goodreads  /  Twitter  /  Amazon Author Page

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

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?

animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!