Werewolves – Review – A Beast Within by Aidan Lucid @TheZargothian

Posted on November 30, 2023 by fundinmental

MY REVIEW

A man…on a lonely road…trying to do a good deed. His family is attacked by werewolves, but they get away….

I love Prologues, and A Beast Within by Aidan Lucid hooked me opening page.

Jeremy wanted to go straight, put his criminal life behind him. He is determined to make it so his mother didn’t regret helping him…again. He hits all the pitfalls and discrimination of real life criminals. He was so dejected he made the call to Stephen. We all know this will end badly.

They are on the run, after a failed bank heist. A quiet farmhouse holds a dark secret, and these three criminals are going to get more than they bargained for.

So many scenarios ran through my mind. I had a feeling…maybe…but I had to wait for Aidan Lucid to finish his story. He kept me guessing, but I was very happy with the ending.

A Beast Within is a quick read, a novella filled with action that runs at a quick pace from beginning to end.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Have you experienced true terror? For three criminals, they’re about to face it head-on!Fresh out of prison, Jeremy vows to steer clear of a life of crime and clean up his act. But he quickly realizes that to the world, he will always be an ex-con and plunges back into his old ways. The perfect opportunity presents itself in the form of his best friend, Stephen, and his spunky girlfriend, Natalie.After a failed bank robbery, Jeremy and his accomplices’ identities are made. So, they find refuge in the home of a typical Christian family. Their getaway should have been smooth sailing…after all it was three armed criminals against the wholesome Boyd family.But the Boyds are hiding dark secrets of their own…Get the latest pulse-pounding, thrilling novella by Aidan Lucid today! “I loved this story. From the first page I was hooked! There are twists and turns.” – Hanna (Booksirens reviewer).“Lucid does it again with characters you can root for and action that holds you on the edge of your seat. Beware the beasts that prowl at night!” – Priscilla Bettis, author.

Genre: Fiction, Horror
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 10, 2023

ABOUT AIDAN LUCID

Aidan was born in July 28th, 1981 in County Kerry, Ireland. Growing up, he always loved reading books, especially those in the fantasy genre. Books on the supernatural also filled his shelves as a kid and still do to this today.

Mr. Lucid’s journey as a writer began back in 2002 after having a religious experience. In 2004, he plucked up the courage to send out some of my material to magazines, newspapers etc. and seven items Aidan wrote were published that year. For the next two years Aidan received diplomas of distinction in creative writing and freelance journalism.

Back in April 2005 Aidan began writing, The Lost Son, which was then under a different title. In 2010 it was published by a Texas-based publisher but in 2013, he left that publisher. Mr. Lucid listened to feedback from readers on the novel and made some changes, adding new characters, fleshing out the story a bit more etc. Fast-forward to October 2019, Jongleur Books published The Lost Son.

Aidan Lucid says, “Writing is my life and it fills me with joy to see people enjoy my works. It’s my aim to let people escape the mundane world we live in and get carried away by the adventures both in The Zargothian Saga books and other future works that will be released over the next few years. As an author, I love listening to the feedback readers give me. It’s always fun to meet and engage with the audience. I love doing interviews and talking about my writing journey, hoping that it will inspire another author to pursue their dream.”

In July of 2023, Lucid finally achieved another one of his goals. The Lost Son (Second Edition) was awarded the Silver Literary Titan Book Award. Now he can finally say that he is an, “award-winning author”.

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Giveaway & Review – The Dolphin Dentist by Cheryl DaVeiga @ireadbooktours @BiffBamBooza

Posted on November 29, 2023 by fundinmental

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Dolphin Dentist: No Sharks Allowed by Cheryl DaVeiga
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 44 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Waterhole Productions LLC
Release date:   November, 2023
Content Rating: G. This children’s book is for everyone.

MY REVIEW

As soon as I saw The Dolphin Dentists by Cheryl DaVeiga, I had to have it. I love anything to do with marine life, oceans and seas. The illustrations are vibrant and amusing, sure to catch the eye of a child of any age. The characters are fun and endearing. Even a great white shark can be afraid of something. And who does like going to the dentist? Not me. What is the dentist afraid of? Sharks.

