Giveaway – Starkiller – The Undermountain Saga by Eric Kent Edstrom

Posted on August 5, 2013 by fundinmental

Starkiller, the third and final book of The Undermountain Saga by Eric Kent Edstrom, is a dystopian, science fiction adventure involving Danny and his friends. They travel from planet to planet and learn how to overcome hardships that far surpass any expectations they could ever have imagined, as they strive to save their world.

Undermountain, Afterlife and Starkiller have some of the most awesome covers. Gorgeous and simple. I included them below, along with Goodreads book blurbs.

Starkiller (Book III of The Undermountain Saga)

Add To Goodreads

Spoiler Alert: This is the third and final book of the adventures of a group of teenagers as they learn more about life than they had ever thought possible. I tried not to give anything away

Hunameesovenama “Shaggy” wanted them to show themselves to the humans. (To see an artist’s rendering of Shaggy, go HERE)

Danny thought they should be concentrating on Gorvit. Coming out to the humans wouldn’t make a much difference if Gorvit used Starkiller to destroy the Earth’s sun.

Shaggy’s plan was to evacuate the VIP humans to the planet Hoo, where they could be bred like cattle.

But Danny had his own plan. He would have to be secretive and sly if he was to accomplish it.

Breyona awoke and Tog helped her get up. He was there to help with her plan to escape. He had to remind her that when she jumped off a wall, they had brought her back in a Breyona body, just like she wanted. But she was also Nefertiti. They were on the planet Hoo and Breyona’s plan was for Tog to help her teleport back to Earth.

Danny didn’t know who he could trust, but he would need help. He couldn’t do this alone. If they were going to escape, they needed to do it now.

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

The covers are out of this world amazing. Eric Kent Edstrom has the ability to create extravagant worlds with his vivid imagination. His excellent writing makes it easy to travel the Universe with Danny and his friends. They have traveled from planet to planet and back again. They have encountered unimaginable horrors and creatures beyond description.

I enjoyed every minute of it. I got lost as I teleported with Danny, wondering how WE were going to save Earth and humankind from destruction. Danny is my favorite character and when you read the books, you will know why. He never waivers in doing what he thinks needs to be done, no matter the risk to himself.

The characters have everything you would want – bravery, treachery, love, hate, loyalty, friendship, heroism, egotism and selflessness. Keep in mind the characters leading these extraordinary adventures are a group of normal teenagers, thrust from their world into a world so foreign, they could never in their (or my) wildest dreams come up with Eric’s world.

What do you expect aliens from another planet to look like?

How technologically advanced do you think they would be?

I received the books of the The Undermountain Saga (Undermountain, Afterlife and Starkiller) in return for honest and unbaised reviews. I was more than happy to share my thoughts and feelings of such an amazing series.

To purchase a copy of Eric Kent Edstrom’s books, simply click on the cover below:

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The Undermountain Saga

Perfect for fans of YA adventure and science fiction. A group of teens embarks on a backpacking adventure, each wanting an escape from real life, each for a different reason. For Danny it’s his mother’s domineering boyfriend; for cheerful Breyona, it’s a suppressed memory; for Shiv it’s a tragedy he keeps secret; for Wa it’s a chance to meet girls.

They have no idea that their hiking trip will take them farther from home than anyone has ever gone before!

Undermountain (Book 1 of The Undermountain Saga)

My 5 STAR Review of Undermountain

To get your copy, simply click on the cover. To add to Goodreads, go HERE.

Two teens from from different worlds . . .
Seeking refuge from their troubled home lives, sixteen year olds Danny Michaelson and Breyona Lewis join a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion.

. . . the encounter of a lifetime . . .
Six days in, Danny and Breyona come face to face with a creature of legend–an eight foot tall beast they tag as “bigfoot.” But this this is no mere animal, and it doesn’t want humans knowing its secrets.

. . . friendship, love, and loyalty . . .
Swept into the hidden city of Undermountain, Danny, Breyona and their friends find themselves in a race for survival against alien forces determined to take control of the earth.

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Afterlife (Book II of The Undermountain Saga)

My 5 STAR Review of Afterlife

To get your copy of Afterlife, simply click on the cover. To add to Goodreads, go HERE.

They think their adventures are behind them . . .

The six teens who were rescued from a mountainside in the Canadian Rockies are now famous. But only they know the true story–of what they discovered, what they survived–of Undermountain. Those secrets bind them together and pull them toward an ill-fated reunion.

. . . the war between tangoga and bigfeet still rages . . .

The tangoga boss GorVit searches for a lost technology, the terrible weapon of a vanished race. And he’ll happily use Breyona as leverage to get Danny’s help.

. . . the power of ultimate destruction hangs in the balance . . .

Thrust into the midst of war, and into the arms of a beautiful queen, Danny races on a collision course with destiny. And Breyona, still testing the limits of her amazing powers, must choose between what she desires and what is right.

One will give in.

One will give up.

One will give all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric is an author, songwriter, husband, father, and guitarist. He is the author of YA SF series The Undermountain Saga, which includes Undermountain, Afterlife, and Starkiller.Eric loves working out with kettlebells and eating pretty much anything with peanut butter.

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To Stalk Eric Kent Edstrom, follow the links below:

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

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To get your copy of Eric Kent Edstrom’s books, simply click on the cover below.

To see my Review of Shadow of the Oak, go HERE.

