Tag Team Event – Giveaway and Review of The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on August 30, 2013 by fundinmental

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

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

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

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

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

1900’s

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

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

Seventy years later

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

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

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

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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

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

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

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

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

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

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

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

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

Bette Lee Crosby is offering for the Giveaway:

1 Signed Paperback of The Twelfth Child – US ONLY.

1 ebook of The Twelfth Child – International.

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

Do you believe in Destiny?

Giveaway ends FRIDAY, September 13, 2013.

Friday the 13th is not always a bad thing.

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

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

SYNOPSIS

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

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

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

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

To see my Review of Spare Change, go HERE.

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

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Posted on August 29, 2013 by fundinmental

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

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

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

Shudder

348 pages

Published June 15, 2013

— Book 2 in the Stitch Trilogy —

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

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

And then there are the visions.

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

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

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

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MY REVIEW OF SHUDDDER

Alessa is finally learning what the Stitch is all about.

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

The Mission:

1. Find the rebels base.

2. Figure out who is the enemy.

3. Avoid the creatures.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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

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GUEST POST

Painstakingly Plotted World

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

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

Review at Wintry Words

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

Review at Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews & Editing

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

Review at Dark Obsession Chronicles

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

Review at Nette’s Bookshelf

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

Interview at Passionate Book Divas

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

Guest Post at Book Briefs

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

Review at Fuonlyknew

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Durante, Author of the Stitch Trilogy

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

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

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Stitch

314 pages

Published August 1st, 2012

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

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

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Tour-Wide Giveaway:

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

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

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

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

* $10 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)

* $5 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Highlight Tour

Sharing Top Highlights from the Summer-Long Tour!

August dates:

24 – The Reading Diaries – Review

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

– Rose & Beps Blog

25 – Chapter Break – Review

– Wonderings of One Person – Review

– Mortal Moments

26 – A Tiffyfit’s Reading Corner – Review

– Kindred Dreamhart

27 – YA Book Addict – Review

– The Bookish Daydreamer

– Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf

28 – Library of a Book Witch

– Mommasez… – Review

29 – Mel’s Shelves – Review

– Fundinmental

30 – Green Mountain Couple

– Literary Meanderings

31 – Donnie Darko Girl – Review

– My Devotional Thoughts

Sept. 1 – The Book Rogue

GRAND FINALE

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Giveaway Tour of Pelican Bay By Jesse Giles Christiansen

Posted on August 27, 2013 by fundinmental

The cover is awesome. I love everything about it. The Captain’s old eyes make me wonder what he is thinking. The font tells me there is much more than a mystery coming at me. The lightening means there is a storm coming and I wonder who will be left standing when it is over. The colors help lend an aura of menace to the overall fantastic package.

BE SURE and watch the trailer. If my description of the cover didn’t help draw you in and make you want to read the book, the creepy trailer will.

Book Details:
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Published by: Imajin Books
Release Date: (July 20, 2013)
Number of Pages: ~300

SYNOPSIS

Some things are better left alone…

After Ethan Hodges discovers an undersea cemetery just off the beach of Pelican Bay, South Carolina, he seeks answers from a grandfatherly fisherman named Captain Shelby. The captain wants the past to remain buried, and he warns Ethan to stay away. But Ethan doesn’t listen.

Ethan’s best friend and secret love interest, Morgan Olinsworth, joins in the investigation, unearthing intriguing secrets about the mysterious fisherman. When Captain Shelby is suspected of murder and disappears, a manhunt ensues, revealing a truth that unnerves everyone in Pelican Bay.

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MY REVIEW

Ethan was intrigued by the stones jutting above the water. He had to see them for himself.

It was an underwater graveyard.

Ethan talked his friend, Morgan into diving with him to see if they could find any names on the stones.

Morgan was a librarian, so when they found a name, she began to investigate.

Their search took them in an unexpected and dangerous direction.

Did Captain Shelby have all the answers?

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I saw the beautiful and intriguing cover and the title and knew I would have to be a part of the tour. I love legends of the sea.

Pelican Bay is a ghost story that has a gothic feel to it. The writing made me think of the term “waxing poetic”. At first it annoyed me and I thought, do I even want to read this? But I read on and am glad I did. The book subtly sneaks up on me and the need to know the answers grasps me and won’t let me go. It went from – I don’t think I can get past the first chapter to – hey, this isn’t so bad to – I can’t put it down until I know…

As I got into Ethan’s story, I could visualize the grizzled, old sea Captain and the water that was the lifeblood of Pelican Bay.