It is poetically written, with a rhythm that is easy to read along to. I had a smile on my face all the way through. I cannot imagine a child not being enchanted by The Dolphin Dentist. I sure was. I loved it and it will help a child (or all of us) realize, we are all afraid of something, but to face it before it becomes an even bigger problem, is the best solution. I give it five shining stars.

Book Description:

COMING SOON! A “Fin-tastic” adventure Like No Other!

Fearless Flossy, a mighty great white shark, has a secret—she’s terrified of going to the dentist. Dr. Dribble, the big-hearted dolphin dentist, has a jaw-dropping fear of his own, and a strict “No Sharks Allowed” policy. When Fearless Flossy makes an unannounced visit to Dr. Dribble’s office, it’s the start of an underwater adventure like no other! This ‘fin-tastic’ story is must-read for kids and parents alike. Young readers will be immersed in a tale of courage, compassion, and conquering fear, while giggling and cheering for these unlikely friends along the way.

Dive in with a big Biff Bam Booza smile.

Buy the Book
Biff Bam Booza
Amazon
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Cheryl DaVeiga is an award-winning children’s book author and singer/songwriter residing in New Jersey. After a career in business, Cheryl’s passion for music caught up with her, and she began writing and recording children’s songs as her alter ego, CADi Grace. She then moved on to adult songs, including an ASCAP award-winning veteran’s anthem, the featured song for the State of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration, the theme song to the philanthropic Where Angels Play Foundation, and a NJ Arts’ pick for top NJ summer songs. She’s also written songs for artists on critically acclaimed albums.

You can find her books and animated sing-along song videos on her website for kids and kid-lovers– BiffBamBooza.com.

Biff Bam Booza books have received numerous awards and acclaim, including Mom’s Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly, Eric Hoffer, and Literary Titan book awards, a Readers’ Favorite 5-star rating, and a Kirkus Review Magazine feature.

Cheryl lives in Tucson, Arizona, and spends summers in her native New Jersey.

connect with the authors: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

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Review – Ahriman: The Spirit Of Destruction by Puja Guha @GuhaPuja

Posted on November 28, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love a book that can get all my emotions roiling and Puja Guha did just that with Ahriman. From gut wrenching sorrow, to savage torture, to a love that will break all the rules, I was hooked from beginning to end.

We start off with a late night call and Kasem races to meet Lila. And, we begin the story of Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction.

We will travel from New York to Kuwait.

Years later, Petra is awakened by an early morning call, cutting short her vacation.

We are in Kuwait. Their is political unrest. There are those that are pushing for Sharia law, wanting to role back any progress they have gained, but the Emir has other ideas. Seeing what is happening in the world today, we all know that is a possibility.

May 15, 2021, is a date that will change the face of the Middle East forever, or will it? What is the plan? Can it be stopped?

Petra had retired from active field duty, but she was the only agent suitable for the job. She has struggled with PTSD and I wonder what happened to cause it. Her career hinges on her decision. They are, more or less, blackmailing her into doing it. And, she will be on her own. It makes me wonder how these undercover operations work in real life. The Agency is a swift action oriented organization that members around the world agreed to. It allows for action without all the oversight and approvals that other organizations may require.

Petra has an incentive to come home from this mission. She has a significant other, Grant, who is also an agent, and though she hasn’t said those three little words, he has. His specialty is IT, and it will come in handy.

We travel from the past to the present and back again as Puja Guha fills in all the blanks and keeps us informed of current events. Terrorism. Betrayal from your own always cuts the deepest. Tragic terrorist actions will change Kasem and Petra’s lives forever.

Kasem didn’t deserve the hand he was dealt. I feel so bad for him and I don’t see a good ending for him. Will Lila ever know the truth? Will Kasem?

General Mayed…evil…I hope he gets taken down in a brutal, savage way. Do unto others should apply to him.

Puja Guha has written a realistic novel of terrorism, betrayal, and love. The manipulation and psychological torture was so real. Ahriman is the story of the creation of an assassin. In the spy game, we have to watch out for those rogue elements that can change history. It makes me wonder how an intelligence agency can keep track of all the double crosses and convoluted ‘missions’ among so many players.