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Eric Kent Edstrom is offering for the Giveaway one ebook of Starkiller to one lucky commenter. International. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

What do you expect aliens from another planet to look like?

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. The winner is Taylor Dean.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow me.

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.

.
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.

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

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.

Come join me in stalking Mary Abshire

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads / LinkedIn

To get your copy from Amazon, simply click on the cover.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Obsession by Sharon Buchbinder

Posted on July 30, 2013 by fundinmental

This book far surpassed my expectations.

I have so much I want to share with you on this tour, I hope you will take the time to scroll through the entire post.

Obsession
Sharon Buchbinder

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Page Count: 288
Word Count: 71392

ISBN : 978-1-61217-867-7

Amazon

BOOK BLURB:

A year after a barbaric childbirth, complete with a near-death experience and an encounter with her guardian angel, Angie Edmonds is just happy she and her son, Jake, are alive. She’s finally in a good place: clean, sober, and employed as a defense attorney. But at the end of a long work day, she finds herself in a parent’s worst nightmare: Jake has been kidnapped and taken across the Mexican border by a cult leader who believes the child is the “Chosen One.”

Stymied by the US and Mexican legal systems, Angie is forced to ask the head of a Mexican crime syndicate for help. Much to her chagrin, she must work with Alejandro Torres, a dangerously attractive criminal and the drug lord’s right-hand man. Little does she know Alejandro is an undercover federal agent, equally terrified of blowing his cover—and falling in love with her.

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

EXCERPT

“Who are you? Who is that giant? What did you say to him?”

The pony-tailed man flashed a grin, the smile reaching his sky-blue colored eyes, giving him an appealing boyish look. “The big guy’s name is Tio. I told Tio to truss Raul up like the pig he is and to bring him to Isabel Ramirez. She’ll know exactly what to do with him.”

“Who are you?”

The movie-star-handsome man stopped, bent down until he was eye-to-eye with Angie.

“I found your passport tossed onto Raul’s desk, Angela Edmonds from the U.S. of A. I like that name. You look like an angel.”

She shook her head and the street twirled. “I’m no angel.” She steadied herself on his well muscled, naked arm. Rather than creeping her out, the skin on skin contact with her rescuer reassured her that he was a real human and not an angel conjured up in fevered religious delusion and desperation. “You sound like an American. You haven’t answered my question. What’s your name?”

“Torres.” Still holding her ID, he strode to the driver’s side of the car, hopped in and flashed a dazzling grin. “You could call me your hero because I’m taking you to see the woman who can help you find your son. My name is Alejandro Espinosa Santoyo Torres. But most people just call me Alejandro.”

Near Death Experiences (NDEs), Guardian Angels, and Romance

Thank you for having me here today. I thought you and your readers might enjoy a chat about NDEs.

When I first started writing Obsession, I wanted to accurately describe my heroine’s near death experience (NDE) during childbirth. In college, I was fascinated (some say obsessed) with NDEs. I read Raymond A. Moody, Jr’s books on the topic, as well as Kenneth Ring’s research and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

As I reached out to others in the romance community about this topic, I made the acquaintance of a wonderful woman, Julia Barrett. We corresponded and became friends. Over time, I realized my fascination with NDEs was because I had had an NDE, too. However, I had never labeled it an NDE because I didn’t see a light or an angel. In communicating with Julia, I realized that NDEs have some core characteristics in common. However, each one is different. Julia met an angel, or as she called him, a companion. I never met anyone—except the police officer who brought me back to life.

I was fifteen. I was in our basement and reached behind the clothes dryer to pull something up—and completed a short circuit. Numb, unable to speak, seizing violently, the world became a black tunnel, then a sucking vortex that swept me away. No one leading me to the light. No companions. No angelic chorus. Just blackness. And a great sense of peace. Pain-free, I was okay with wherever I was. That didn’t last long.

I came to with a police officer, for whom I was supposed to babysit that evening, pounding on my chest, giving me CPR, dragging me back to this world, my entire body shaking, a stinging burn on my arm from the electricity (I still have the scar). Worst of all, my mother was going to be really, really angry at me. I remember telling the police officer I was ready to babysit for him. I was that anxious to get away from my mother’s wrath. He kept shaking his head, in disbelief, saying, “No, you’re not. You’re going to the hospital.”

In Obsession, the heroine, Angie, struggles with believing she had a near death experience, as I did. Her intellect tells her there is no such thing as dying and coming back, no dark tunnels, no angels, and that the hormones of pregnancy and childbirth created a neurochemical stew that scrambled her brain. No plot spoilers here, however, I do have a question for readers? Do you believe in NDEs? If yes, have you had one? What occurred to convince you that it was real?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SHARON BUCHBINDER

After working in health care delivery for years, Sharon Buchbinder became an association executive, a health care researcher, and an academic in higher education. She had it all–a terrific, supportive husband, an amazing son and a wonderful job. But that itch to write (some call it an obsession) kept beckoning her to “come on back” to writing fiction. Thanks to the kindness of family, friends, critique partners, Romance Writers of America, and Maryland Romance Writers, she is now an award-winning author published in contemporary, erotic, paranormal and romantic suspense. When not attempting to make students, colleagues, and babies laugh, she can be found herding cats, waiting on a large gray dog, fishing, dining with good friends, or writing. You can find her at www.sharonbuchbinder.com

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Sharon Buchbinder’s links to keep updated on what’s happening:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

Facebook page for Obsession

The Wild Rose Press Buy Link for Print Version

My Obsession Review

Angie’s father didn’t care if she lived or died, only that the Chosen One should be born. Her labor was difficult and she thought she would die from it, or her father would butcher her to save the child.