“In Pelican Bay, the sea was the Hand of God.”

It is also a love story. Ethan Hodges has been in love with Morgan as long as he can remember, but she won’t even discuss their relationship. She won’t even look him in the eye. It seemed pretty pathetic to me.

The characters are unique and my feelings about them bounced back and forth, like a tennis ball, throughout the book.

Instead of a grown man, Ethan seemed like a love struck teenager. I really didn’t like him pining for Morgan’s unrequited love, following her around like a puppy dog begging for a pat on the head. Even the characters tell him to man up. LOL But, I did love his adventurous spirit.

And Morgan? I thought she was a nutcase. But, yes, another but, she does get caught up in Ethan’s desire to find out about the Captain and the graveyard.

Now, the old sea Captain, Shelby, I loved him. I knew there was more to him than meets the eye. Maybe that is what intrigued me about him. Was he just an old sea captain? Was he even a man? Was he a god?

Nereus – Greek god know as “the old man of the sea.”

Jesse’s vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was there. I could smell the water and feel the salt spray misting on my skin. I could feel the sand shifting under me as I sat on the beach, watching the waves. I have always loved doing that. I find it very soothing and I lose track of time, as wave after wave rolls in. I love listening to the sound of the waves pounding on the seashore, watching the water recede back to where it came from.

I love body surfing, with or without a board, rushing through the water on the top of the wave. Turning around and paddling back out to do it again and again.

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

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review for Great Escapes Book Tours. Thank you Jesse and Great Escapes for the opportunity to read and review the book. I look forward to reading more of Jesse Giles Christiansen’s work.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jesse Giles Christiansen is an American author who writes compelling literary fiction that weaves the real with the surreal. He attended Florida State University where he received his B.A. in English literature. His newest novel, “Pelican Bay,” focuses on a very old fisherman, Captain Shelby, and the mysterious happenings linked to him surrounding a nosy, sea-battered beach town (release date: July 20th, 2013, Imajin Books). One of his literary goals is to write at least fifty novels, and he reminds himself always of something that Ray Bradbury once said: “You fail only if you stop writing.”

AUTHOR LINKS
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Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

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TOUR SCHEDULE

August 26 – readalot – Review & Giveaway
August 27 – fundinmental – Review & Giveaway
August 28 – Books4Tomorrow – Interview & Giveaway
August 29 – SavingFor6 – Review
August 30 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Interview & Giveaway
August 31 – Kaisy Daisy’s Corner – Review & Giveaway
September 1 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Interview & Giveaway
September 2 – Must Read Faster – Review
September 3 – THE SELF-TAUGHT COOK – Review
September 4 – Musings and Ramblings – Interview & Giveaway
September 5 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review & Giveaway
September 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review & Interview

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Jesse Giles Christionsen is offering for the Giveaway 1 (one) ebook to 1 (one) lucky commenter. International. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

What do you think of the cover?

GIVEAWAY IS OVER AND THE WINNER IS – Sandy. Congratulations!!!

To purchase your copy of Pelican Bay, simply click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Monday Mini – Taking The Fall by Margaret Chatwin

Posted on August 26, 2013 by fundinmental

Okay, I admit it. I sell myself out when it comes to covers. I saw this cover in a giveaway and knew I had to enter. YAY! I won this signed, first edition paperback of Taking The Fall by Margaret Chatwin on the tiffanylovesbooks blog quite a while ago, actually September 24, 2012. I would like to again send my thanks to Margaret and Tiffany. It may take me a while, but I WILL read and review every book I have won.

I love it. An employee that does their job too well. So well, in fact, that it places her life in danger. Enter a man who will betray her. A cabin in the woods. I knew what would happen, but this is a great story about life and the ability to pick yourself up after you have been knocked down. The tension Margaret Chatwin created by very successfully twisting and drawing out the conclusion made me read this cover to cover, unable to stop.

“Your first name should be Independent. Independent Hill.”

Fear is only an emotion. What you do with it will define you.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

To pick up a copy of Margaret Chatwin books, simply click on the cover below.

My Win Announcement on tiffanylovesbooks

Taking The Fall by Margaret Chatwin giveaway on tiffanylovesbooks

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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

Posted on August 23, 2013 by fundinmental

Freakin Friday!

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

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

Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

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Last time I checked this book was FREE ON AMAZON.

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

Carl Delsh lay in bed waiting to die.

He fell asleep and into his nightmare.