This amazing debut novel brings to mind a suspense series that I have been following for years, the Leine Basso series by D V Berkom. A lone woman agent is sent in to stop a terrorist action that will reverberate around the world. I can’t think of a thing I would change about Ahriman and I never figured out all the double crosses, betrayals, and the ending. There will be more and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.

GOODREADS BLURB

“Like Grisham and Clancy… this title shines among the genre simply though superb storytelling.” -The US Review of Books

The Day of the Jackal meets Syriana in the near future.

When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran’s deadliest assassins.

It was the year when global economies continued to plummet despite analysts’ predictions of a turnaround.
It was the year when the Kuwaiti National Assembly consisted of the largest Islamic contingent in more than two decades.
It was the month when the price of oil plunged to twenty dollars a barrel.
It was the month when the Emir of Kuwait dissolved the National Assembly for the thirteenth time in fifteen years.
It was the day when the head of the Islamic majority of the Assembly hired an assassin and the CIA intercepted intelligence about a new wave of terrorist attacks.
It was the day that would change the face of the Middle East forever.

It was May 15, 2021.

After a disastrous mission forces her out of the field, Petra Shirazi retires from a life of espionage to work in a research position. Three years later, her division stumbles upon a money trail that reveals a massive new wave of terrorist attacks. The money trail places her in the midst of an assassination plot that implicates the highest levels of the Kuwaiti and Iranian governments. Petra will find herself face to face with the Ahriman, a man named for the Persian spirit of destruction who is responsible for a series of bomb blasts that paralyzed the Suez Canal two years earlier. As the investigation begins to unravel, the ripple effects threaten to engulf not only the Middle East and its Western allies, but also the darkest secrets of Petra’s past.

Genre: Fiction, Military, Political, Suspense, Thriller
Paperback
First published June 15, 2014

ABOUT PUJA GUHA

Puja Guha draws upon her experiences from traveling and living around the world in her writing. She has lived in Kuwait, Toronto, Paris, London, and several American cities including New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Each of these places and many more show up in her writing as her travel to places such as Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Guinea-Bissau inspire more and more story ideas. She also uses her experience working in international finance and development with the World Bank and Oliver Wyman to delve into global political themes in both her thrillers and literary fiction.

She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master’s degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.

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Flabberghasted – A Road To Nowhere by Ted Galdi @TedGaldi

Posted on November 27, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Road To Nowhere is a short story, 25 pages, by Ted Galdi, so there isn’t a lot I can say about it. I was reading along, thinking I knew what was going on. A guy picks up an abandoned girl, offering her a truck ride to town. It’s all about the ending, and it was a surprise! Ted Galdi got me and I loved that. I do have another book of his, and after being caught off guard in A Road To Nowhere, I am eager to see what he has to offer in Lion On Fire, a novella.

GOODREADS BLURB

Where nowhere is the only place to escape

An empty highway at midnight in Montana. A serial killer on the loose. An abandoned girl who desperately needs a ride. A man in a pickup truck offering to help. The surprising consequences of her getting inside.

Do you like quick reads?

Do you like hold-your-breath suspense?

Do you like shocking endings?

Then you’ll love A Road to Nowhere, the first short story by Ted Galdi, an Amazon #1 bestselling author who’s won Reader Views and Readers’ Favorite awards, and been featured by FOX, ABC, and iHeartRadio. He’s the author of the novels Elixir, An American Cage, and Lion on Fire, and the short stories Hazel Is Missing, Intrusion, and The Split.

Get your copy of this hit short story today and take a ride in a pickup truck so surprising you’ll be thinking about it for days.

Genre: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Format: 25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published: January 7, 2017 by Precipice Books

ABOUT TED GALDI

Ted Galdi, an Amazon #1 bestselling author, writes suspenseful, smart crime thrillers. His goal is to get your blood and brain pumping when you read his novels and short stories.