She was ready to go with the angel, but the angel turned away and she was sucked back into her body.

Angie’s father had been imprisoned after he was arrested for kidnapping her newborn son, Jake. No one could have foreseen that he would escape from prison and kidnap her son again. This time, he moved the cult to the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, far away from any form of civilization.

She was frantic. She must get her son away from her father and the cult. She had always known that she was on her own and she was not going to let anything stand in the way of getting her child back.

The FBI could do nothing. They were so busy with the Mexican drug wars, they had no time for the kidnapping of a child.

She called in every favor she was owed. She would be working with the top drug kingpin in Mexico, who sent Alejandro Torres to meet her.

Would he be her savior or her downfall?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I thought this would be a great book just from the book blurb, but it far surpassed my expectations very early in the book. I thought a child being kidnapped, the Mexican cartel, a cult along the lines of Jimmy Jones and a sexy undercover operative – Awesome. Then she adds some other elements I didn’t see coming and WOW. It blew me away.

Her writing is excellent and the story has so many layers that it kept my mind racing as I tried to figure out what would happen. I have this insatiable need to try and figure out the ending before I get there. LOL

Good and evil. The age old story. Angie’s father believed he was Satan in human form, she was Jezebel and her child was the Messiah.. Her father wanted to raise Jake to rule the world.

I was pissed off from the getgo. A scenario such as this is why I believe in the death penalty. Some people are so evil, I believe they shouldn’t be walking the earth and breathing the air.

Some fantastic quotes:

“Tried to keep her eyes off his crotch.” “

“She pretended he had a giant python in his pants.”

“Please put on some freaking clothes and cover up that snake.”

“Womb with no view.”

“The man was without a doubt a humongous danger to anyone with a vagina.”

Priceless. Amongst all the badness a laugh emerges.

I received this book for an honest and unbiased review in conjunction with the tour.

To pick up a copy of Sharon Buchbinder’s books, or to find out more, click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Freakin Friday – Eden’s Creature: A Short Story by Gillian Turner

Posted on July 26, 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!

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

Eden’s Creature: A Short Story by Gillian Turner

I was browsing Amazon, looking for monsters, creatures and critters for a good scare. Everything about this book screamed at me, so I picked it up and here we are.

I mean, look at that gorgeous cover. And what’s that flying through the air?

Is it still free? YES! So go HERE to get your copy now. (Be sure to check for the “0”).

Eden’s Creature:

A Short Story

by Gillian Turner

Length: 28 pages (estimated)

Publication Date: May 18, 2013

Journalist Nora Blake travels to the edge of Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, to discover the mysteries surrounding the death of dozens of Maasai tribes-people. The locals claim that the crater is the original location of Eden… but perhaps not all the original occupants of Paradise have left.

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

Rachel McClellan was arrested and sentenced to a psychiatric hospital for the murder of her husband. No one would believe her story.

She kept writing to Detective Reginald Cross and won him over. He went to Hiker’s Bend to investigate. He knew he couldn’t tell what he found, because no one would believe him either.

DON’T TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!

DON’T GO IN THE CAVE! I said DON’T GO IN THE CAVE, you idiots!

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 3 STARS – Would Recommend To Others

I love the cover and the title said creatures – cool, that’s what I was looking for. I did enjoy this book. It was fun, quick and easy to read..

It reads like a B movie – glowing eyes peeking in the window, the sound of wings fluttering in the air. I knew as soon as they drove by the cave, the idiots would have to go in. LOL I love it. I love B movies and this would make a great one. I couldn’t help but laugh at certain places, because I knew what was coming. I could see it as if the film was unrolling through my mind.

The way the book was written created suspense. I knew something was coming, just not sure what.

The ending rates 5 stars. I never saw THAT coming.

I looked around and couldn’t find anything about the author. Even Amazon doesn’t have an author page. So, Gillian Turner, if you are reading this, just let me say HI and thanks for the freebie. ^_^

To get your copy, simply click on the cover.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Warning!! Turn on the lights before reading – Too Dark To Sleep by Dianne Gallagher

Posted on July 24, 2013 by fundinmental

I am so happy to share with you this awesome debut novel and a new author that I will be keeping my EYE on. We have a giveaway, review and some questions answered by the author along with an update on what is happening in her world of writing. So come on in and sit a spell. Let us entertain you. ^_^

A psychological thriller that will not leave you in the dark, because you will be turning on every light in the house to keep the terror at bay. Even the cover creeped me out. lol

Add To Goodreads

Too Dark To Sleep by Dianne Gallagher

Not only is this a story of a serial killer, but it is also a story of a woman’s descent into madness after the death of her child.

Maggie had tried to commit suicide and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she had meant business. The scars went from wrist to elbow. She entered the Darkness and could not seem to find her way back to the light.

She was approached to act as a consultant on the case she was working before she had tried to commit suicide. Two young women had been murdered, and she believed it was the same killer. Now there was a third.

She thought for some time, before she made the decision to take it on.

They teamed her up with a rookie, Nick Dublowski, who seemed to smile his way through life.

Would the case save her, or finish her off?