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

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

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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

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

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

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

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

Stalk Brian Harmon

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

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

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Fact Or Fiction – Seeds of War by Rachel E Fisher

Posted on August 22, 2013 by fundinmental

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

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

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

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

Two long years they have waited to hear something.

It is time for Reconnection.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fi -Fast/Defense.

Sara- Ruthless/Offense.

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

The only monsters in this book are the human kind.

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

Photo from Backyard Heirloom Seeds

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

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

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

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

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel E Fisher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Review of Eden’s Root by Rachel E Fisher

Posted on August 20, 2013 by fundinmental

I won Eden’s Root and Seeds of War by Rachel E Fisher, signed first edition paperbacks, in a giveaway on The Autumn Review. So I began to read and read and read. Now, I need the other two, Blight and Emergence to finish off my collection.

For a run down on each book in the series, go HERE to see the Launch for the Recipe Tour.

Also, Laura has asked me a few questions. After reading the review, check out my interview and let me know what you think.

Fi Kelly was now the matriarch of the family. Famine had desecrated the population. Hunger, desperation, violence – tens of millions dead. It was up to her to ration food to family members most likely to survive.

2033 – Fi was smart and a bit of a loner. Now, even more so. She knew what was coming and couldn’t share it with anyone.

As her dad lay on his death bed, he told Fi……..about Eden. Why her? She was only 13. She was the one, because she was the smartest and fittest. That would be vital to survival in the days to come.

Fi was frightened, but ready. Her losses had helped prepare her for the warrior she would become. She was a natural. Martial arts and shooting a gun and bow came to her naturally. She would do what had to be done to survive.

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

This book gave me food for thought.

Eden’s Root is a dystopian novel that will have you thinking. Man played God one too many times and brought destruction down on itself.

To me the scenario is totally believable. I read the book slower than I usually read, almost as if it was a history book.

Armegeddon. One day you awake to the sound of automatic weapons. You look out your window to see fires – burned out cars, houses on fire, dead and burned bodies. Ghost towns. Lawlessness, violence, starvation.

The storyline seems so real to me. We are currently messing with our food supply with growth hormones and genetic engineering. Do you notice how a tomato from your garden tastes compare to one from the grocery store?

I always wonder what is happening to us right now. How many times have we been told something is good, only to be told ten years later it causes cancer, or something else.

Can you imagine – one day going about your normal business, the next having to defend yourself against people who want what you have? Can you pull the trigger and kill another person? Would you be able to hunt, gather and fight? It would be like going back in time to the Wild West or worse yet, the caveman days.

Not enough food to go around. Would it be right to starve the sick to save the healthy? The only food available is tainted, unless you can hunt and gather for yourself. How would you survive the harsh climate with no shelter?

Would you trust the government? Yeah right. They have already proved they will throw us to the wolves. Would the haves leave the havenots to fend for themselves?

So many people dead. Your family dead. You are alone. As you venture out, being as inconspicuous as possible, you find small pockets of survivors and begin to rebuild. They become your expanded family because of need. You gather people that can contribute, people with some specialty.

Fi’s world was now all about one thing, survival. She knew they would have to form groups. You cannot survive alone. And the saying, only the strong survive was more true than ever.

Fi – Leader/Child. Warrior/ Healer. Hard/Soft.

When you read the book, you will know why I included this music video.

QUOTES

“Love is like water. You can’t squish it down and make it smaller. No matter how you squeeze it…it just keeps bursting out. So when you lose someone, you don’t lost the love. It stays with you, just as big in your heart as it always was.”

“What would you do if you weren’t sure that you could feed everyone?…..Think about it.”

“Who gets the last space on the life boat? What would you do to get that spot?”

I won Eden’s Root and Seeds of War by Rachel E Fisher, signed first edition paperbacks, in a giveaway on The Autumn Review. Thanks so much to Rachel E Fisher and Autumn.

MY INTERVIEW

Laura: How often do you think about the health and safety of the foods you eat?

ME: This is not something new to me. I have often wondered what growth hormones in our meat and genetically modified grains were doing to us. I often wonder if our children seem to be growing bigger and faster because of the foods they eat. And, how about the taste of some of our grocery store bought fruits and vegetable? Do you think they lack taste?

Laura: Do you have an adventure to share about trying to eat good food?

ME: I guess this isn’t really an adventure, but I am skeptical about good food. If you don’t grow it yourself, does the food you eat contain enough of the vitamins and minerals that it used to before they started growing it bigger and faster and out of season?