He’s been featured by Kirkus magazine, ABC, FOX, iHeartRadio, and many other media outlets. He’s a winner of a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and a Silver Medal in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. Ted is a graduate of Duke University.

To learn more about him and download a free bestselling crime thriller, visit his website at tedgaldi.com.

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Giveway & Review – The Immortal Detective by D B Woodling @partnersincr1me @DBWoodling

Posted on November 27, 2023 by fundinmental

Beginning tomorrow, November 28th the ebook will only cost 99₵. Be sure to share this great deal … and grab yourself a copy before it ends on December 8th!

Amazon / Kindle Unlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Immortal Detective by D B Woodling is the total package. At first it was the title that drew be into Celeste’s vampiric world, then I saw the amazing cover, then I read the blurb, and I loved every minute I spent there.

Celeste never would have chosen her undead life. Her mother, father, and brother, as well as her lover, Tristan were all vampires…and she hated them all. Because she is a decorated detective, her family petitioned the powers that be to imbue her with many of their gifts. With all the calamity in the world, she could fulfill a purpose. She would also be tasked with bringing those deserving into the fold, increasing their numbers. Their actions can, and will, change the world.

I love how they can morph into fantastical creatives, teleport, time travel, fly, read minds, implant suggestions, and so much more. It takes Celeste some time to get a handle on her powers, but the Elders will be there to assist her when necessary.

Celeste has an adopted daughter, Raina, and a flamboyant, gay vampire nanny, Fane, who live with her in her beloved Victorian home. Even baby vampires are children, frightened by nightmares…or premonitions. I became enamored with these characters and want more of them.

I love the dialogue between Raina and Fane…fun, fun, fun. He knows how to distract her from the bad, put a smile on her face, and entertain her while her mommy is fighting crime. I love that Celeste and Raina sleep together in the same coffer. Talk about cuddle time.

Celeste is a detective with the Kansas City Police. She will put her powers to the test as she endeavors to eliminate a sex trafficking ring. Lots of action. A choice will be made and I love it. The choice can definitely lead to another book in the series.

I missed reading the first book in the series, The Immortal Twin, and I feel I would have connected to the characters better if I knew their back story. Sometimes I forget to check and see if a book is part of a series and I wish I would have read the the books in order, but I can still recommend The Immortal Detective. I just recommend reading The Immortal Twin first.

ABOUT THE IMMORTAL DETECTIVE

Sometimes being immortal makes you wish you were dead.

Celeste Crenshaw has survived her parents’ grisly murders, grueling and gender-biased police training, a battle with rogue vampires, and even her own death. While immortality might seem a dream come true, can she accept the strings attached?

Celeste spends the start of her immortal life being mentored by the Elders of the Hollow Earth. They release her once they feel certain Celeste has honed her supernatural powers. But little do they know, Celeste isn’t wholly committed to granting eternal life to those deserving. Upon a return home to her immortal lover, and the Kansas City Detective Squad, she battles mortal foes, not so unlike the demonic undead. And when a fellow detective falls victim to a murderous gang member, Celeste faces a gut-wrenching decision and the possible wrath of the Elders.

Praise for The Immortal Detective:

“…impressive vampiric worldbuilding {with} a fascinating cast.”
~Publishers Weekly

“A new, original, fresh, fascinating and fun take on the Vampire genre. THE IMMORTAL DETECTIVE by D. B. Woodling is a “must read” pick for the legions of vampire fiction fans and an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Fantasy Fiction collections. Exceptionally well written…”
~Midwest Book Review

Book Details:

Genre: Paranormal, Detective Mystery, Fantasy Hybrid
Published by: CamCat Books
Publication Date: March 2023
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780744308013 (ISBN10: 0744308011)
Series: The Immortal Detective, 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | CamCat Books

ABOUT D B WOODLING

Acquiring an early appreciation of prose written by Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, and the audacious Stephen King, Woodling chose to follow in their intimidating footsteps, evidenced by The Immortal Twin (CamCat Books 2020) and The Immortal Detective, released by CamCat Books, March 2023. She recently completed a supernatural small-town murder mystery and has a Hollywood whodunit in the works, with Book Two of The Immortal Detective series vying for her attention. Woodling is a multi-genre author, and The Immortal Detective is her eighth novel.