5 STARS – Would buy it for them (lol)

I won this book in a Giveaway on I Read A Book Once. I received the signed paperback and couldn’t help but start to read it immediately. I mean, look at the cover. And the title, so descriptive of the book. Thank you for the wonderful Giveaway.

Dianne Gallagher did an excellent job of making her psychological terror seem as if the dark were a physical being stalking Maggie. The details had chills running up and down my spine as I got up and turned on the lights. What was that flash out of the corner of my eye? I swear I keep seeing something. Goosebumps make the hair on my arms stand up as if by static electricity.

The suspense kept me engrossed in the book, unable to put it down.

I loved her description of Maggie:

“Everything about the woman should’ve read frail, but it didn’t. It was like looking at a knife blade in the sun. Cold. Hard. Sharp.”

I think the book did a great job of addressing depression, showing how it can dominate and take over a person’s life, leaving them feeling as if there is only one way out. BUT I don’t want you to think this book is only about depression.

It’s also about Maggie’s determination to make a serial killer pay for his crimes. It becomes her life’s mission, after he makes it personal. When you think it can’t get any deeper or darker, it does. It is a thriller of a highest caliber.

The ending blew me away. I would love to tell you about it, but you will have to read the book. If you like thrillers, this is one you don’t want to let pass you by.

This is Dianne Gallagher’s debut novel. If this is the beginning of her writing career, I can hardly wait to see what the future holds. Well done Dianne.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dianne has learned one big lesson. Life is never a straight line.

Starting in theatre with a BFA from the University of Minnesota, Dianne focused on performance intially, but then discovered playwriting with several of her competition-winning plays being performed at the University. A move to Los Angeles gave her the opportunity to do a little screenwriting. While working on her own spec material, she formatted, edited, critiqued scripts… and even wrote a redux of that B-movie classic, The Crawling Eye.

Now in the Chicago area, Dianne has put her energy into novels. After increased success in ghosting and editing, she started writing for herself. The result is the debut novel, Too Dark to Sleep.

FAQS ABOUT DIANNE:

When do you write?
When I have time and ideas. I’m a ruminator, so I usually have to walk around with an
idea for a while before I put anything on paper. I’m also not as disciplined as I should be.
I’m easily distracted unless I’m burning with a really good story. Of course, I could make
myself write, but I’d just end up with a lot of useless pages. When the stars align and I’m
in the groove, I can pop out 20 or more good pages at a sitting and that’s the best kind of
writing.

What kind of research do you do?
For Too Dark to Sleep, I used Practical Homicide Investigations by Vernon
Geberth, Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation by Barry Fisher and David Fisher, the
DSM-IV, some forensic psychology articles and a variety of other sources including, early
on, a Chicago police officer. I also spent a fair amount of time researching the Outfit and
their role in Chicago. Once my head is filled with the hard core stuff, I basically put it
aside and just write. Research is great, but a compelling story is better. It’s awkward to
read something that sounds like someone quoting what they learned, so much of the
research I do never makes it specifically to the page. The idea is not to read the facts, but
read the affects the facts have on the story.

Where do your ideas come from?
For Too Dark to Sleep, it all started after a conversation in which one question stuck with
me. What would you do if you lost everything? The conversation lasted hours and I’m sure
too much wine was consumed, but one question was the seed. There was this great
character floating around in my head who needed someplace to go, so I put the two
together and things just kind of fell into place.

For Indigo, my agent at the time suggested I come up with something new, so he threw
out a few suggested hot topics. Honestly, it’s really hard to write to market, but one of the
ideas led me to a twist in the approach… which led me to days of research and nothing
even remotely interesting or fun to write… but it did give me an interesting new
protagonist. There’s nothing quite so frustrating as a good character with no place
to play. Then one day I was watching this, well, silly show about psychic kids… which led
to me stumbling across Indigo children… which led to reading a ton of books and articles
on various subjects that seemed kind of connected… then, things just kind of fell into
place.

How long have you been writing?
A long time. My first “novel” was in fifth grade. My teacher, Mr. Zimmerman, was very
supportive. I might have pursued writing more had I not gotten bitten by the acting bug. I
did competitive speech and drama all through middle school and high school, majoring in
theater in college. About a year in, I realized I was a competent performer, but nothing
amazing. I decided to enter the university’s one-act play competition and won three years
in a row. Thought about getting a masters in that area. However, much to my
chagrine, Charles Nolte, who was teaching at the time at the University of Minnesota and
who loved my plays, told me I was really a novelist… not a playwright. I tried to prove him wrong for many years. When my husband decided to go to film school in California, I tried my hand at screenwriting. When we moved back to the Midwest, I switched to editing, critiquing and ghosting fiction while we raised two kids. Then after some successes in the ghosting and rewriting field, I realized it was time to stop selling my work to my clients and start writing for myself. So here I am. Even though Too Dark to Sleep is my first novel… I’ve got a lot of writing under my belt.

Who do you read?
Oddly enough, I don’t read in my genre. I’m a huge sci-fi geek. Bradbury’s Illustrated
Man got me started at a very early age. I also love William Gibson, Larry Niven, Asimov…
you know the standards. Love the Year’s Best Science Fiction anthologies. When I need a
really good laugh, Christopher Moore is a huge favorite. Honestly, when I read, I read to
get away and to relax.