Laura: Imagine Rachel’s world really happened for a moment… what sort of pickle would you be in?

ME: No matter what I want to think, I imagine I would be in deep shit. I have watched preppers and I am no where near as prepared as they are. I have been hunting, but I used a camera instead of a rifle. I love plants, but am not much of a gardener. A plant has to be pretty hardy to survive in my world. LOL

Laura: Do you have a RECIPE (or idea for one) you can share?

ME: Since I married my wonderful hubby, I think I have cooked – maybe – half a dozen times. Unless I have a craving, to me food is like fuel for my car. Something I have to have to keep going. I can guarantee you my hubby has something good in his repertoire.

Find your apron and roll up your sleeves… it’s time to celebrate the Eden’s Root Trilogy.

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To pick up your copy of a Rachel E Fisher novel, simply click on the cover below.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

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

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Monday Mini – A delicious tale – Bellyache by Crystal Marcos

Posted on August 19, 2013 by fundinmental

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

A ten year old in a candy store? I can only imagine Peter’s excitement when his parents say he will be spending the day with his grandpa, helping out at the candy store. Candy as far as the eye can see. MMMMMM. YUMMY. Chocolate, squishy gummy bears, strings of licorice, peanut butter cups…..I think we all know where this is going, but it was a great ride getting there. This is a fun and quick read that your inner child may enjoy, as much as the youngsters in the family. Excellent writing. I smiled and laughed as Peter got more than he bargained for. A delicious book with a delicious tale for the delicious child in you or someone you know. I won this signed, first edition paperback of Bellyache from Crystal Marcos. The cover is so cure I couldn’t resist it. I look forward to reading the sequel.

To pick up an Amazon copy of Crystal Marcos’ books, simply click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

Beware of Rest Areas – Stranded by Alex Kava

Posted on August 17, 2013 by fundinmental

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

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

HE considered himself an expert on serial killers.

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

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blackwater River by Ebyabe

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

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

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

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

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

Thunderstorm by Bidgee

QUOTES

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

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

Smorgasbord of travelers – his victims.

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

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

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

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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Giveaway/Review-Lucky Phoo by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon

Posted on August 15, 2013 by fundinmental

I couldn’t resist this book when I saw the cover. It is not a genre I usually review, Children’s Mid-Grade, but Phoo was just so cute I couldn’t resist him. How can you look him in the eye and say no. LOL. What a fun cover!

Lucky Phoo

Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon

Genre: Children’s Mid Grade

Publisher: Imajin Books

Date of Publication: August 1, 2013

Number of pages: 109

Word Count: 43,000

Cover Artist: Ryan Doan

imajinbooks.com, amazon.com, luckyphoo.com and www.staciadeutsch.com

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Seventh grade best friends, Caylie Jiang-Kahn, Lauren Blindell, and Sabrina Robinson have busy middle school lives.

Sabrina wants to make a movie about their friendship, but a stray dog shows up and ruins the day. In frustration, Lauren curses, “Oh Phooey.” The name sticks. The crazy mutt will forever be named Phoo.

Sabrina pieces together bits of the footage she shot. She highlights Phoo’s silly antics and puts the video up on a movie contest website.

The video goes viral and suddenly, Lauren, Caylie, and Sabrina are celebrities at school. When a volunteer at the dog shelter sees the film, she assumes the dog belongs to the girls and calls them to come collect Phoo.

The girls arrange to take turns caring for Phoo until he can be adopted.

While sharing Phoo, Caylie, Sabrina and Lauren begin to notice that if the dog is around, lucky things seem to happen. The moment he’s gone…the luck disappears.

When they all need the dog’s magic at the same time, it’s up to the girls to decide once and for all: Is Phoo truly a lucky dog?

REVIEW BLURBS FOR LUCKY PHOO

“With punchy dialogue and a fast moving pace, LUCKY PHOO takes readers on a wild adventure as three friends try to share fostering duties of a lovable stray dog.” —Marianne Mitchell, author of FIREBUG

“Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon are two very best friends who write books together, which is very lucky for their readers. You’ll want to share LUCKY PHOO with all your friends, too!” —Jennifer J. Stewart, author of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A THIRD WORLD KIND, Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award List; Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award List; Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award List

“LUCKY PHOO is a great story about friendship, love and responsibility–Phoo, the lucky dog who wanders into Sabrina’s, Caylie’s and Lauren’s world is indeed lucky–although maybe not as lucky as these girls whose life he changes.” —Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of STUCK IN NEUTRAL

“Okay, full disclosure: I LOVE good, strong, dog stories–Lucky Phoo is precisely one of those!” —Terry Trueman, Printz Honor Author of STUCK IN NEUTRAL

EXCERPT

Mrs. Salinas was ready to go. “So if you girls are sure you can’t take him any longer, I’ll just head on over to the van―” She took a few steps forward then turned back to the girls. “You’re sure you can’t foster him any longer?”