Catch Up With D. B. Woodling:
www.DBWoodling.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @DBWoodling
Instagram – @DBWoodling
Twitter/X – @DBWoodling
Facebook – @DBWoodling
Pinterest – @DBWoodling

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Vampire Romance – Bloody Billionaire by Kay Widow @KayWidow @booksirens

Posted on November 26, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I keep getting confused about all the Bloody Billionaire’s by Kay Widow, but I keep grabbing the books. They are quick reads, filled with vampires and romance. Right up my alley.

Quinn is the king and feels like he can do as he pleases, slaughtering humans left and right, leaving them for others to clean up. One of the problems, he eliminates their food supply and his inability to control his thirst could be his downfall.

In comes Tessa, his blood therapist, but she has an ulterior motive. She wants immortality for her and her sisters, and she must kill the king to get it. There is one problem….her attraction to the king.

The steamy sex scenes are smoking hot, even when its only in her head. The violence is graphic and gruesome.

Become a servant they said. It will be fun they said. And gods, they had no idea how fun it had become.

They fight their attraction for different reasons. Quinn because he cannot marry a commoner and Tessa because she must kill or be killed. I love the twist that Kay Widow throws into the mix and I wondered how she would do it. Do what, you ask? Well, if I told you, it would give too much away, so you’ll have t find out for yourself.

GOODREADS BLURB

“My blood has never burned like this before…”

Tessa knows her mission: Infiltrate the estate of vampire king Quinn Rodin and end his undead life.

This deal with the ruthless King Marr will grant her and her sisters immortality, but only if Tessa kills Quinn, Marr’s enemy.

As Quinn’s personal “bloodbag,” Tessa lives in the vampire’s mansion while spying on her target.

Yet when Quinn sinks his fangs into her flesh, Tessa discovers unexpected heat raging through her veins. His bite stirs a dangerous longing that clouds her judgment and threatens her task.

The vampire king’s allure captivates her, even as his unearthly powers put her life at risk.
And Tessa struggles between restoring her focus and indulging the enemy’s temptation.

Each night Quinn’s bite unravels her and carnal hunger replaces duty. But at what cost?

Her sisters are counting on her, and King Marr does not tolerate failure.

With immortality on the line, Tessa must master her thirst for Quinn’s embrace and regain her wits before his wicked bite destroys her from within.

Bloody Billionaire is a supernatural romantic thriller that will keep you turning pages until the breathtaking end. For fans of dangerous trysts, forbidden passions, and lethal creatures of the night.

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

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MY KAY WIDOW REVIEWS

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A SciFi Western Novella – Sunset On Maior Pales by Benjamin X Wretlind @bxwretlind

Posted on November 24, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Law 1: Not to kill

Law 2: Obey

Law 3: And here is the conundrum…Cletus, a robot, cannot harm a human, but he cannot let humans come to harm by not acting, and that is where he falls into the trap.

I have read several of Benjamin X Wretlind’s in depth novels and loved them, so when I saw Sunset On Maior Pales, a SciFi, western novella, I had to give it a shot. I love the cover, but the story fell a bit short for me. Is it because my expectations were very high, or it wasn’t a good fit for me, but I loved the ending. Regardless, I will read anything Benjamin writes.

GOODREADS BLURB

CYN-4329-2316-ACBS-092134853a–known to itself as Cletus and assigned a male gender in one of its first acts as an AI consciousness–has a bug in its programming. Against all logic, the ghost of a young man has muddled its circuits and promised to give it a soul…provided one small thing that only a self-aware robot with a yearning to self-actualize can do.

After centuries of exploration, humans are finally on the move to settle new worlds. To better facilitate settlement, advance teams of sentient robots have been sent ahead to build new towns and roll out the red carpet for the arrival of their masters. Now, just one month before the big event known as Arrival, Cletus is about to mess it all up.