WIP

I’m working on the first book of a new (and slightly less noir) mystery series. Indigo should be ready for release later this year.

Synopsis:

A sleepy Illinois suburb is rocked when one of its children doesn’t come home. And not just any child. An Indigo child. Psychologist Sid Adler is contracted to interview the Indigo children and their families. And she’s sure here’s something even more dangerous than a child abductor lurking in the quiet town.

I’ve got about a hundred pages of the next Maggie Quinn book and hope to release that some time next year.

Feel free to stalk Dianne at the links below:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / LinkedIn

To purchase Dianne Gallagher’s debut novel, simply click on the cover below.

GIVEAWAY

Dianne Gallagher is offering for the Giveaway two signed paperbacks to domestic (US) winners and two signed ebooks (mobi, epub or pdf) to international winners.

Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

What would you do if you lost everything? I chose this question because it was Dianne’s inspiration for this book, Too Dark To Sleep.

Signed paperback winners: Daphne and Kristie

Signed ebook winners: Laura and Tamara

Congratulations and a big thank you to all you wonderful commenters!

Giveaway is Closed.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Review of Diva by Susan Fleet plus a Free Thriller

Posted on July 23, 2013 by fundinmental

Susan Fleet does her research, and if you visit her Website, you will see that she keeps up with a lot of news, past and current, that deals with the depravities of the criminal world.

She also has a free thriller being offered through July 26, 2013. I posted the freebie earlier, but just in case you didn’t get your copy of Absolution, you can get it HERE. To see my 5 STAR Review, go HERE.

Now, on to Diva.

Belinda Scully, a solo flutist and soon to be famous, he thought. Today he would send her a message.

Renzi was just finishing up, when she walked into the precinct. Her escort insisted someone tried to run her over. Belinda shrugged it off, playing the Diva. Renzi knew neither of them was telling the whole truth, but before he could question them further, the phone rang. He was called away.

Belinda would repeat, over and over, “never give in to fear. Act successful and you will be successful. Believe in yourself and you cannot fail.” She behaved like a Diva to protect herself.

It was the thirteenth anniversary of her brother’s death. And it was the day before Friday the 13th. She avoided everything thirteen, but sometimes things are out of our control.

Belinda was returning home from a successful performance concert in London. She watched as the SUV followed her, keeping pace with her. Suddenly, it veered and slammed into the back of her Infiniti.

Frank had told her to call if anything happened. But what could she tell him?

Two accidents and now the letters were getting angry and threatening. Following Renzi’s suggestion, she hired a body guard.

“I know all your secrets Belinda. What would your fans think if they knew?”

5 STARS – Would Highly RecommendTo Others

Susan’s covers are always great. They show the upcoming story inside the pages, making me want to find out what depravity has been inflicted on someone now. lol

I love all the detail she packed in her book. The story is very well written and draws me in quickly, not letting go until the end. She seems to pick topics that get my blood boiling and my anger levels at their maximum. I feel disgust and hatred for the evil that her characters inflict on the innocent and always cheer when they get their comeuppance. And I am quite comfortable walking the streets her characters walk through New Orleans.

Renzi is a bit of a rebel. He believes in right and wrong and sometimes he bends the rules to do the right thing. He likes dark haired sexy women, with a sense of humor – like Jane Russell. I loved the way Jane Russell bantered with Robert Mitchum in the movies from the 50’s. Susan’s use of this example helps me to understand and get into Renzi’s relationship with Kelly. Of course, Renzi plays a trumpet and loves Jazz, it is New Orleans after all. I like that Susan includes these personal touches of her life into her books. Gives the books a feeling of authenticity.

Susan’s descriptions of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are detailed and will help you to picture what the town was like. The line between fiction and reality was definitely blurred to me.

New Orleans is not known for having the best police force to begin with. Now, with crime off the charts, the thugs in paradise dealing drugs and killing just to killl, it can be a dangerous place to live. Some of the worst atrocities were focused on women and with the shortage of police, it was an uphill battle.

It was a little over a year since Katrina and Renzi thought the thugs were winning the battle. So much devastation and trash, empty houses, squatters and crime. Much of the population did not return. How would they get back and what was there to come back to? Would they have a house, a job…..It all smacks of reality.

I have been to New Orleans many times before and after Hurricane Katrina. I pass through Mississippi on the way there. The devastation is still very visible and impossible to miss. In Florida, it is obvious as well – the loss of beach, the starkness of the dead landscape, slabs of concrete where houses used to be – it will never be the same, but change is inevitable and the allure of the gorgeous waters of the Gulf of Mexico call to me.

Like all things in Nature, the land does try to find the balance. Too bad people don’t work the same way.

Can you imagine a stalker? Knowing your every move, calling over and over, sending you letters. The creepiness of knowing they have been in your home, touching your things and who knows what else. The shadows in the corners, jumping at every noise. Looking over your shoulder everywhere you go. How deadly could or would it become? How would you get over it?

There have been enough real life stalker deaths of famous people to highlight the dangers and show us how real it can be. Imagine how bad it would be for us, the average joe, without the money and ability to hire protection.

Stalkers take a lot of time and effort to plan. Their fantasy and desire override any sense of reality and wrongness. They will kill to eliminate a competitor or threat or just to be noticed.