“I can’t,” Sabrina said, her voice tight and sad.

“Not me,” Lauren confirmed.

“I might be able to squeeze out another weekend,” Caylie said, “but we’d be back here on Monday.”

“Right,” Mrs. Salinas said. “And at least this way he has a chance of getting adopted in Fresno.”

She took a few more steps towards the van. The rain, to Lauren, seemed to be coming down harder. The drops blended in with her tears now. And looking at Caylie and Sabrina, Lauren couldn’t tell, but was pretty sure they were crying, too.

Mrs. Salina’s stopped one more time, just at the edge of the parking lot. “It was great having him,” she said. “Wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Lauren agreed. “Great.”

“We had fun,” Caylie said.

“Fun,” Sabrina repeated the word. “Yeah. We had a good time.”

Mrs. Salinas nodded. “I thought so.” She looked down at the dog, then back at the girls. “Tell me,” she said, her voice soft, drippy like the rain. “Weren’t things better when Phoo was around?”

The remark caught Lauren off-guard. What was Mrs. Salinas talking about?

“I think she’s right,” Lauren said, turning to Caylie and Sabrina. “Things have been going better than usual for me lately.”

“You don’t think he might have some kind of powers?” Sabrina looked over at Mrs. Salinas who was now at the van, loading Phoo inside.

“Well,” Caylie said, considering.

“I think maybe,” Lauren said tentatively. “I saw this show about luck and how―” Lauren stopped herself mid-sentence when she saw Mrs. Salinas push Phoo into an empty carrying cage. His voice joined the choir of barking dogs and was the loudest of them all.

In a sudden move, the girls rushed forward to stop the truck, shouting together, “Mrs. Salinas! Wait!”

MY REVIEW of Lucky Phoo by Rhody Cohon and Stacia Deutsch

Sabrina was directing Caylie and Lauren in her movie – VBF’s (very best friends).

“CUT,” Sabrina yells.

The dirty, mangy looking dog walked into view, peed on a tree, then made himself cozy right in the middle of her shot.

Her three minute movie went viral.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

The book is all about three best friends and the trials and tribulations of growing up.

I am a dog lover, so when I saw the cute cover, I couldn’t resist. Sometimes a book outside my usual genres is a nice change of pace. This book has all the elements of a great read-characters that are realistic, a storyline that is believable and descriptions and details that make me able to visualize things as they are happening. Plenty of humor to make this a very fun read.

The authors do a great job of describing the growing pains of a tween. How mean and cruel twelve year olds can be and how things can seem like the end of the world.

But the authors also show us how creative children are and how they believe their dreams can come true, believe nothing is impossible.

Phoo – is he their lucky charm? Everything seems better when he is around. It seems like he was talking to them and trying to help them.

Fifi – foo foo dog in a bag.

Sabrina – her dad was grooming her to be a world champ tennis player.

Lauren – her mother has cancer – the C word. When most people hear that they think it is a death sentence. As scary as that is for adults, imagine how terrifying it can be for a child.

Caylie – needs a job. Her parents are divorced and she is shuttled back and forth. .

Quotes

“Oh Phooey on you, little picnic party pooper!”

“So long to you, Phoo! That name fits hims perfectly.”

“Everybody needs a little phoo.” Fu means luck in Chinese.

The tour and author provided an Arc for review.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Stacia Deutsch Rhody Cohon wishes she could adopt a million pets! Until her house is big enough she’ll pamper the few she has and help others find the perfect home.

Find Rhody at www.rhodycohon.com.

Stacia Deutsch sits at the keyboard crafting stories all day and then, plays with her own crazy, lucky, dog at night. She and her three kids live in Southern California. You can visit Stacia at www.staciadeutsch.com or on twitter at @staciadeutsch.

Stacia’s Website / Rhody’s Website / Stacia’s Blog / Stacia’s Twitter

Author Facebook Page / Post your pet photos and videos Facebook Page

Stacia’s LinkedIn / Stacia’s Goodreads / Stacia’s Amazon Author Page

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TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY

Be sure and check out this awesome giveaway for the child in your family or in YOU.