The ghost of Boone Richards claims his family was murdered hundreds of years ago, and on board the shuttle that will deliver the humans to the western-themed town of Free Point, the direct descendant of that murderer has put together a gang of other outlaws to wreak havoc on the newly dubbed planet Maior Pales. When the ghost of Boone’s sister, Delphine, speaks up, Cletus finds himself faced with a dilemma for which its programming is incapable of processing.

How do you follow orders when doing so would break one law but not doing so would break another? And just how does a robot gain a soul?

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Novellas and Short Stories, Western
115 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2022

ABOUT BENJAMIN X WRETLIND (from Amazon)

Benjamin, a multi-genre author, ran with scissors when he was five. He now writes, paints, uses sharp woodworking tools and plays with glue. Sometimes he does these things at the same time.

He is the author of the dystopian novel Beneath Gehenna, the psychological horror Castles, Sketches from the Spanish Mustang (literary fiction), Sunset on Maior Pales (a sci-fi western) and other novels and novellas.

Benjamin lives with his wife Jesse in Colorado.

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Etsy

MY BENJAMIN X WRETLIND REVIEWS

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Review – If The Light Escapes Us by Brenda Marie Smith @GoddessFish @bsmithnovelist

Posted on November 23, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

If The Light Escapes Us by Brenda Marie Smith can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend beginning with Book I in the Braving The Light Series, If The Darkness Takes Us. An electromagnetic pulse has created an apocalypse and their Austin, Texas neighborhood has become dangerous and unable to sustain their small community long term. Decisions will need to me made, and disagreements will arise.

It’s four months after If The Darkness Takes Us.

The story is told through Keno’s voice, a teenager forced into adulthood before his time. He is not the only one, and when his wife, Alma, becomes pregnant he vows to protect her with his life. The choices seem monumental and his nightmares haunt him. Alma, grounds him and helps him see that everything is a process. One step leads to the next and the next and the next….

Milo can be reckless and I saw what was coming. I hated it, but, thank goodness, Mazie has a connection with him that nobody understands. I also knew there would be another character or two that would cause trouble.

We shall see, in If The Sun Spares Us and I can hardly wait!

GOODREADS BLURB

The standalone sequel to IF DARKNESS TAKES US. A solar electromagnetic pulse has fried the US grid. Now, northern lights are in Texas—three thousand miles farther south than where they belong. The universe won’t stop screwing with eighteen-year-old Keno Simms. All that’s left for him and his broken family is farming their Austin subdivision, trying to eke out a living on poor soil in the scorching heat. Keno’s one solace is his love for Alma, who has her own secret sorrows. When he gets her pregnant, he vows to keep her alive no matter what. Yet armed marauders and nature itself collude against him, forcing him to make choices that rip at his conscience. If the Light Escapes is post-apocalyptic science fiction set in a near-future reality, a coming-of-age story told in the voice of a heroic teen who’s forced into manhood too soon

Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Science Fiction
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2021 by Southern Fried Karma
Series: Braving The Light, Book 2

ABOUT BRENDA MARIE SMITH

BRENDA MARIE SMITH is attracted to stories where everyday characters transcend their limitations to find their inner heroism. She lived off the grid for years in a farming collective where her sons were delivered by midwives. A lifelong community activist, Brenda has managed student co-op housing, produced concerts, and raised a small herd of boys. She and her husband live in Kyle, Texas. They have more grown kids and grandkids than they can count.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Website: https://brendamariesmith.com
Blog: https://brendamariesmith.tumblr.com
Twitter: @bsmithnovelist
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJlLSnORIyoaygvZ1j49ZKw

Buy Links for the Braving the Light Series:

IF DARKNESS TAKES US (Book One): https://amzn.to/3Q6TvKU
For IF THE LIGHT ESCAPES (Book Two): https://amzn.to/464zPOD
IF THE SUN SPARES US (Book Three): https://amzn.to/3LzIpwA

MY BRENDA MARIE SMITH REVIEWS

If The Darkness Takes Us

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Curse Of The Brides – Inheritance by Nora Roberts #NetGalley #Inheritance #NoraRoberts

Posted on November 21, 2023 by fundinmental

I want to thank NetGalley and St Martins Press for the opportunity to read and review Inheritance by Nora Roberts.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

“You will never have him,” she says. “Die a bride, and know he’ll come to me. He will come to me, or by your blood on my tongue, bride after bride will join you in death.”