So, to sum it up, another fantastic book from Susan Fleet and I am definitely looking forward to more trips to New Orleans with her. And, as usual, her books create all these thoughts and feelings that I must let out, so forgive my rambling on. That’s why they have 5 STAR ratings. LOL

I picked up this book on an Amazon free day. Thank you Susan Fleet for you generosity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Music & Mayhem is my game. Started my trumpet career in my teens, got into the mayhem later. My print journalist father taught me how to play pool in the police station. Maybe that’s how I discovered my dark side.

After gigging on trumpet in the Boston area for many years (while teaching at Brown University and Berklee College of Music), I moved to New Orleans, which became the setting for my crime thrillers.

I survived Katrina, but moved back to Boston in 2010. On my website I post profiles of women musicians and just began a blog, DARK DEEDS, about serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. Please come visit!!

You can stalk Susan at the links below:

Website / Goodreads / You Tube / Amazon Author Page

To see my 5 STAR Review of Natalie’s Revenge, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Absolution, go HERE.

To purchase any of Susan Fleet’s books, simply click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

FREE – Dastardly Bastard by Edward Lorn

Posted on July 21, 2013 by fundinmental

FREE – Dastardly Bastard by Edward Lorn is free from now through July 23. Grab your copy and hike through Waverly Chasm with tour guide, Jaleel Warner. Warning – this hike could be hazardous to your health. But, hey, no risk, no reward.

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

The Dastardly Bastard of Waverly Chasm does gleefully scheme of malevolent things.
Beware, child fair, of what you find there. His lies how they hide in the shadows he wears.
‘Cross wreckage of bridge is where this man lives. Counting his spoils, his eye how it digs.
Tread, if you dare, through his one-eyed stare. This Dastardly Bastard is neither here, nor there…

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

Mark Simmons – an overweight journalist on the downside of his career.

Marsha Lake – losing her son, Lyle, because of her grief over the loss of her husband.

Donald Adams – writer, #1 on the New York times Bestseller List, 3’9″ with an attitude.

Justine McCarthy – met Trevor in a Yahoo chat room.

Jaleel Warner – their tour guide.

Waverly Chasm – two miles in length. 70 yards at the widest point. A mile deep? No one knows because no one has ever been to the bottom.

They would start at Fairchild Lookout where they could see all the route of the six hour hike. It was named after Waverly Fairchild in the 1930’s. His son, Scooter, had fallen in and never been found. Waverly left and never came back.

Justine had visions and she had seen death. Whose would it be? Hers or…….

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 3 – Would Recommend To Others

I love the cover. It is bright and colorful, intriguing, luring me into the pages. Covers are very important to me in choosing books.

The story is well written. A quick and easy read. Perfect for a scare at the beach or around the pool. Go ahead. Close your eyes and visualize HIM, The Dastardly Bastard.

A fork in the road. Which way do you want to turn? How do you handle it? Does the good outweigh the bad? To have good memories, we have to learn to live with the bad.

What would you do to change your memories? Your actions of the past? Those haunting what ifs, if onlies?

As you can tell, this book made me think of decisions. Sometimes I thought more of myself than I did the characters in the book. Is this good or bad? What do you think?

I like when a book takes me somewhere and even more so, when I don’t know where I will end up. As for Justine? You will have to read the book for yourself to find out if the choices she makes will help them to survive.

I won this signed, first edition paperback during the Hope For the Wicked giveaway from redadeptpublishing. Thanks so much to Edward Lorn and redadeptpublishing.

I look forward to reading more from Edward Lorn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edward Lorn is an American horror author presently residing in the southeast United States. He enjoys storytelling, reading, and writing biographies in the third person.

Once upon a time, during a session of show and tell, a seven-year-old Edward Lorn shared with his class that his baby brother had died over the weekend. His classmates, the teacher included, wept while he recounted the painful tragedy of having lost a sibling. Edward went home that day and found an irate mother waiting for him. Edward’s teacher had called to express her condolences. This was unfortunate, as Edward had never had a baby brother.

With advice given to her by a frustrated teacher, Edward’s mother made him start writing all of his lies down. The rest, as they say, is history.

Edward Lorn and his wife are raising two children, along with a handful of outside cats and a beagle named Dot. He remains a liar to this day. The only difference is, now he’s a useful one.

STALK EDWARD LORN

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Last FREE DAY for BLOOD IS HEAVIER by Ella Medler plus Review

Posted on July 18, 2013 by fundinmental

Today is the last free day for Blood is Heavier. To see why you want this book, read on! And, guess what. No wait for Book II, Blood is Power. It releases tomorrow. So, be sure and come back to fundinmental to find out what Nick and Tequila are up to next.

Nick was always in a hurry to get home and it was all because of Maxi. She had made his life a good one. He had never believed marriage, a child and a normal life could be so wonderful.

Then his past came back to haunt him.

Maxi called to tell him that J. B. was keeping her company until Nick got home.

Nick was a retired assassin and they wanted him to do a job for them.

The message they sent ripped his heart from his chest, crushed him.

They didn’t seem to be afraid of him, but they should have been.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I love the covers of the Hunter Series books. They are vibrant and alive. I immediately want to pick them up and read them.

My favorite genre is murders, mysteries and thrillers – Ella Medler does not let me down. I kicked back in my lounger and let her take me away with Nick. Riveting from the very beginning.

The writing was FUN. I loved the humorous, sarcastic, snappy dialogue.

I loved Spyder Tequila. She was flippant, confident and had a sassy attitude. The banter between her and Nick was wonderful. They were comfortable around each other and there was no doubt of their trust. But, can you ever really trust someone, 100%, anyone? What do you think? I want to see more of her please. ^_^

When Tequila and Nick were talking about the girl hanging back from the others and why she was so sad (people watching), it made me think of my girlfriend. We would do the same thing – try to figure out the persons job, were they married, what kind of car did they drive………

I could picture Tequila, leaning back against the counter with her ankles crossed and a wicked grin on her face as she goads Nick. It made me laugh out loud. I felt like I was there, watching them banter back and forth goodnaturedly. I could relate to her easily.

The ending was awesome. I smiled again. But you will have to read the book to find out why.

I am looking forward to Book II of The Hunter Series, which is due out tomorrow, so stay tuned to fundinmental to get your peek at another great Hunter book. Check out the cover below.

Favorite Quotes:

“As soon as one got close to people one became responsible.”

“Heavy burden, trust. Don’t you think? ” “Blood Is Heavier.”

“Careful, Daddy…..you’re going to squeeze all the love out of me.”

How sweet. I could picture it. I couldn’t help but smile with tears in my eyes.

I can’t remember how I received this book, but I believe it was a free Amazon day. Thank you Ella Medler for sharing the love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ella Medler

I live in Cornwall with my husband and our two teenage daughters who regularly threaten to never leave home (must be my cooking).

Together, we care for a large assortment of pets, some small enough to fit in a fish tank, and some capable of causing you significant injury on impact.

I was born in Transylvania but got chucked out due to my inability to grow fangs and reluctance to sleep in coffins. I studied economics to masters level, and qualified with 93.5% (damn good, considering I really wasn’t interested). I wanted to be an archaeologist, travel the world, scrape around in mud and live in squalor. Unfortunately, my mother won that argument, and so, after refusing a teaching post (I never did like school), I started work in business development consultancy roles, where I met my husband, the lucky so and so.

The rest is history. If you’re reading this, you already know the end of the story.

FUTURE WORKS

Blood is Power (Book Two in the Hunter Series)

Releasing tomorrow, so stay tuned to fundinmental for more info.

Martin Little Takes Epic Action (Book Two in the Martin Little Series)

Deal With It – Tequila’s story

IN COLLABORATION WITH KRISTIE S. HAIGWOOD

Eternal Inception

CONTACT LINKS For Ella Medler

Blog / Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

To pick up a copy of Ella Medler’s blooks, simply click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.

Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I by Carlie M A Cullen

Posted on July 17, 2013 by fundinmental

Be sure and take a gander at the Found book trailer at the end of the post. Carlie tells her story of how Heartsearch came to be.

My Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I. I will have to apologize before hand for getting so carried away and rambling on in my review about this book. If you love Vampires and haven’t read these, you will not regret picking up a copy today. I want to tell you, so much, how this book ends, but then………………

SYNOPSIS

He had waited so long for THIS human.

Joshua had visited South Weald Country Park many times. He had no idea that this time would be life changing.

As I thought of becoming Mrs. Joshua Grant, I couldn’t help but smile. Joshua met me at the airport. His kiss was very passionate. We made love that night and I awoke to find bruises all over my body. I guess he really did miss me. I managed to keep it from him, but when we made love again, I awoke in the morning feeling even more pain. It wasn’t just bruises this time. There were long, raw scratches down my arms and thighs. Before I could cover up, he came in the room. He saw what he had done and fell to his knees, crying. He ran from the house.

After Remy left for work, Joshua returned to the house. He saw the wedding lists on the table. He grabbed a pen and pad and wrote, “Dear Remy………….”

MY REVIEW

I had heard a lot about this book from my sister at fuonlyknew. She fell in love with it. Myself, I thought, oh another vampire book. I take my Vampires in small doses. Thrillers and mysteries are my favorites, with the paranormal and horror next in line. Was I in for a huge surprise. I have read thousands of books, so to surprise me is huge kudos to the author.

I was immediately drawn in and the story never let me go. It is so well written that the pages passed quickly beneath my eyes. I was in a hurry to find out how this would go.

The story is told from two different points of view, Remy’s and Joshua’s. Carlie did really well blending them together so I didn’t loose track of what was happening going back and forth.

Remy’s love was so strong that she couldn’t let him go. She went in “Search” of him. As Remy starts to dream, my hand reaches to turn the page. Oops, no page, it’s my Kindle. How would you “Search” ? Where to begin once the obvious is done? I guess that is why a show like America’s Most Wanted is such a hit. John Walsh, the host, is a prime example of how far some people will go to get an answer.

At first I really didn’t like how callous the vampires were, then I thought, that’s how they are supposed to be. Cold, self-centered, unfeeling. Carlie’s vampires seemed more realistic. Realistic? LOL. Before I knew it, I was laughing at myself. Is there such a thing as a nice vampire? I think I fell for Joshua. How could that be? Can a Vampire be a good guy?

Remy had been bubbly, outgoing, an extrovert, the life of the party type. As Carlie talks about the pain of her loss, I could feel her determination to find him.

When Remy was people watching, I smiled. I remember my girlfriend, who is no longer with us. We used to sit and watch people, trying to figure out who they were, what they did for a living, what car they drove…..I still love to people watch, but it just isn’t the same. I love a book that gets my mind working and I get more from the book than just the author’s story. Thanks Carlie for stretching my mind.

I FREAKED OUT at the ending. Caught me totally off guard. A huge surprise. I thought it was going to be one thing and it was another. I laughed out loud because I never saw it coming.

Carlie is awesome at throwing you a curve ball, so don’t think you know what is going to happen before it does. You are sure to be shocked and amazed. Her ability to tell a story about vampires that is so unique is mind blowing. I have never read a vampire book like this and I loved where she took it. I cannot even guess where she will take me next. I am so glad I have Book II so I don’t have to wait.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

Find the Carlie Cullen Heartsearch series on Amazon by clicking on the covers below.

Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I

Guest post for Heartsearch: Found, Book II

Review of Heartsearch: Found: Book II

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

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!

Giveaway and Review – Identity by Shawna Seed

Posted on July 16, 2013 by fundinmental

Shawna Seed’s debut novel, Identity is a 5 STAR hit.

A beach town, a hurricane coming, mystery and suspense – I’m all over it.

I love the cover. It makes me think of an old photo that is now losing its original color.

Brian, Sharlah’s boyfriend, had been busted for drugs. Sharlah didn’t believe it. He was one of the good guys. He had been acting strange but….

Three days later Sharlah was sitting in the back of a cop car again. She had gone to visit her friend, Missy, only to find her lying on the floor in the kitchen.

The detective asked if Brian’s and Missy’s death could be related.

At work at the diner, Sharlah searched the newspaper for anything more about Missy. The headlines were all about the low pressure cell, tropical storm Aileen. It was upgraded to a Category One hurricane.

Sharlah prepared to hunker down, because she had no intention of leave. She looked out the window and watched the trees blowing. When the bullet came through the window she thought it was something from the storm.

Photo from Wikipedia

Who should appear at the door, but Russ Zuk, the detective. He seemed to show up at just the right time. Was that a coincidence or was something else going on?

As the storm worsened, Brian told Sharlah to grab her valuables and go. She talked to Kevin in Houston. He told her to come there. She loaded up and left.

It had been four years and Brian found it hard to believe that Sharlah had just walked away, never to be seen again. It was like hurricane picked her up and took her away.

Ten years later, still no answers. But Brian could not forget. He thought of Sharlah every day.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Shawna Seed approached me and asked if I would read and review Identity. When I read the blurb she sent me, I jumped right on it. The book spoke to me before I even opened my Kindle to begin reading. I just want to take a moment and apologize to Shawna for taking so long to write the review.

Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Read it straight through. All the time I’m reading, I keep hoping I know the ending. I have come to care about the characters and want good things for them. I want to have a happy ending.

It was like a TV show – it’s this guy, no that guy, no too obvious, it’s that guy. The mystery and suspense I felt, while trying to figure out who did it, kept me on the edge of my seat. I was leaning forward and devouring the words like the M & M candies I love.

This book is full of betrayal, love, sacrifice and self centered cruelty. It has every element for a successful and amazing novel. Great story and writing. I love and hate the characters and it has a mega hit ending.

The ending? Tears in my eyes and then it was over. It took me five plus hours, but I just could not quit.

A little bit of humor: “A disease called lackanookie.”

If this is her debut novel, I can hardly wait to see what Shawna Seed comes up with next. I am constantly amazed at the quality of writing I have discovered since joining Goodreads and blogging. I have found Indie authors that never would have been published if they didn’t go through the tremendous effort of figuring it out for themselves. Kudos to these hardworking, passionate and dedicated individuals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shawna Seed is a writer and editor whose career has taken her to both coasts and several spots in between, working for organizations that include The Dallas Morning News and ESPN.com.

Originally from Kansas, she’s lived in seven states and every continental U.S. time zone. She and her husband now call Dallas home.

When she’s not writing, her interests include cooking, travel and watching college basketball. (Go Jayhawks!)

Identity is her fiction debut. Her next project, Not in Time, is a suspense novel about looted art.

Visit her website, where the goodies include her blog and a discussion guide. You can also listen to a playlist based on the record collection of Sharlah Webb, the heroine of Identity, and see Sharlah’s bookshelf.

To learn more about Shawn Seed, follow the links below.

Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Buy links for Identity:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / ibook / Smashwords

To grab your copy of Identity by Shawna Seed, simply click on the cover.

GIVEAWAY

Shawna Seed is offering for the Giveaway 3 ebooks. International. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

If a loved one of yours simply vanished into thin air, how far would you go to find the answers?

Giveaway ends July 30, 2013

Shawna Seed is now hard at work on her next suspense novel, Not In Time, which will be released later this year. As you can see, I loved her debut novel and can hardly wait to read Not In Time.

Synopsis for NOT IN TIME

It seems like a dream come true. Art historian Genevieve McKenna, who just lost her museum job, lands an assignment: Track down a drawing the Nazis stole in wartime Paris. Plus, there’s Julien Brooks, whose family owned the drawing. She’s eager to get to know him better. A lot better.

But a series of bizarre flashbacks has Genevieve doubting her sanity. Mental illness ruined her mother’s life. Is that Genevieve’s fate?

On a research trip to Paris, Genevieve and Julien confront their growing attraction and the truth about her destiny. What they learn will reveal the true story of Genevieve’s mother, the heroism of Julien’s family and the heartbreak of a doomed romance.

It may also cost them their lives.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To keep updated on the latest happenings here on fundinmental, follow by email.