And the curse begins. It will be up to Sonya MacTavish, a graphic designer who inherited the manor from her unknown uncle, Collin Poole, to solve the mystery and lift the curse.

Sonya had a bad breakup with a huge douche bag, and I love what her best friend, Cleo had to say:

“What do you want me to do?…Tell me what you want, and it’s done. Murder? Decapitation? Castration?”

I think we could all use a best friend like that. LOL

Sonya had been thinking about branching out on her own and now was the time. Would the ghosts of the manor be a help or a hindrance. Most of them are on her side, but there is always one, isn’t there? I would love to have some help around the house, and Sonya has her very own ghostly maid. She leaves her bedroom and comes back, the bed is made. She leaves the kitchen a mess, comes back and it is cleaned up. Forget to charge your phone, they have you covered. Even ghosts want a purpose.

Those around Sonya accept the ghosts, but Sonya hesitates.

The point of view flashes past to present and back again. We get all of their histories, ghosts and humans, and Sonya will need all the help she can get to break the curse. We have a combination of modern and gothic.

This light and fun mystery is full of surprises and I loved each and every one. The characters quickly won me over, ghosts and human alike…even the dogs have a place of honor. Cold pizza, I love it too, even for breakfast. Little things that I can relate to on a personal level add that little bit extra that I love so much. I had plenty of smiles to go along with the creepy.

The mirror…made me think of Charmed and Grimm. TV shows make it easy for me to visualize the action as it is happening.

NO NO NO a cliffhanger. So wrong!!!!! But I couldn’t put it down and I HAVE TO HAVE the next one, and the next one. I knew it was a trilogy going in and the story would not be told in one book, but when I came to the end, I wasn’t expecting it. That is how involved I was in the story. I foresee good things for the next two books and I can hardly wait to visit the manor again.

GOODREADS BLURB

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts―a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about―and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth―and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease―and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Genres: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Format: 448 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication: November 21, 2023 by St. Martin’s Press
Series: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book I

ABOUT NORA ROBERTS

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 — The Becoming — the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

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Giveaway & Review – Maya’s Tiny Warriors by Manasi Vegesna @ireadbooktours

Posted on November 20, 2023 by fundinmental

I Read children’s books off and on, along with teen, young adult, right up to the dark and gritty, but especially during the holiday season I like to share books that make good gift ideas for the holiday season.

Book Details:

Book Title:  Maya’s Tiny Warriors by Manasi Vegesna
Category: Children’s Fiction (ages 4 to 8), 32 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Manasi Vegesna
Release date:   Oct 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

MY REVIEW

Maya’s Tiny Warrior’s by Manasi Vegesna is a wonderful introduction to science for a young child. It is recommended for ages 4 – 8, and though they may not grasp the concept in full, the colorful, fun illustrations may capture their curiosity. I strongly believe in education and feel that learning something new is always a good thing, even if they don’t understand it all. It will come to them as they reread the book, or pick up another with science as the topic. It is never too early to learn about our bodies and how they function. Small steps…

Book Description:

On the first day of school, Maya wakes up with a terrible flu. As she sneezes, coughs, and burns up with a fever, she can’t quite understand why she is sick. And why isn’t she getting better?

Thankfully for her, there are tiny warriors in her body that are battling for her well-being. Follow these warriors as they fight to keep Maya safe in this epic showdown between the immune system and the flu.

For ages 4-8, this book is perfect for young kids learning how their body works. By accompanying Maya’s warriors on their journey, readers will better understand their immune systems and illnesses.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Manasi Vegesna is a passionate author from Arizona who is interested in biology and medicine. She has utilized her love for immunology in order to help future young generations face their sickness with courage. In the future, she hopes to further dive into the wonders of science through more imaginative stories. Currently a high school senior, she continues to remain curious. When she’s not doing her homework, you can catch her playing the violin or reading a book. Or, she’s probably binging Disney movies.

connect with author: website ~ X/twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway: